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Home My WebLink AboutPublic Testimony Received by WPC-finalFrom:Surprenant, April To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Public Comments Date:Friday, October 25, 2024 2:36:06 PM From: Carter C Collins <carter@solarmatters.org> Date: Tue, Oct 1, 2024 at 3:08 PM Subject: Eleventh-hour request To: <april.surprenant@hawaiicounty.gov> Good morning, April. I'm looking forward to seeing you and your crew today here in North Kohala. I have an important request that I hope you can attend to once I am there, or before if possible. My deep apology for the eleventh-hour tardiness, which is based on my impairment. Please consider adding these two definitions to the appropriate place in the General Plan for North Kohala or other island districts · Green Energy Park - A designated area or facility focused on the production and promotion of renewable energy sources. This can include solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy technologies. The park often features installations like solar panels, wind turbines, and educational centers that showcase sustainable energy practices. The goal is to generate clean energy while also raising awareness about renewable technologies and their benefits. · Sustainability Park - A space designed to promote and demonstrate sustainable living practices. This type of park may incorporate various elements such as community gardens, eco-friendly buildings, water conservation systems, and educational programs on sustainability. It aims to create an environment where visitors can learn about and engage in sustainable practices, fostering a community-oriented approach to environmental stewardship and resource management. If I don't hear back before I see you, I'll check in with you at the meeting. Mahalo. Warm regards, Carter October 21, 2024 Members of the Windward Planning Commission c/o Dept. Of Planning County of Hawaii 101 Aupuni St Hilo, Hi. 96720 Re: Hawaii County General Plan Comprehensive Review Notice of Proposed Change in Parcel Designation My name is Marita Cauley, sole owner of property located at 111 Lihikai Rd (TMK: 321014021). Born and raised on Hawai’i island, I am the 4th generation since immigration from Portugal. Both my husband and I were dedicated public servants. I worked at the Office of Housing and Community Development for 38 Years. My husband, who has since passed, worked as a professor at the University of Hawai at Hilo for 30 years. This my written testimony in strong opposition to the existing LUPAG (Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide) to the proposed GPLU (General Plan Use). In 1979, my husband purchased this quaint house on an undeveloped beach. The house was built in 1930. This house is my home; my most valuable asset. Not too many local families are fortunate to live on beach front property. I envisioned someday I would be able to use this prized asset to defer the rising cost of long term care. If I am fortunate to not need long term care then it would be gifted to my family. They too would be able to enjoy my special place on the beach. If the proposed GPLU is approved, this may be impossible. My property value will plummet. Who would want to inherit/purchase a house in which the land use has been downgraded to recreational use only. They would not be able to improve or rebuild on this small parcel of land. In addition, I support the idea to keep Keaukaha-Keaukaha. Let us preserve our natural coastline. Keaukaha does not need another developed beach park that will be frequented by more tourists than locals. I can only imagine this beach area filled with buses of tourists. This will also affect my neighbors. We live on a one lane road and traffic will be both horrendous and dangerous. It could be a deterrent for Emergency vehicle access for residents. In conclusion, if the new proposed land use is adopted, my property value will be reduced to nearly zero and Keaukaha will not be Keaukaha. I am not requesting the entire plan be disapproved. I am only requesting that the land use of the property at 111 Lihikai Rd be left as is. Thank you for allowing me to submit my written testimony. Marita Cauley Planning commission members,As a life-long resident of the Big Island I am providing you with my feedback on the proposed Hawaii General plan 2045. The main point is that this General Plan needs to bethrown out and redone. Here are some of the reasons why: · The plan is too vague. The language is not clear as to what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are many concerning sections in this plan that reads like ourpersonal rights, freedoms, and property rights are at risk of being taken awaywithout due process. Where is the caveat of the constitutional limitations that thisplanning document is limited to? This document reads as if there are noconstitutional limitations on what this plan can do, and of the powers which thisplan is intending its enforcers to wield. · Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into thecounties open space network." This reads like you'll be looking at people's property to take it away at your discretion, in this case, for open space, because they applyfor land use. That is a clear infringement of private property rights. · 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and whenappropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of naturalresources." We've seen examples of these incentives like the tax incentives onMaui, which are costing people thousands if they don't do what the governmentwants. The planning commission wants to be given powers to acquire land toprotect natural resources and values. It is the height of tyranny when an unelectedgroup of people get to decide and pursue purchase and acquisition of private landsbased on what they think are natural resources and values. Who defines thosevalues? It is not anyone’s right to "pursue" acquiring someone else’s privateproperty. Where is the due process clause? · You have an entire section on climate change that reads like it will take away many freedoms and rights. · There are close to 2000 credentialed scientists from around the world that state that there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ . · Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demandmanagement goals." The Constitution gives us the right to travel unencumbered. It is the Planning department’s responsibility to protect our constitutionally protectedrights, not merely to achieve its made-up goals. The planning commission members' ignorance of the limitations placed on government by our constitution is arebellious act and is especially insulting to the public when these members wield From:Ken Honma To:WPCtestimony Cc:Stand Together Hawaii Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Saturday, October 26, 2024 11:18:56 PM their newly acquired powers as if they are working under the color of ourconstitutional government. This hypocrisy is not lost on the educated and aware public. Sincerely, Ken Honma P.O. Box 451 Kurtistown, Hi. 96760 8089677553 kenh.7553@gmail.com From:Lahilahi Heen To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Sunday, October 27, 2024 1:58:41 AM This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANYconcerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan.Serious Risk.Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space becausethey apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui,which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want toacquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are naturalresources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights.Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there isno climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ And did you know there are NUMEROUS Patents on Weather Modification? The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create, will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reducesfreedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled tomitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehiclemiles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Sounds like a Smart City sneaking in. Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the future keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! This General Plan has the aroma of Global Billionaires in mind. Ms Heen From:dciresearch@protonmail.com To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Monday, October 28, 2024 9:28:18 AM Testimony to model (change as you'd like): This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There areMANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!!You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason forthis narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan.https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plandoes not do! Jeff Detrick Sent with Proton Mail secure email. From:Kupuna Moopuna To:WPCtestimony Cc:Kupuna Moopuna Subject:Testimony - 11.1.2024 Windward Planning Commission - General Plan 2045 Draft - STRONG OPPOSITION Date:Monday, October 28, 2024 12:39:46 PM Attachments:image.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.png Kūpuna for the Moʻopuna committed to the well-being of Hawaiʻi for the next generations to comekupuna4moopuna@gmail.com DATE: Friday, November 1, 2024 TIME: 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: Hawai‘i County Council Chambers, Hilo, Hawaiʻi SUBJECT: County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft - STRONG OPPOSITION Aloha to the Hawaiʻi County Windward Planning Commission, We, Kūpuna for the Moʻopuna, a hui of Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA)kūpuna beneficiary farmers from Panaʻewa, Hawaiʻi, testify in STRONGOPPOSITION to the County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045 (GP), FinalRecommended Draft and ask that the Windward Planning Commission NOTRECOMMEND APPROVAL of the proposed amendments, in part. We ask the Windward Planning Commission to require the following changes to the GP2045 Draft consistent with the purpose of the General Plan pursuant to Section 3-15 ofthe Hawaii County Charter to “... promote the general welfare, health, and prosperity ofits people.” 1.The General Plan 2045 Draft must include a South Hilo Community DevelopmentPlan. The General Plan 2045 Draft fails to include all seven of Hawaiʻi County’sCommunity Development Plans (CDP). The GP 2045 Draft includes only six CDPs, all but one CDP, intentionally leaving out the South Hilo CDP. This reeks of discriminatorygobbledegook from the county’s planning department, who, when responding to publicquestions of why no Hilo CDP in the GP, sidestep the CDP issue and conveniently citethe Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) documents yet refuse to include thesame DHHL documents in the actual General Plan 2045 Draft. County of Hawaii Final Draft General Plan 2045 Public Comments Pg. 44 of 569 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&startid=139815 Land Use Q: Why was a Hilo CDP not done, when Hilo has the most population? A: Given the process of adopting the General Plan, it may be considered that Hilo would better benefit from an urban development plan rather than a regional plan, although this is still to be determined. The latest Hilo CDP is dated 1975. Further, the greater Hilo area has several other planning documents and tools that other towns and regions do not have and that help to guide development in and around Hilo. These include but are not limited to: the City of Hilo Zone Map (HCC 25-8-33), Downtown Hilo Multimodal Master Plan, Banyan Drive Redevelopment Authority Plan, EnVision Downtown Hilo, Hilo Bayfront Trails Master Plan, DHHL Master Plans for each of its areas (like Panaewa and Keaukaha), University of Hawaii in Hilo Master Plan, State Airport Master Plan, etc. [emphasis added]. These “other planning documents” are “urban development plans” that do not includethe voices of the residential communities of South Hilo. The citizens of South Hilo areNOT represented in the GP 2045, of particular concern to the South Hilo homesteadcommunities of Keaukaha and Panaʻewa - already suffering from disproportionateenvironmental injustices - targeted for aggressive development in the GP 2045 Draft. We have been demanding an updated Hilo CDP 1975 / South Hilo CDP for years andcontinue to insist that the GP 2045 include the Hilo CDP 1975 to ensure this outdatedCDP is part of the GP 2045 Phase 1 2024-2029 actions for “updating our CommunityDevelopment Plans and other relevant plans.” (GP 2045 pg. 221) 2.The General Plan 2045 Draft must include Department of Hawaiian Home Land/Commission Chair Kali Watson’s comments and documents. These comments anddocuments were submitted to the County Planning Department’s Chairman Zendo Kernin February 2024. We brought these same concerns, comments, and documents to theattention of several county administrations, county planning departments, and sittingcounty council member D3 over the course of many years while the GP 2040 - now 2045 - was being amended. At every level, our voices were dismissed. Now, with this sameflagrant dismissiveness towards our Hawaiian Homes Commission Act authority, thecounty refused to include comments and documents in the GP 2045 Draft as requestedby the HHCA Chair. Here are two examples of the HHCA Chair’s comments / documents (Attachments 1-3)that the county refused to include: · The MOU between the County and DHHL was created almost a quarter century ago and while DHHL knows that current County Planning Department staff are aware of the MOU and the unique status of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s land use authority over DHHL lands, DHHLwants to further ensure that future County staff future elected officials, and future members of the public continue to have an institutional memory of the relationship between DHHL and the County. Incorporating a reference to this document in the 2045 County General Plan Update will betterguarantee that this institutional memory is perpetuated in future generations [emphasis added]. The 2002 MOU is enclosed for your convenience and reference. · · Likewise, DHHL requests that its 2022 DHHL General Plan Update be referenced and / or included in the 2045 County General Plan Update either as an appendices or other appropriate section of the County General Plan [emphasis added]. The 2022 DHHL General Plan Update identifiesland use designations that the HHC may apply to Hawaiian Home Lands. The DHHL General Plan should be a reference to the County. While the county verbally acknowledges the HHCA’s authority over DHHL lands, thecounty refused to commit this to writing in the GP 2045 Draft, which will be tothe detriment of HHCA beneficiaries forced to expend time, energy, and resources toensure and protect the well being of the people and the land. Again, we ask that the Windward Planning Commission require the above changes to theGP 2045 Draft consistent with the purpose of the General Plan pursuant to Section 3-15of the Hawaii County Charter to “... promote the general welfare, health, and prosperityof its people.” Mahalo,Kūpuna for the MoʻopunaPanaʻewa, Hawaiʻi Attachments (3):(1) DHHL Comments on the County of Hawaii 2045 General Plan - February 28,2024 (4 pages)(2) Memorandum of Agreement Between the County of Hawaiʻi and theDepartment of Hawaiian Home Lands - December 27, 2002 (5 pages) (3) DHHL Comments on Draft County of Hawaii General Plan Update - October31, 2019 & August 30, 2017 (11pages) From:mardi strong To:WPCtestimony Subject:My view Date:Monday, October 28, 2024 12:41:52 PM Hawaii notes Start off with natural beauty sites and then you go to climate mitigation and then you wanna jump to climate adaption labeling something in urban character. Guidelines is not a place Iwanna live urban character guidelines resort area for the industrial center urban neighborhood center rural neighborhood character guidelines, do you really think you’re gonna tell peoplehow they must have their yards if I own my property nobody’s gonna tell me how it should look water system standards domestic consumption guidelines you guys are already doing thatthe golf courses and the chains hotels that are there their yards are green grass with no natural remedy growing on it Indicators, collaborative, bio, cultural stewardship. I don’t even like the way that sounds nowthis plan that I’m looking at. I’m just going through the table of contents. It sounds like you guys came up with this while you people thought you had power Over all the normal citizensof the world really you don’t realize those days are changing and you’re gonna lose your power. What does the stakeholder have to do with me a resident of my own property? They shouldhave nothing to do with it. So on 1.0 the introduction you have organizing funding for projects that align with the general vision and goals so is this why you will not give any money to thepeople in Hawaii who’ve murdered and taken their homes from and now you’re trying to just take their land with giving them no money, you can’t just take things and rearrange theconstitution doesn’t work like that. Ask anybody on a reservation is not a reservation not one island over there is a reservation. People need to stand up and speak.I do not like this statement you’re trying to spill out the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites a system of principal thoroughfares highway streets and public access to theshoreline. Are you kidding me? Do you really think you’re gonna go in? Tell everyone this is your little public access when their whole life the whole shoreline‘s been public access. I’ll tellyou right now. This is not gonna fly . I have a problem when I hear you guys say on such other matters that may in the council judgment permit, promote the general welfare and health andprosperity of its people. I want to know who the people on this council how they can think they can God you can’t, so anything the council does should be voted on by the people andthese people are gonna wake up you have not dumb down everybody And it’s funny how you state the Hawaii became a 50th state of the United States but thatnever really actually happened. They’ve been floating in limbo for years. That battle is still on today and the reason I believe you burned most of that heritage away. And I do realize this ispublic opinion. It’s my opinion. And now on 1.4 it’s funny how you guys open up with respects the culture. If we respected theculture you wouldn’t be tearing it apart like this going against every fabric that the culture has you trying to diminish and I’m not the only person who can see this . And when you say hisstrikes a balance among economic and social and community and environmental priorities, so the peoples priority is number one not the feelings or the notions of anybody on the council orthe assumption of the council member feelings it’s about the law. And it’s so funny when you put me the needs of the present without compromising the abilityof the future generations to meet their own needs. Well you’re doing that already by pricing people at a Paradise you’ve been doing it for years and the price of the houses, although Iwould love to, I would not go there and buy a house and take something away from the people who already live thereWhen you say your vision is the ability to plan for the future with creative activity and wisdom in alignment with community values whose wisdom are you talking about surely notsome person feeling on the committee is probably somebody who’s not even educated in the field yeah, I said itAnd I find it funny that you think that the multi module or modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe and efficient, comfortable movement for people and goods Ithink I can already do that with my own car or truck, caring around my own family members or friends or tourist That I can manage without any government or state interference we don’tneed to ride around on a little cute bus that you can’t even hear that’s gonna happen Is this not talking about the slave trader what when you say a high-quality of life for residenceis maintained when a regenerative visitor industry balances, the preservation of natural and cultural resources with responsible visitation it shouldn’t even be that the only way they cansurvive is because of tourist why don’t you just say that , these people should be able to have their own little business out of their own little yard in a community center selling their goodsinterference called a flea market we call it networking our goods don’t get it twisted using all these words of community safe the community safe without you pumping your fear so pumpyour brakesremember this is public opinion and I am the public And I’m gonna say it like this. It’s like you were trying to force the Hawaiian people to be the workers just for the tourists.Well, maybe the Hawaiian people don’t want to be your little tour Director stand around and watch shitty people trampled the island yeah, I said it.And even Wording that you say, the community gauge and engagement process must be inclusive to incorporate, diverse perspectives and developmental strategies You think you canturn everybody into your little they all wanna join this little club no they don’t wanna join that little club. You’re talking rainbows and pipe dreams when in reality they already had thatbefore you destroyed it don’t get that you destroyed what was already there now you’re trying to rebuild it back a different way Not like it never does wish I was there in person to say someof these things Once again on 2.0 you’re spitting about stewardships and that the fundamental plan strives tocultivate cultivate a sense of place and connection to the environment you know once again they already had that before you burned it down and you murdered all those people thatenvironment already existed so don’t try to come here and act like you’re putting together something that has never been happened because it was there and you destroyed it you andyour committee and all your little friends Let that sit in for a minute was any of your relatives I’ll tell you what right now this little general plan that you have it sucks and it’s not evengonna fly it. It needs to be scrapped and totally dismantled and thought and come around back to reality as we speak some of the richest people on the planet are being taken down.Companies are being lost. CEOs are being, surrounded by SWAT houses are being rated so you might want to rethink the possibilities of a money pole here it just might not happenAnd you know, as being a person of we the people we know that this scam called the climate change is all driven by corporate chemical companies to pollute this guy using harp and theweapon do you’re familiar with this to set a blaze and try to forward your scamming plan And I will say we the people are so aware of the murderous attack you had on Hawaiian citizensand their housing structures, their livelihoods taken from them and even you murdered a bunch of people too. You need to pay the people what you owe them and you need to letpeople back to their land so they can build their house and stop playing this Chemical game the gig is up the world knows what’s going on in Hawaii cause you see I’m not from Hawaii,but I did make a special trip there to visit to see for myself the hotel stay because I am in a wheelchair was disgusting. The land was too manicured don’t step on the grass And then rightdown the street there’s no water at all and then I drive around and I ate everything local. I didn’t go to your block chain, restaurants, and what I saw was a takeover of corporationsthinking they can just come in and bully pay off a mayor or a governor and then you know things kinda go your way if you pay a lot of people a lot of favors, those are over they’re over.You know what I believe I believe the people who live on the island what they say they grew up there they know what’s up and corporations. You’re paid to lie to me and I know not tobelieve you at all. Just thought I’d throw that out there today. And it’s so funny because over here on the mainland they talk. Oh it’s his place is flooding. We need to not have it but yet acorporation go in there with a hotel and splatter a bunch of stuff around and hog up all that land but yet they’re not worried about getting flooded. What’s that about, make that makesense And I’m even gonna say this, I know there’s a lot of smart people on the island that went tocollege and all different backgrounds because they all have jobs and companies, and there are successful before the government went over there and started tin around the system,infiltrating the honesty of the island And simply letting people like disgusting nasty people buy up too much land for one person and there’s a few of those spread throughout the islandsare any of those famous people contributing money into the right pocket of the island? Yeah I hear crickets too. And why would you have to partner with community groups so they canraise the money to do your dirty work that’s exactly what it sounds like to me. I’m not buying. Now at the time when I came over to Hawaii and stayed and traveled around and seen what Isaw you need to give this island back to the people. Karma knows you do you not get that. And when you start 3.1 encourage all over conservation ethic in the use of Hawaii’s resourcesif we’re gonna talk ETHICS then I think you’re trying to talk out the side of your neck and who are you gonna educate when you say on 3.2 you’re gonna foster educational activities thatpromote the importance and value of Hawaii’s, unique and limited environmental resources are you gonna take the bus over to the golf course and show them how much water they’rewasting and then take that said to us to the hotel grounds that are perfectly manicured for the people who sleep in the hotel room we could do without the people we could do without thatwhy don’t we just have a lot around the hotel will come and pay to stay Why do you little panel people think that you are judge and jury when you say incorporatingindigenous and contemporary knowledge and practices to maintain environmental quality at its highest standards, addressing a changing climate, protect natural resources, restoreecosystem health for the benefit of the present and future generations, but you just destroyed a town of people And you won’t let them go back to their property and you’ve left themhomeless you’ve murdered their relatives and now you’re trying to claim the land for your own and then you say on 3.5 promote resource management that is sustainable, responsibleand data driven this sounds like a live experiment and I assure you Hawaii is not the experiment that you want to have karma knows your name everybody on this committeekarma knows you and I will say karma. This is the panel. Once again, I’m chuck Because you have Requires input and participation from the cute thecommunity regarding daily activities, development of policies and programs and review of proposed projects, but are you really gonna sit and listen to the community when they say theydon’t want that garbage they said they don’t want it they/ wanna go back to their property and build so who is on panel? They don’t need to do that there is a consequence treason youknow . OK 3.11 partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities and other stakeholders why would you aid in the programmatic education concerning historicalsites? I think the people who live on the island they know about the real truth about these historical sites and from what I know the government will take the twisted truth & the whiteman will change narrative to better their people and I’m an American so I know about this. This is why I’m speaking because you’re treating these people as you would treat myself if Iwas in the same situation. On four point A seek private and public partnerships to maintain and steward the preservationof sites buildings and objects and landscapes of significant culture in history historical importance now if I have private land, that is historically in my family that has nothing to dowith the government and I think That the government just tried to take over the history of the Lahaina people trying to rewrite history. It’s not gonna happen. There’s a lot of people inHawaii who know the truth. Those are the people I listen to/ not some government mouthpiece. And I myself on my own property and I find it ridiculous that you make us payproperty taxes on property. I already own. There’s no reason that I should be paying anybody a piece of my property to be where I’m at those laws need to be changed worldwide I will notshare Coexist or ask permission from any government or person to live my life my way this is a lot of the people and I think there’s been a lot of human rights being trampled over right herein this whole process and then we’re not even touching laws. You are trying to change willy- nilly or make up or, just think you can get by with what you want to do somehow I don’t thinkthis is all gonna happen the way you plan because life is unexpected and we are not a playbook. The government has a playbook they like to burn flood user to do use harp use, sir,use Gwen and all the cameras that they can use well we have cameras too, and we have microphones too, and we are here to record everything. The government does. I’m a cloudwatcher. I see what the government doing in my space. I will do everything in my power of my life to stop with the government trying to do I will counter that action with my own. OK sosince what I just said about provide real property tax initiative for historic properties, including commercial properties, so how much money do you plan on making off the area inLahaina that you decimated and murdered those people for that land? How much are you gonna make on that, or you thought you were gonna make on that because the people aregonna get their land back plan is going to fail because there’s no there’s no substance to what you guys are saying in this plan there’s a lot of assuming there’s a lot of wordsmithing hereand then there’s a lot of things that are so vague. You don’t even know what they’re saying because it opens the door for wide interpretation and we the people are not that stupid, I knowyou think we’re dumb down but there’s a lot that are so that you will not like the truth spitting at you. I’m spitting at you and I don’t even live there where I live. I live without permissionfrom anyone this is what people need to do live life And tell people what you really think stop being shy and everyone in Hawaii needs to that’s around this area need to go to these meetingsdoes anybody know about EMF protection and the things that you can do because it in this point anyone in the audience I’m not talking to the panel Listening to this needs to go and getyourself set up with EMF protection. Figure it out look it up about it and know that is a wave of the future. The government doesn’t want to tell you how to combat what they’re doing toyou but I will protect yourself, your family, and your property And the natural beauty sites it sounds just like you’re using Hawaii for a MoneyGram because when you’re talking about allthe beautiful sites in Hawaii, they’ve always been beautiful without government help the people of Hawaii know how to take care of their land, but the government keep bringing thedrugs in OK now we’re in 3.1 are you guys are trying to bully everybody’s mind about climate changenow we know that you guys have the direct energy weapon right there on the island we know the other weapons you have right there on the island and they’re performed by the militaryWhich you know kind of just bullies their way into every country and every good place on America because they’re either there to steal someone’s energy, steal somebody’s minerals orsteal somebody’s agriculture that’s kind of America the illuminati and all the Colts that is the Democratic Party nowadays now we’re over here at 3.1 and it’s so funny how you guys saythat human induced climate change is resulting in global warming you know that is such a crock of lies thrown into a petri dish that I’ve ever heard the government military, and theprivate corporations who are spreading the chemicals around the planet are responsible for the weather anomalies happening during program storms program hailed events program icenucleation program overheating program, dry clouds, and we can keep going on for a long time. The people know the people know. so my question is to you what are you gonna do littlecommittee people the ones with your little feelings intact? What are you gonna do for the housing that was in Lahaina that got burned down and people murdered by your little systemwhat are you gonna do fix the water situation for your future build? What are you gonna do, just throw a bunch of dirt over and cover up and pretend it never happened. Slapped theHawaiian people in the face. I don’t think so committee people need to rethink what you’re doing because your plan is gonna fail because when Donald Trump gets into the office it’s notgonna be, the pedophile sector in charge anymore it’s a new day. It’s a new year. It’s a new time and those low frequency. People will be left behind or they will be gone and the peoplethat are woke with a higher frequency. We are the people in charge I’m so glad this is my own little testimony because you need to hear from real people, not paid suitsSo really after everything I've seen this whole plan needs to be scrapped. It makes really no sense. Vague leaves open for interpretation and there's too much outside control. When yousay you're gonna talk with the people it means the peoples voices need to be heard and not ignored well I thank you for listening, I might be a little long-winded, but I don't care .Ty M Strng Get Outlook for iOS From:Terri Yoshinaga To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Monday, October 28, 2024 10:41:09 AM This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! Terri Yoshinaga From:Ann Williams To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 2:49:51 AM To Whom It May Concern: This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Sincerely, Ann Williams Hawaii Resident Greetings! These are my comments about Hawaii General Plan 2045: We say this General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources."We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! Thank you for your time on this! From:Deva Chappell To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 6:59:03 AM Dala Chappell Maui Housing Hui Maui resident 42 years From:David DeCleene To:WPCtestimony Subject:Windward Planning Commission - General Plan - 11/1/24 Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 4:02:57 PM WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION DENNIS LIN, Chair RE: County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft dated July 2024 Commissioners: I request that the Final Recommended Draft of the General Plan (GP) 2045 be rejected by the Planning Commission for tworeasons, both deriving from a failure to provide for true public input. 1) LACK OF A HILO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (CDP) CDPs were established for Kona, Puna, N Kohala, S Kohala, in 2008; for Kau 2017; for Hamakua 2018 (35). What happenedto Hilo? CDPs are referenced in the GP on 16 pages, establishing their primacy in constructing our GP. The clearly stated purposes are:as a vehicle for the people's vision, as foundational documents of the GP, and as the way to foster priorities of the communitythrough a conversation. Three samples from the GP: "...CDPs are synthesized to form a singular vision statement for Hawaii Island" (35). "The goals of the GP were formulated by incorporating concepts and value statements from the 2005 GP and thevarious CDPs. These foundational documents..." (35). "The purpose of a CDP is threefold...#3 Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue and contribute to theidentification of community priorities (217). The absolutely crucial nature of each district's CDP renders incomprehensible the lack of one for Hilo. Below are two hostedmeetings with the Planning Department and the community where twice the question was asked as to why Hilo has no CDP. At the Arc of Hilo, the Planning Dept member said they were "...so close into this process we didn't feel we needed to startanother whole process of doing a CDP for Hilo..." We Hilo residents might ask: What gives employees of the county the powerto determine that the 40,000 people of Hilo can have their voices dispensed with? Because the inconvenience foreseen ofcommencing a CDP for the largest city in the county seems like it would dash their plans for an early 2025 wrap-up? Orbecause of the inconvenience of 40,000 voices perhaps in disagreement with points in the already-drafted GP? At the Puna presentation, that same Planning Dept member said: "We are meeting with the council members of Hilo in the nextcouple of weeks and we're going to talk about the next steps for initiating a Hilo CDP." Why would we set in stone a GP now,when a Hilo CDP may be initiated, and could take a couple of years to finalize? Is there a timeframe that dictates a completiondate which overrides the voice of Hilo residents? Surely the document which combines the purpose and authority to establishthe policy document for the long-range comprehensive development of the island of Hawaii (28) is only complete whenthe largest city in its purview is represented in the same way that the other areas, and towns, and cities are represented. Hilo Workshop at Arc of Hilo 8/29/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTxYmRTxUjA1:14:45 (begin referenced part) Puna Workshop 10/3/24https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/pahoa/FMfcgzQXJkSJVPzhchSBNDQJGVmVJrxB?compose=CllgCKCDkpKzHgrbBxDgqJtpwKbjgmcwTTLhqXpxjbZTTkvXwJzCcVXcrWFcvxXbdSsQGDKQwjq&projector=11:36:00 (begin referenced part) 2) LACK OF LOCAL DISCUSSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS/CONCEPTS THAT UNDERGIRD THE GP INFUNDAMENTAL WAYS Much of the GP sits on the substrate of a theory for which there is no scientific consensus: man-made climate change,formerly called global warming. There have never been townhall meetings and discussions on Hawaii Island to determinewhat the residents think of this theory. Yet a GP has been written that accepts this theory as scientific fact. In the interest ofdeveloping a GP that truly echoes the voice of the people of Hawaii Island, isn't the democratic path one that either: 1)neutralizes any theory in the interest of leaving it an open question for the purpose of reaching a common purpose, or 2) hasfully discussed this and other theories through a series of open forums for the purpose of deciding a course of action basedupon majority opinion. Chapters 3 & 4 are largely devoted to this theory, but riddled throughout the GP are the terms that derive from current literature on this subject. GPs across the country are set on a similar path. The genesis of this "green movement" as it relates to planning anddevelopment is the introduction of Agenda 21 at the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. It was through this document thatgovernments around the world, including at our state and county levels, have adopted the tenets of climate change as defined inthis landmark document. But wide acclimation and enthusiastic implementation do not necessarily equate with scientific truth.Because the stakes are so high - our natural environment, our lands, our buildings, our roads, our industries, as well as ourrelationship to government and the liberties we hold fast - the decision by Hawaii County employees and elected officials toadhere to a single theory without knowing the will of the majority is unwise, and unDemocratic. While the Hilo CDP is being assembled, can we not have this discussion about scientific theories? David & Susan DeCleeneHilo From:Utah Valley Permaculture To:WPCtestimony Cc:Utah Valley Permaculture Subject:Hawaii General Plan testimony Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 2:00:24 AM Please take out any " Land aquisition" wording in your General Plan. Dee Devane This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! Donald Noguchi From:Donald To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 10:16:33 AM From:fred hofer To:WPCtestimony Subject:RE: Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 11:41:04 AM This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a few of the reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANYconcerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing orpotential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network."This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply forland use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices thatenhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for theprotections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands ifthey don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources andvalues. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why doyou think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights.Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there isno climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket bookof investors in "renewable" energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled tomitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." TheConstitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to"demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people, the residents, and with our future, &, representing this very future, nā keiki in mind, - which this plan does not do! With all due respect, All rights reserved. Fred Hofer Hilo, H.I. From:james wallace To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 7:14:35 PM Please stop the land grabbing.When you die God will put you in a special place in hell for stealing land like Josh Gang Green.You guys are so greedy and satanic its unbelievable!!!!!!Stop Trafficking children as well!!!!! From:Joanna Weber To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 9:08:55 AM ALOHA This General Plan needs to be redone! Here are a some reasons why: The General Plan is too vague. The language is not clear regarding what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerningsections which give the impression rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that shouldbe incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space, because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your “incentives” likethe tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands, if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what “natural resources and values” are? Whose values are they? Why doyou think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! There is an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2Kcredentialed scientists from around the world who state, there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative lies in the change these policies will create, especially, increasing the pocket book of investors in renewableenergy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitutionsays we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please, take a look at this pdf which shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c46 1685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the future keiki in mind. The present General Plan does not do this! ALOHA, JOANNA WEBER From:Juhl Rayne To:WPCtestimony Subject:testimony on gen plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 4:48:16 PM basically it sucks, taking away our god given rights...too vague, taking private property? there is no climate change except for the weather modification that the 'people in charge " are making... it is all about putting more $ into elite pocketsnot gonna fly juhl rayne From:Mele Akua To:Planning General Plan; WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 12:51:53 PM Aloha Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department, I'm a Hamakua resident, and just found out about General Plan 2045 a couple months ago. If thisplan is for all of us living here on the Big Island, then it is of great concern that only a few people attended the workshops and meetings or watched the Planning Department videos on YouTube, and even fewer, only a "handful", commented on the General Plan draft online, out of our islandpopulation of almost 200,000 people. This shows lack of transparency, as most residents are unaware, and no attempts were made by the Planning Department to increase public awarenessand interest. This means just a few appointed officials, who we did not vote for, are making plans and decisions that will affect the majority of us. GP 2045 appears to place the County Council,who we elect, under the Planning Department, as it must write laws in compliance with the plan, and it gives a lot of power to the Planning Director to approve various issues. This is government with no representation. I request an extension of the commenting period for more publicawareness and input, and revision of GP 2045 according to public comments be allowed. General Plan 2045 is very vague and does not specify how you will carry out the policies in it. It is very troubling to see "acquire private land" mentioned several times. How are you going to take a private land owner's property away from them? By purchase? What if they don't want to sell? Also mention of "incentivizing compliance of land owners through property taxes" - is behavior manipulation, and telling us what we can or can not do on our land that we already paid for. Furthermore, "limit miles traveled" is unconstitutional and "cluster developments" will drastically change how we live here. This is the "Big" Island, which means there is plenty of space foreveryone if we choose. "Cluster Developments" sound like a return to the plantation days whereworkers lived in clustered camp housing and were taken to work in the cane fields, which was owned by someone else. That sounds like Communism. Is that your intention? Is it yourintention to fulfill the World Economic Forum's quote from 2016: "By 2030, you will own nothing and be happy"? (They really said that, you can Google it). Whoever owns everything will behappy, while the rest of us rent everything. Hawaii County General Plan 2045 is very similar to General Plans throughout the United Stateswith words like: cluster, stakeholder, buffer zones, limit miles traveled, etc. Why is that? This plan sounds a lot like Sustainable Development Goals of UN Agenda 2030. How can this plan,modeled after UN Agenda 2030, be relevant locally to residents of the Big Island, and serve our needs that are unique to us? In case you don't know what UN Agenda 2030 is, it is explainedhere: WHAT IS UN AGENDA 2030? 3 MIN SUMMARY | ROSA KOIRE (Lawyer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0pa42x4V5I I've read the General Plan 2045 Final Draft, and agree with the revisions "Stand Together Hawaii"listed here in this pdf: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf Please create more public awareness of General Plan 2045, and allow for input and revision, so itis by the people and for the people. Encourage stewardship of the 'Aina and regenerative agriculture. Encourage everyone to be self-sustaining by growing their own food, as "supply chainissues" have become the new normal, instead of imposing more monitoring, regulations and restrictions upon us. Instead of imposing more taxes and fees on us, how about finding ways toreduce our cost of living, and ensure protection of our rights and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitutions - of the United States, State of Hawaii and Kingdom of Hawaii? Mahalo. Mele Akua From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony Subject:Subject: Testimony Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 11:29:02 AM Aloha, This General Plan is a complete OVER-REACH of Government! It needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANYconcerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing orpotential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open spacenetwork." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space becausethey apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices thatenhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of landsfor the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives onMaui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You wantto acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are naturalresources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue"acquiring someone's private property?!!You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights.Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that statethere is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for thisnarrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors inrenewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveledto mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." TheConstitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to"demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehiclemiles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this generalplan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does notdo! Kind Regards, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Paula Blum To:WPCtestimony Subject:BIG ISLAND GENERAL PLAN 2045 Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 7:35:36 AM Being a resident of Honolulu Hawaii I recently took a trip with my niece to the Big Island. Having visited many times throughout my life it is my favorite outer island.The residents, farmers & small businesses need to be supported not derailed in the future. We need to support our agriculture for the life blood of Hawaii. We have had to rely on themainland & other countries for our food supply. We need to become self sustaining. Since we rely on tourism already we can make both work for the people of the islands. Stop with theclimate change that restricts peoples freedoms. This plan sucks. It need to be put into the shredder and rewritten.With Much Aloha Paula Blum Sent from Gmail Mobile Download full resolution images Available until Nov 28, 2024 From:Steven Shropshire To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony Winward Planning Commision - General Plan Date:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 3:34:45 PM Attachments:pastedGraphic.png pastedGraphic_1.png October 28, 2024 Windward Planning Commision 101 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Planning Commision Member, Thank you for the opportunity to provide the following comments and concerns regarding the2045 Draft General Plan. I purchased my Papaikou property TMK:(3) -2-7-004:25 in 2001. One of the key factors in mydecision to purchase this parcel was the fact that it was designated in the LUPAG as “LowDensity Urban” (LDU). The current draft of the 2045 General Plan is proposing to change this designation from LDUto Important Agriculture (IA), which I believe would be a strategic error for the followingreasons. This parcel of land has been designated for urban expansion for the past 60 years, due to it’sstrategic location and available infrastructure. That was true then, and is even more validtoday, and will become critically important in the years ahead given the current struggle toprovide workforce housing for Hawaii’s people. Attached are some of the other reasons why the parcel should remain in LDU for yourconsideration. 1. Available infrastructure Water- A County well and storage tank is available to the parcel with possible upgradesrequired, Note- an 10”water service line was recently installed adjacent to property. Ample water (aquifer) is available at site for private wells. Waste Water -The County waste water facility has ample capacity to service 300+ homes,with sewage transmission lines currently installed at site. Note- Building more than 50 homesrequires a waste water treatment system, which would be cost prohibitive.. Electrical -Phase 3 power available to site. Bus service is available to the site. School- Kalanianaole School K-6 adjacent to the site. Property adjoins the Hawaii Belt Road which will minimize the impact on smaller feederstreets. Property has a large number of existing interior roadways, thus reducing the overall projectcost. Property is outside of Lava Zones 1&2. Ocean access- A residential project will be required to provide recreational access to ocean aswell as providing needed parking. Urban infill vs sprawling growth- The property is surrounded by residential neighborhoods onall sides. 2. Affordable Housing Crisis Thousands of people that are currently waiting for housing will be given an opportunity to livein a unique community that offers ocean recreation, farming, walkability and closerconnections between neighbors. Needed services will be made available in the neighborhood commercial center (medicalclinic, Kupuna and Keiki care, cafe etc..) Project has wide ranging support with various groups including Native Hawaiians, Habitat forHumanity, Hope Services etc 3. Agriculture and Housing Available agricultural land on Hawaii island - It is estimated that less than 4% of HawaiiIsland is used for growing crops. The subject parcel represents a fraction of a percent ofavailable agricultural land on the island. There is more than enough ample land available onHawaii island alone to feed our entire state’s population, many times over. The proposed agricultural community concept will provide residents with individual gardenplots which will enable them to grow food on the undeveloped portion of the site (which isestimated to be at least 40 acres). The existing land use patterns of large oceanfront agricultural parcels has predominately beenthe creation of gentleman estates, which are normally gated and screened from the highwayusing dense vegetation and do not benefit the greater community. 2. Smart Growth Principles- These nationally recognized principles are intended to identifya common ground where developers, environmentalists, public official, community membersand others to find acceptable ways to accommodate growth. Agrivillages are a mix of agriculture, housing, commercial services and open space andare an example of providing smart growth. Papaikou Agrivllage will be a model project for the island and the state Green energy, agriculture, access to ocean and recreation, commercial services, pocketneighborhood, closer community relationships (plantation villages). Walkable healthyneighborhoods- The project is already a favorite spot for families to walk their dogs, strollersetc. Pocket Neighborhoods design increases socialization within the community. Project Architectis Ross Chapin, Founder of the “pocket neighborhood” design concept (https://pocket-neighborhoods.net). Project Summary The agrivillage project is a clustered residential community integrated with agriculture,designed for mixed-income and multigenerational residents. The primary layout features“pocket neighborhoods,” where 6-12 homes are grouped around shared spaces, promotingneighborly interaction. The concept of “agrarian urbanism” extends beyond food production,encouraging a lifestyle centered on farm-to-table activities. Residents are expected tocontribute time and effort to the community’s food system instead of maintaining traditionalsuburban lawns. Key project objectives include: • Safe and inviting entry: Traffic-calming measures and pedestrian crossings connect thecommunity to Papaikou Village.• Affordable housing: A mix of housing types and tenure (rentals, land trusts) caters to variousincome levels, including low- to middle-income families.• Agrarian ecosystem: Agricultural lots for commercial and part-time farmers, communitygardens, and communal ag-processing hubs are available.• Neighborhood commercial area: A village heart fosters social interaction and provides dailyservices.• Balanced privacy and community: Homes are designed to nest together withoutcompromising privacy while shared spaces encourage interaction.• Public amenities: A shoreline trail, beach access, and a pedestrian network supportwalkability and outdoor activities.• Energy efficiency: Solar power and electric carts reduce energy and transportation costs.• Special needs accommodations: Homes can be equipped with universal design features, and a care home operator is sought to support senior residents. Project Mix:The project aims for LEED Neighborhood Development certification and AARP Livability Index standards. It includes a variety of residential options like single-family homes,duplexes, apartments, live-work units, and farm lots. Affordable units will be available for both rental and ownership, targeting income groups from 30% to 120% of the Area MedianIncome (AMI). Marketing efforts will focus on diverse household types, including farmworkers, Section 8 participants, empty nesters, and young families interested inagriculture. Shropshire Group LLC is in the process of finalizing a 201H application and intends to begin the community engagement process in early 2025. We urge you to please reconsider the proposed IA designation and maintain the parcelsexisting LDU designation. Thank you for your time and consideration. Aloha, Steve ShropshireP.O. Box 1146Hilo, HI 96721steve@alohagreen.com808-895-0372 How the project supports the Hamakua Community Development Plan SECTION 3: PREFERRED LAND USE & SETTLEMENT PATTERNS Pūpūkahi i holomua “Unite to move forward" 3.1 Land Use & Settlement Patterns This section of the CDP guides future land use development and permitting to be consistentwith CDP objectives and policies. Specifically, to reduce rural sprawl and infrastructure costs,it focuses future residential development in existing villages and towns and seeks to preservelarge productive agricultural lands for agriculture by accommodating rural-residentialdevelopment close to these urban centers. It directs new residential development away fromcoastal areas and encourages the clustering of developments to leave natural buffer areas. Itplans urban areas with appropriately-scaled densities that complement the rural character ofthe area.It provides guidance to the Planning Department on change of zone and variance priorities,and stipulates the types of areas and regulatory processes that are appropriate for industrialdevelopment. It also directs the County to engage communities interested in town-levelplanning. 3.1.1 Community ObjectiveOf the Community Objectives adopted by the Steering Committee (see Section 1.7.1Community Objectives, above), the following are related to the preferred settlement pattern: Objective : Direct future settlement patterns that are sustainable and connected. HonorHāmākua’s historic and cultural assets by concentrating new development in existing,walkable, mixed-use town centers while limiting rural sprawl. Objective : Protect and nurture Hāmākua’s social and cultural diversity and heritage assets,including sacred places, historic sites and buildings, and distinctive plantation towns. Objective : Protect and restore viable agricultural lands and resources. Protect and enhanceviewscapes and open spaces that exemplify Hāmākua’s rural character. 3.1.2 General Plan Settlement FrameworkThe General Plan articulates the overall County’s preferred settlement pattern in section 14.1:The future improvement and development objectives are directed toward making urbanand rural centers more efficient, livable, and safe. Growth should be encouraged in terms ofrenewing older areas or extending existing areas. The creation of new urban and rural centersshould be initiated only when it is in the public interest and must be accompanied bycommitments from both government and the private sector for the development of basiccommunity and public facilities and services. Infrastructure costs less when new residentialareas are located near existing highways, water and sewer lines, and employment centers. 4. How the project support’s the 2045 Draft General Plan Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT 25 Table 4: Land Use Challenges Infrastructure • Low infrastructure capacity and high costs to develop new systems. • Stateland use designations and related requirements within or adjacent to Urban Growth Areas limit the ability to increase densities. Existing single-family dwellings and lot sizes fail to achieve the desired density. •Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing and operating private systems or upgrades due to the insufficiency and lack of wastewater systems in manyareas. The shortage of licensed operators also increases operating costs and makes it more difficult to establish new private systems. • County roadway standards aren’tmodernized and remain a major cost to development. • Pervasive strip mall infrastructure and minimal transit-oriented developments pairedwith disconnected routes create congestion issues for commercial areas. Regulations • Building code requirements affect construction costs and the ability to create multi-usebuildings. • Multiple layers of land use control and review require coordination between governmentagencies at the state and county levels. • There are varying layers of code that are conflicting or inconsistent. Code requirements are also limited in integrating climatemitigation goals around reduced building materials and non-car-centric design. • The current regulatory process dictates that the State Land Use Commission must presideover boundary amendments that exceed 15 acres, which limits the efficiency of ensuring consistency in the land use pattern. • Zoning must be updated in certain areas to reflectshifting trends and land use preferences. • There is no Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent withthe desired land use pattern. • The State's historic review process has been cumbersome. Funding and Financing • There is a need for gap financing that exceeds what a singlelender or incentive program can fill. • Additional capacity in development financing and specific community development financing is needed to increase the production ofprojects in the County. • There is high demand for a limited pool of incentives and financing subsidies for affordable housing. • Affordable housing projects in the Countyface higher financing gaps than projects elsewhere in the State. Market Conditions • There are inconsistencies between development costs and prices the market can support.• Greenfield development in areas such as Puna is significantly cheaper than infill development in existing urban areas. • Lower household incomes result in lowerpurchasing power, which makes underserved subdivisions the primary market for many homebuyers. • Challenging site characteristics such as soil conditions and topographyincrease development costs. • Market cycles and permitting requirements often do not coincide resulting in uncertainty and increases in processing times and costs. Thesechallenges are exacerbated by performance conditions based on time versus appropriate mitigation conditions. Land Use Compatibility • Legacy zoning, such as industrial landsfrom the sugar plantation era, is not always consistent with the community's vision. • Productive agricultural land use designations often do not coincide with productiveagricultural activities. • There is a common perception that all development is contrary to protecting natural and cultural resources. Public Engagement • NIMBYism canpresent barriers to collaborative processes. • General misunderstanding and misinformation about land use policies can delay and disrupt strategic land use patterns. • Public hearing processes can become political rather than regulatory processes.Performance conditions are essentially requirements or obligations that an applicant must complete before certain rights or obligations can take effect. Not In My Backyard(NIMBY) is a characterization of opposition by residents to proposed developments in their local area, often due to concerns about potential negative impacts on theenvironment, property values, and quality of life. NIMBY protests have evolved over time, impacting the gentrification of neighborhoods and housing affordability.Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT 26 Table 5: Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure • County departments are encouraged to develop acollaborative infrastructure capacity plan with prioritization of projects based on desired growth areas and preferred density as identified by the General Plan. • Coordinate withthe Department of Health (DOH) to address unique land use situations on the island related to individual wastewater systems (IWS) and prioritization of resources. •Increase housing density by utilizing additional dwelling units (ADU) in existing residential districts served by adequate utilities. • Facilitate innovative public andprivate partnerships in infrastructure investment for targeted growth areas. • County departments can provide greater flexibility in privately owned and maintainedinfrastructure concurrency requirements. Regulations • Remove barriers to residential development in the appropriate districts to reduce development timelines, increasehousing stock availability, and increase affordability. • Review and update the Building and Zoning Codes to allow for more flexibility. • Collaborate across State and Countyagencies to facilitate efficient and effective land use processes. • Advocate allowing for County-initiated State Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendments to meetthe preferred land use pattern. • Program the initiation of rezoning in targeted growth areas. • Support and streamline the process of infill development. • The most direct rolethat the County plays in economic development is through land use regulation (i.e., permitting efficiency, transparency, predictability, and certainty) and property taxpolicy. • Invest in the provision of strategic infrastructure including roads, water, and/or wastewater improvements to encourage higher density development in targeted areas. •Work with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to determine when there is a need to review a project related to the identification of cultural sites and practices. •Work with SHPD to create standards related to the assessment of a project’s effects on cultural sites and practices. • Establish a framework for cultural impact assessmentsincluding recognizing findings and recommendations of prior cultural impact assessments within the same ahupuaʻa for new projects. Funding and Financing •Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity-building plan for County departments, local developers, and community stakeholders. • Leverage differentfinancing mechanisms to support development and redevelopment, including Business/Community Improvement Districts, Tax Increment Financing, CommunityFacilities Districts, and Opportunity Zones. • Seek and pursue additional capital stack opportunities and tax incentives for (re)development. Market Conditions • Diversifyeconomic drivers. • Utilize creative solutions and partnerships to encourage, support, and prioritize infill development before expanding to greenfield areas. • Make vacantand underutilized government-owned lands available for affordable housing or other (re)development, especially in or adjacent to urbanized areas with adequate orexpandable infrastructure. • Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments and other redevelopment opportunities. Land Use Compatibility • Eliminate unpermittednon-conforming uses and ensure proper land use patterns to ensure urban areas are used accordingly. • Strategically use zoning to ensure proximate compatible andcomplementary uses that improve the vitality of urban areas. • Regularly evaluate supply and demand to prioritize needed land use challenges. Public Engagement •Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBYs). • Apply strategies to engage stakeholders that go beyond legal notice requirements. •Reinforce the alignment between community values and the General Plan and Community Development Plans. • Demonstrate smart growth development. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox? compose=GTvVlcSDZqbWVpwHWkqFCvfcklLbQTPmjCXxfJfBDNzhHngMlxcxfHmJSHxLqpnJVmkWdHXgRZsWP Click to Download Testimony - Windward Planning Commission .pages.zip 996 KB Click to Download zoning and General Plan Maps.pages 1.2 MB Click to Download Papaikou Agrivillage Kickoff Meeting #1.pdf 13.9 MB Click to Download Papaikou Site Plan v1 (7).pdf 13.3 MB October 28, 2024 Windward Planning Commision 101 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Planning Commision Member, Thank you for the opportunity to provide the following comments and concerns regarding the 2045 Draft General Plan. I purchased my Papaikou property TMK:(3) -2-7-004:25 in 2001. One of the key factors in my decision to purchase this parcel was the fact that it was designated in the LUPAG as “Low Density Urban” (LDU). The current draft of the 2045 General Plan is proposing to change this designation from LDU to Important Agriculture (IA), which I believe would be a strategic error for the following reasons. This parcel of land has been designated for urban expansion for the past 60 years, due to its’ strategic location and available infrastructure. That was true then, and is even more valid today, and will become critically important in the years ahead given the current struggle to provide workforce housing for Hawaii’s people. Attached are some of the other reasons why the parcel should remain in LDU for your consideration. 1.Available infrastructure Water- A County well and storage tank is available to the parcel with possible upgrades required, Note- 10”water service line was recently installed adjacent to property. Ample water (aquifer) is available at site for private wells. Waste Water -The County waste water facility has ample capacity to service 300+ homes, with sewage transmission lines currently installed at site. Note- Building more than 50 homes requires a waste water treatment system, which would be cost prohibitive.. Electrical -Phase 3 power available to site. Bus service is available to the site. School- Kalanianaole School K-6 adjacent to the site. Property adjoins the Hawaii Belt Road which will minimize the impact on smaller feeder streets. Property has a large number of existing interior roadways, thus reducing the overall project cost. Property is outside of Lava Zones 1&2. Ocean access- A residential project will be required to provide recreational access to ocean as well as providing needed parking. Urban inﬁll vs sprawling growth- The property is surrounded by residential neighborhoods on all sides. 2. Affordable Housing Crisis Thousands of people that are currently waiting for housing will be given an opportunity to live in a unique community that offers ocean recreation, farming, walkability and closer connections between neighbors. Needed services will be made available in the neighborhood commercial center (medical clinic, Kupuna and Keiki care, cafe etc..) Project has wide ranging support with various groups including Native Hawaiians, Habitat for Humanity, Hope Services etc 3. Agriculture and Housing Available agricultural land on Hawaii island - It is estimated that less than 4% of Hawaii Island is used for growing crops. The subject parcel represents a fraction of a percent of available agricultural land on the island. There is more than enough ample land available on Hawaii island alone to feed our entire state’s population, many times over. The proposed agricultural community concept will provide residents with individual garden plots which will enable them to grow food on the undeveloped portion of the site (which is estimated to be at least 40 acres). The existing land use patterns of large oceanfront agricultural parcels has predominately been the creation of gentleman estates, which are normally gated and screened from the highway using dense vegetation and do not beneﬁt the greater community. 2. Smart Growth Principles- These nationally recognized principles are intended to identify a common ground where developers, environmentalists, public ofﬁcials, community members and others to ﬁnd acceptable ways to accommodate growth. Agrivillages are a mix of agriculture, housing, commercial services and open space and are an example of providing smart growth. Papaikou Agrivllage will be a model project for the island and the state Green energy, agriculture, access to ocean and recreation, commercial services, pocket neighborhood, closer community relationships (plantation villages). Walkable healthy neighborhoods- The project is already a favorite spot for families to walk their dogs, strollers etc. Pocket Neighborhoods design increases socialization within the community. Project Architect is Ross Chapin, Founder of the “pocket neighborhood” design concept (https://pocket- neighborhoods.net). Project Summary The agrivillage project is a clustered residential community integrated with agriculture, designed for mixed-income and multigenerational residents. The primary layout features “pocket neighborhoods,” where 6-12 homes are grouped around shared spaces, promoting neighborly interaction. The concept of “agrarian urbanism” extends beyond food production, encouraging a lifestyle centered on farm-to-table activities. Residents are expected to contribute time and effort to the community’s food system instead of maintaining traditional suburban lawns. Key project objectives include: • Safe and inviting entry: Trafﬁc-calming measures and pedestrian crossings connect the community to Papaikou Village. • Affordable housing: A mix of housing types and tenure (rentals, land trusts) caters to various income levels, including low- to middle-income families. • Agrarian ecosystem: Agricultural lots for commercial and part-time farmers, community gardens, and communal ag-processing hubs are available. • Neighborhood commercial area: A village heart fosters social interaction and provides daily services. • Balanced privacy and community: Homes are designed to nest together without compromising privacy while shared spaces encourage interaction. • Public amenities: A shoreline trail, beach access, and a pedestrian network support walkability and outdoor activities. • Energy efﬁciency: Solar power and electric carts reduce energy and transportation costs. • Special needs accommodations: Homes can be equipped with universal design features, and a care home operator is sought to support senior residents. Project Mix: The project aims for LEED Neighborhood Development certiﬁcation and AARP Livability Index standards. It includes a variety of residential options like single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, live- work units, and farm lots. Affordable units will be available for both rental and ownership, targeting income groups from 30% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Marketing efforts will focus on diverse household types, including farmworkers, Section 8 participants, empty nesters, and young families interested in agriculture. Shropshire Group LLC is in the process of ﬁnalizing a 201H application and intends to begin the community engagement process in early 2025. We urge you to please reconsider the proposed IA designation and maintain the parcels existing LDU designation. Thank you for your time and consideration. Aloha, Steve Shropshire P.O. Box 1146 Hilo, HI 96721 steve@alohagreen.com 808-895-0372 How the project supports the Hamakua Community Development Plan SECTION 3: PREFERRED LAND USE & SETTLEMENT PATTERNS Pūpūkahi i holomua “Unite to move forward" 3.1 Land Use & Settlement Patterns T his section of the CDP guides future land use development and permitting to be consistent with CDP objectives and policies. Speciﬁcally, to reduce rural sprawl and infrastructure costs, it focuses future residential development in existing villages and towns and seeks to preserve large productive agricultural lands for agriculture by accommodating rural-residential development close to these urban centers. It directs new residential development away from coastal areas and encourages the clustering of developments to leave natural buffer areas. It plans urban areas with appropriately-scaled densities that complement the rural character of the area. It provides guidance to the Planning Department on change of zone and variance priorities, and stipulates the types of areas and regulatory processes that are appropriate for industrial development. It also directs the County to engage communities interested in town-level planning. 3.1.1 Community Objective Of the Community Objectives adopted by the Steering Committee (see Section 1.7.1 Community Objectives, above), the following are related to the preferred settlement pattern: Objective : Direct future settlement patterns that are sustainable and connected. Honor Hāmākua’s historic and cultural assets by concentrating new development in existing, walkable, mixed-use town centers while limiting rural sprawl. Objective : Protect and nurture Hāmākua’s social and cultural diversity and heritage assets, including sacred places, historic sites and buildings, and distinctive plantation towns. Objective : Protect and restore viable agricultural lands and resources. Protect and enhance viewscapes and open spaces that exemplify Hāmākua’s rural character. 3.1.2 General Plan Settlement Framework The General Plan articulates the overall County’s preferred settlement pattern in section 14.1:The future improvement and development objectives are directed toward making urban and rural centers more efﬁcient, livable, and safe. Growth should be encouraged in terms of renewing older areas or extending existing areas. The creation of new urban and rural centers should be initiated only when it is in the public interest and must be accompanied by commitments from both government and the private sector for the development of basic community and public facilities and services. Infrastructure costs less when new residential areas are located near existing highways, water and sewer lines, and employment centers. 4. How the project support’s the 2045 Draft General Plan Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT 25 Table 4: Land Use Challenges Infrastructure • Low infrastructure capacity and high costs to develop new systems. • State land use designations and related requirements within or adjacent to Urban Growth Areas limit the ability to increase densities. •Existing single-family dwellings and lot sizes fail to achieve the desired density. • Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing and operating private systems or upgrades due to the insufﬁciency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. The shortage of licensed operators also increases operating costs and makes it more difﬁcult to establish new private systems. • County roadway standards aren’t modernized and remain a major cost to development. • •Pervasive strip mall infrastructure and minimal transit-oriented developments paired with disconnected routes create congestion issues for commercial areas. Regulations • Building code requirements affect construction costs and the ability to create multi-use buildings. • •Multiple layers of land use control and review require coordination between government agencies at the state and county levels. • There are varying layers of code that are conﬂicting or inconsistent. Code requirements are also limited in integrating climate mitigation goals around reduced building materials and non- car-centric design. • The current regulatory process dictates that the State Land Use Commission must preside over boundary amendments that exceed 15 acres, which limits the efﬁciency of ensuring consistency in the land use pattern. • Zoning must be updated in certain areas to reﬂect shifting trends and land use preferences. • There is no Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent with the desired land use pattern. • The State's historic review process has been cumbersome. Funding and Financing • There is a need for gap ﬁnancing that exceeds what a single lender or incentive program can ﬁll. • Additional capacity in development ﬁnancing and speciﬁc community development ﬁnancing is needed to increase the production of projects in the County. • There is high demand for a limited pool of incentives and ﬁnancing subsidies for affordable housing. • Affordable housing projects in the County face higher ﬁnancing gaps than projects elsewhere in the State. Market Conditions • There are inconsistencies between development costs and prices the market can support. • Greenﬁeld development in areas such as Puna is signiﬁcantly cheaper than inﬁll development in existing urban areas. • Lower household incomes result in lower purchasing power, which makes underserved subdivisions the primary market for many homebuyers. • Challenging site characteristics such as soil conditions and topography increase development costs. • Market cycles and permitting requirements often do not coincide resulting in uncertainty and increases in processing times and costs. These challenges are exacerbated by performance conditions based on time versus appropriate mitigation conditions. Land Use Compatibility • Legacy zoning, such as industrial lands from the sugar plantation era, is not always consistent with the community's vision. • Productive agricultural land use designations often do not coincide with productive agricultural activities. • There is a common perception that all development is contrary to protecting natural and cultural resources. Public Engagement • NIMBYism can present barriers to collaborative processes. • General misunderstanding and misinformation about land use policies can delay and disrupt strategic land use patterns. • Public hearing processes can become political rather than regulatory processes. Performance conditions are essentially requirements or obligations that an applicant must complete before certain rights or obligations can take effect. Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) is a characterization of opposition by residents to proposed developments in their local area, often due to concerns about potential negative impacts on the environment, property values, and quality of life. NIMBY protests have evolved over time, impacting the gentriﬁcation of neighborhoods and housing affordability. Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT 26 Table 5: Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure • County departments are encouraged to develop a collaborative infrastructure capacity plan with prioritization of projects based on desired growth areas and preferred density as identiﬁed by the General Plan. • Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to address unique land use situations on the island related to individual wastewater systems (IWS) and prioritization of resources. • Increase housing density by utilizing additional dwelling units (ADU) in existing residential districts served by adequate utilities. • Facilitate innovative public and private partnerships in infrastructure investment for targeted growth areas. • County departments can provide greater ﬂexibility in privately owned and maintained infrastructure concurrency requirements. Regulations • Remove barriers to residential development in the appropriate districts to reduce development timelines, increase housing stock availability, and increase affordability. • Review and update the Building and Zoning Codes to allow for more ﬂexibility. • Collaborate across State and County agencies to facilitate efﬁcient and effective land use processes. • Advocate allowing for County- initiated State Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendments to meet the preferred land use pattern. • Program the initiation of rezoning in targeted growth areas. • Support and streamline the process of inﬁll development. • The most direct role that the County plays in economic development is through land use regulation (i.e., permitting efﬁciency, transparency, predictability, and certainty) and property tax policy. • Invest in the provision of strategic infrastructure including roads, water, and/or wastewater improvements to encourage higher density development in targeted areas. • Work with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to determine when there is a need to review a project related to the identiﬁcation of cultural sites and practices. • Work with SHPD to create standards related to the assessment of a project’s effects on cultural sites and practices. • Establish a framework for cultural impact assessments including recognizing ﬁndings and recommendations of prior cultural impact assessments within the same ahupuaʻa for new projects. Funding and Financing • Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity- building plan for County departments, local developers, and community stakeholders. • Leverage different ﬁnancing mechanisms to support development and redevelopment, including Business/Community Improvement Districts, Tax Increment Financing, Community Facilities Districts, and Opportunity Zones. • Seek and pursue additional capital stack opportunities and tax incentives for (re)development. Market Conditions • Diversify economic drivers. • Utilize creative solutions and partnerships to encourage, support, and prioritize inﬁll development before expanding to greenﬁeld areas. • Make vacant and underutilized government-owned lands available for affordable housing or other (re)development, especially in or adjacent to urbanized areas with adequate or expandable infrastructure. • Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments and other redevelopment opportunities. Land Use Compatibility • Eliminate unpermitted non-conforming uses and ensure proper land use patterns to ensure urban areas are used accordingly. • Strategically use zoning to ensure proximate compatible and complementary uses that improve the vitality of urban areas. • Regularly evaluate supply and demand to prioritize needed land use challenges. Public Engagement • Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBYs). • Apply strategies to engage stakeholders that go beyond legal notice requirements. • Reinforce the alignment between community values and the General Plan and Community Development Plans. • Demonstrate smart growth development. Design Process Kickoff Meeting #| 03.16.2023 Papaikou Agrivillage ROSS CHAPIN ARCHITECTS The Kubala Washatko Architects Design Process Kickoff Meeting #| 03.16.2023 Papaikou Agrivillage ROSS CHAPIN ARCHITECTS The Kubala Washatko Architects Ross Chapin Architects 4110,500 +35 + 2,000 + ACRES OF MASTER PLANNING YE A R S IN PRACTICE EMPLOYEES PLANNING PROJECTS COMPLETED PROJECTS 30 TWORECIPIENT OF A I A C O M M IT TE E O N THE ENVIRONMENT (COTE) TOP TEN PROJECTS LABELCERTIFICATION SERVICES WE OFFER Site Master Planning Programming Code and Zoning Review Stakeholder Outreach Architecture Interior Design Graphic Design Wayfinding + Signage Sustainable Design Phasing Options Fund Raising Support Historic Preservation Cost Estimating Recreation Facility Design TKWA is a full-service architecture, urban planning, and interior design studio with offices in Milwaukee, Cedarburg, and Seattle. We embrace a design philosophy of Wholeness, where the built environment supports and enhances both human activity and natural living systems. D E S I G N F I R M I N WI TO BECOME A PU B LI C B E N E F IT CORPORATION F1RST BY THE NUMBERS STATE +NATIONALDESIGNAWARDS O V E R O V E R OFFICE LOCATIONS 98The Kubala Washatko Architects + PJA ArchitectsSave the ChimpsRequest for Qualifications The Kubala Washatko Architects Rainwater Management Reduce hard paving Slow down site water to allow absorption into ground and reduce erosion Design water efficient landscaping, drought tolerant, native plants Consider bioswale buffers where site water moves toward lake, etc. Strong Communities Diverse communities are more sustainable Provide a variety of housing size and affordability Ensure equity and access to all Create a network of walkable neighborhoods Recycle buildings and reduce waste Work with local systems, materials, and means Daylight and Views Design building to allow free daylighting, consider building orientation and relationship to sun A properly considered window arrangement could result in no use of electric lights during the day Consider views to increase the feeling of connection to the outdoors Provide properly designed overhangs to reduce heat gain into the building Solar Access Take advantage of the free energy provided by the sun Position the buildings to face the sun Consider hot water solar to reduce reliance on gas or electrical water heating Consider photovoltaic systems to product energy Locate outdoor rooms to create ‘micro climates’ to extend outdoor use on cool days and seasons Energy Efficiency Design and specify energy efficient lighting systems, install only the most efficient lamp types etc. Consider long lamp life options to reduce maintenance, costs, etc. Choose energy efficient appliances, fans, pumps and equipment Choose efficient kitchen equipment Efficient Building Skin Design highly efficient building skin, reduce thermal bridging, provide higher insulation systems Specify efficient window systems w/ low ‘U’ value glazing Reduce air infiltration by installing air locks, good window and door weather stripping, etc. Keep sun off of glazing as possible to reduce heat gain, overhangs, porches, etc. Water Efficiency Strive to close the water cycle loop Protect all water bodies and wetlands Use the available water onsite to provide all water needs Cleanse runoff from roofs and paving before reintroducing back into the ground Rainwater harvesting + gravity fed gardens Grey water systems Engineered wetlands Low-flow or no-flow plumbing fixtures On demand water heating Fresh Air / Natural Ventilation Provide operable windows w/ screens to reduce mechanical cooling loads Provide high/low windows to allow natural gravity ventilation Consider whole house fan for air movement and night cooling Sustainable Design StrategiesOUR SHARED PHILOSOPHYOur studios share and embrace a design philosophy of Wholeness, where the built environment supports and enhances both human activity and natural living systems. The idea of sustainability is a natural extension of wholeness-based thinking and is integrated into every project. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN. ALWAYS. The Leopold Legacy Center is a LEED© Platinum net-zero energy facility recognized as the world’s first carbon neutral building by the United States Green Building Council. RCA + TKWA use an integrated, whole-building approach to sustainability that is both proven and pragmatic. Our shared goal is to integrate sustainable design principles into highly functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings that are sensitive to occupant health and well-being. We are leaders in the design of innovative, high-performance buildings that meet LEED standards for efficient energy and resource use. TKWA designed the Leopold Legacy Center, the world’s first building recognized by LEED as carbon neutral in operation. LEOPOLD LEGACY CENTER Baraboo, WI WHOLENESS IS OUR WORLDVIEW It shapes how we act, conceive our work, organize our activities,and interact with the natural world, our built environment, and our community. Of all the forces that might have shaped the way we do our work, Wholeness rises above competing concerns, systems, schools of thought, and philosophies. We strive to provide a workplace culture that reflects the wholeness we wish to see in the world—this means doing great work but also having a full life outside of work. We are committed to equity, diversity, fair pay and benefits, and the wellness of every staff member. These values make our studios places where our staff stick around. San Juan Community Home Trust 7 Wholeness is our World View Sustainability is a natural result of wholeness-based thinking Habitat for Humanity's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and decent affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty. •Helped 42 million+ people construct, rehabilitate, or preserve homes around the world since 1976. •Advocate for fair and just housing policy and provide training and access to resources. •Non-proﬁt Christian ministry; Works in more than 70 countries welcoming people of all races, religions, and nationalities to partner. Work with individuals within the community that demonstrate the following: 1. Willingness to Partner 2. Need for simple and decent affordable housing 3. Ability to pay back a no-proﬁt loan Goals for Today We want to talk about: •Design Process (5 minutes) •Pocket Neighborhoods (10 minutes) •Agrivillage Case Studies (10 minutes) •Initial Patterns & Discussion (50+ Minutes) We want to learn from you: •Your reaction to the presentation •What are the real issues to resolve? •What must this project include to be successful? Design Process •Listening to neighbors, community stakeholders, officials, others •Respecting the land and people •Drawing out a broad range of site & community issues, concerns, needs, and potentials •Writing Patterns that address the issues and embody the values of the community •Use Patterns to develop the design and evaluate it •Check in and elicit feedback •Continue the listening •Refine the design The goal of writing Patterns is to gain a deeper understanding of how buildings and site can be configured to support both human activity and natural processes in a harmonious way. Listening intently and writing Patterns helps identify the deeper social, spiritual, and emotional values inherent in a place. This process offers solutions for making a place more alive, more functional, and more community oriented. It also gives everyone involved a measuring stick by which to evaluate the design. Everyone becomes an informed critic. Patterns can be used to build consensus, solve problems, and build trust within communities. Design Process: Pattern Writing Staff + Volunteer Hearth Issue In the workplace, if it is not always easy and natural for the staff and volunteers working to informally engage one another, an entire level of communication fails to take place. Regular staff meetings, newsletters and memos cannot come close to replacing informal interchange between staff members and volunteers. Solution Create a place away from the public realm where staff would typically go to make copies, get a cup of coffee, etc. Give this place enough room for a number of small conversations to occur simultane-ously. Provide informal seating and a view to the outside if possible. The Hearth should be along the main thoroughfare traveled by the majority of the staff during the day. Lockers for use by the volunteers should be nearby to help facilitate interaction. Water Is Treasure Issue Unfortunately, our culture tends to see rainwater as a waste product; piping, storing and treat-ing it as though it were sewage. The fate of wastewater from buildings also tends to be ignored, but also has a large environmen-tal impact in terms of centralized treatment facilities. Solution Rain should be allowed to slowly be absorbed by the land where it falls. Minimize use of hard paving surfaces and where used, make it permeable. Rainwater that comes off roofs should be slowed down, collected and/or reintro-duced to the local water table. In the process, water can become a visual and acoustic part of daily life and consciousness at the Center. Where practical, use captured and treated water to replenish and restore ponds and lakes. Treat all effluent generated on site with a local Constructed Wetland. These methods for dealing with waste-water should be made visible, cre-ating educational opportunities to researchers and visitors. They will also work to reduce the need for external water supply to the site. Living Sustainability Issue Rowe Woods can’t really be con-sidered ‘Green’ or ‘Sustainable’ from a LEED perspective, except for the fact that several historic structures are being reused. A gap exists between current practices and aspirations for the future. Solution Set a series of small steps that will lead CNC toward an ultimate state, where every action is one that regenerates the biotic community. Let habitat and species bio-diver-sity remain the target for ecological restoration efforts, remembering that introduced heritage horticulture is also an important feature of this site. For existing buildings focus on energy conservation and maintenance. New buildings should reach a high state of demonstrable sustainability, with features that support and explain the Center’s mission. In concert with on-going land management plans restore wetlands, streams, meadow, prairie and forests. Heart of Rowe Woods Issue What constitutes the heart of Rowe Woods? A visitor, without a strong mental mapping of the center of gravity for the property, will not develop a strong sense of place. Solution Establish an identifiable edge to the area that constitutes the core of the property. Establish visual cues for visitors signifying when one has arrived, and that they are at the property’s epicenter. This must be true for visitors arriving by car or bus, as well as hikers returning from the trails. It may be possible to identify the heart of Rowe Woods via a pri-mary path that strings the site’s major structures together. DESIGN APPROACHWe believe this Pattern Writing process—which can be completed within a normal programming time schedule—is the best possible way to define key issues and ensure that they remain prominent throughout the lifespan of a project. Pattern Writing has been successfully used on many TKWA projects. The following examples are patterns that were written for Cincinnati Nature Center. These examples are representative of the types of patterns that will be uniquely developed for any project. Pattern Examples Positive Outdoor Space Issue “Outdoor spaces which are merely left over between buildings will, in general, not be used.” - Christopher Alexander Solution Always consider the placement and general shaping of buildings and outdoor spaces simultaneously. Provide outdoor spaces with the edges necessary to give them room-like character-istics. Recognize that the spaces and activities that occur between buildings are as important as the buildings themselves. 2322The Kubala Washatko Architects + PJA Architects Pattern Examples Essential Patterns Continue Discovery Write Patterns Clarify Vision Begin Site Studies MARCH Project Kickoff Establish Process Meet with Community Begin Discovery Background Research Embryonic Patterns Case Studies Site Analysis APRIL Site Studies Finalize Patterns Site Organizations & Plans Key Features Permutations Get feedback APRIL Virtual Meeting #1 Virtual Meeting #3 Site Plan Development Finalize Site Plan Building Footprints Landscape Design Provide Metrics MAY Virtual Meeting #4 Presentation Community Forum Special Meetings Documentation JUNE Virtual Meeting #5 Papaikou Agrivillage Timeline Virtual Meeting #2 pocket neighborhoods meeting the housing challenge in small groups, conversation is spontaneous Scale of Sociability Rhody 847 Mo h o 74 4Mo h o 74 4 Br i g h t s i d e 7 8 4 B r i g h t s i d e 78 4 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Rhody 847 Brightside 784Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Twind y 720 Twind y 720 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Rh o d y 84 7 Rh o d y 84 7 Rh o d y 84 7 Cabo 544 Cabo 544 Rhody 847 Rhody 847 Ca b o 54 4 Ca b o 54 4 Rhody 847 Rho d y 847 Rhod y Rhody 847 Ca b o 54 4 C a b o 5 4 4 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Cab o 544 C a b o 5 4 4 C a b o 5 4 4 0 80’40’ Site Plan Moho 744 Moho 744 M o h o 7 4 4 Moho 744 Moho 744 Moho 744 Moho 583 Moho 583 Cabo 544 Moho 583 Moho 583 Moho 583 Moh o 58 3 Moh o 58 3 Moho 583 Moho 583Moho 583 Moh o 58 3 Mo h o 58 3 Mo h o 58 3 Moho 583Moho 583 Moho 583Moho 583 Moho 583 Moho 583 M o h o 7 4 4 M o h o 7 4 4 Moho 744 Br i g h t s i d e 78 4 Br i g h t s i d e 78 4 Moh o 744 Moh o 744 Moho 583Moho 583Moho 583 HA L E O L A O M O H O U L I RO S S C H A P I N AR C H I T E C T s Po s t O ffice B o x 15 9 5 • L a n g l e y , W a s h i n g t o n 98 2 6 0 T: (3 6 0 ) 92 9 - 9 0 0 7 • E : r o s s @ r o s s c h a p i n .co m • W : r o s s c h a p i n .com 1 2/16/21 16 F e b r u a r y 20 2 1 H i l o , H a w a i i Ha w a i i I s l a n d C o m m u n i t y L a n d D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n v1. 3 7 1 S i t e P l a n 2. 1 18 10 12 11 14 10 10 4 dog park resident storage units N'hood Commons Building cover'd hard court lawnnative lava maintenance resident storage units tot lot covered space "pocket neighborhood" community storage garbage & recycling 30' setback parking bus shelter Project Data Existing Zoning Proposed ZoningA-1a RM-4 Setbacks (FT) front 30 20 rear 30 20 side 20 8' 1st flr + 2' thereafter Height Limits 35 120 FAR NA NA Parking requirements SF & DF 2 per unit 2 per unit MF NA 1.25 per unit Proposed Plan Site Area (acres)9.3 Units 1-bedroom 33 2-bedroom 57 Total units 90 Density (units/acre)9.7 Parking total count 180 disabled 17 per unit 2.0 per bedroom 1.2 Code UFAS Construction Type V M O H O U L I S T R E E T community g a r d e n community g a r d e n com m u n i t y g a r d e n f f f f f f Neighborhood private back yard public street hoodpocket sneighbor of nearbypocket neighbor ss eight key design patterns of pocket neighborhoods Agrivillage Case Studies 016 MILEY BARN SHED KI T C H E N PAVILION TENT / GATHERING SAF E C R O S S I N G MONUMENT SIGN HA L F - M I L E Y L O O P HOTM VEGETABLE GARDENS Nourish Farms will become a regional hub for good food education and promotion of local, sustainable farming practices. —— Our goal is to educate and empower people to make wholesome food choices through experiential learning. In this case, through learning to grow and harvest food, composting, and better understanding the food system. VISION Nourish FarmsProposed Plan N HOTM VEGETABLE GARDENS PRAIRIE (WET) PRAIRIE (WET) FRUIT BUSHES ORCHARD BERRY TRELLIS S T R A W B E R R I E S BERRY TRELLIS GRAPE T R E L L I S FLOWE R S / P O L L I N A T O R S ANIMAL HUSBANDRY APIA R Y COM P O S T H A L F - M I L E Y L O O P PICTURE AREA WETLAND WETLAND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GARENS COMPOST SUNDIAL OLD O R C H A R D SEN S O R Y GA R D E N FLOWERS HOOPHOUSE LEGEND Vegetable Garden Wetland Flowers/Pollinators Prairie Grass Orchard Grass/Trees Picture Area/Manicured Gardens Animal Husbandry 014 ISSUE It is hard to evaluate the ecosystem impact of a process if we can’t see how it affects and is affected by other parts of the ecosystem. SOLUTION Make the flow of water, nutrients, and energy visible wherever possible. This can be through signage, but it is more useful to see the actual flow. ISSUE Isolation from the farm is increased with each stair, room hallway, and door through which one must pass to get to an outside door. Every interior space that is denied views of the working farm is disconnected from the mission of the organization. SOLUTION Provide access to adjacent porches and gardens from a variety of common areas in the each building. Maximize the opportunities for quality views from other spaces like offices, classrooms, and meeting rooms. Visible Flows Connected to the Outdoors ISSUE The efficient movement of people, animals, materials and vehicles is critical to a working farm. Compromising that ‘working path’ for any reason will negatively impact the efficacy of the farm for years to come. SOLUTION Devise the geometry and character of the working circulation of the farm first, followed by how the interested public and school children will interact with that same path to glean insights into small scale farming practices. Farm Tour Follows Working Path 011Site Master PlanNourish Farms ISSUE There is a nostalgic stereotype of the picturesque farm: a pretty cluster of buildings against a sea of rolling green fields. The reality of a working farm is messier. When creating a demonstration farm, it is tempting to try and present the illusion of the “pretty” farm and hide the “messy” working parts. SOLUTION Put the farm front and center. Find ways to celebrate the so-called “messy stuff” wherever possible. Instead of screening compost, equipment storage, and operational areas behind buildings or ornamental landscaping, make these elements prominent features in the site. This will not only give the property a unique quality, but also promote the educational message that you can and should try this at home. ISSUE Nourish Farms has many educational goals in addition to other activities, such as event hosting, that generate revenue to support the organization. If these goals were addressed as separate solutions, it could create a kind of “agricultural theme park”–one activity station after another with no consis- tent narrative or message. SOLUTION The ideal farm is a complete ecosystem, where water, nutrients, and energy are exchanged and balanced. Byproducts of one process become inputs to other processes and nothing is truly “thrown away.” Consider how each part of Nourish Farms, from its buildings to its site to its revenue-generating events, can be treated as elements of the farm ecosystem. ISSUE If facility rentals begin to drive decision-making, the educational mission of Nourish Farms may be compromised. On the other hand, if Nourish doesn’t provide good accommodations for rental patrons, they will take their busi- ness elsewhere and financial support for the educational mission will suffer. SOLUTION Always consider the balance between educational and revenue-gener- ating activities. Ensure that spaces which are largely revenue-generating have proximity, views, and signage that connects to the educational mission of Nourish. Farm Front and Center Farming as Ecosystem Balancing Revenue With Mission 013Site Master PlanNourish Farms ISSUE We tend to think of site landscaping primarily in terms of ornamental plant- ings. This would be a mistake on a working farm. SOLUTION No ornamental-only plants! Consider all site landscaping elements as part of the farm ecosystem. That doesn’t mean that every plant needs to be human food, just that it is part of the same system. For example, flowering plants for pollinators are okay, but not non-native annuals in pots for deco- ration. ISSUE It would be unfortunate if a visitor’s first encounter with Nourish Farms were a parking lot or even the front door to a building. SOLUTION Create an edible garden as the first welcoming element of Nourish Farms. The garden should have discernible edges, be they buildings, trees, low walls, shrubs, grasses or forbs. ISSUE On the farm, if it is not easy and natural for the staff and volunteers to in- formally engage one another, an entire level of communication fails to take place. Regular staff meetings, newsletters and memos cannot come close to replacing informal interchange between staff members and volunteers. SOLUTION Create a place away from the public realm where staff would typically go to make copies, check their mail, get a cup of coffee, etc. Give this place enough room for a number of small conversations to occur simultaneously. Provide informal seating and access and view to the outside if possible. The Hearth should be along the main thoroughfare traveled by the majority of the staff during the day. Lockers for use by the volunteers should be nearby to help facilitate interaction. Edible Landscape Welcome Garden The Staff Hearth 012 ISSUE Responsible and regenerative practices can seem like an “all or nothing” proposition. If people get the impression that they are always failing to do the best thing, then they may give up trying at all. SOLUTION Meet each person where they are. The demonstration areas and educational exhibits should display a spectrum of options leading to more sustainable, regenerative practice. Be honest about the way that Nourish itself is less than perfect. Visitors leave with a sense that there is always a way to do something a bit better. ISSUE Nourish Farms has a lot of goals and ideas for its 13-acre property. If we simply cut the property into a whole lot of small plots, it could become disor- ganized and cumbersome to navigate. SOLUTION Create a roughly half-mile loop pathway that serves as a central hub serv- ing each of the plots on the farm. This loop will have to cross the entry road safely and will also help connect the farm to the school. All or Something The Miley Loop ISSUE Unfortunately our culture tends to see rainwater as a waste product; piping, storing and treating it as though it were sewage. SOLUTION Rain should be allowed to slowly be absorbed on the land where it falls. Local subsurface movement of water must be understood before proposing any structure that might disrupt that flow. Minimize the use of hard paving surfaces and where used, make it permeable. Rainwater that comes off the roof should be slowed down, collected and/or reintroduced to the local wa- ter table. Consider using grey-water to irrigate crops. In the process, water can become a visual and acoustic part of daily life and consciousness at the farm. Water As Treasure Bayview Commons Madison, Wisconsin Thai Farm Village Initial Patterns Copyright © 2023 The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc.All Rights Reserved 255922 P R O J E C T N U M B E R February 14, 2023 D A T E S H E E T T I T L E P R O J E C T O W N E R Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island P.O. Box 4619 Kailua-Kona, HI The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. Papaikou, HI Ku'u Papaikou Agrivillage 40' 50' 60' 70' 80' 90' 100' 110' 120' 120' 110' 110' 120' 130' 140' 150' 160'160' 170' 170' 160' 160' 150' 150' 170' 160' 170' 150' 140' 140' 130' 120' 110' 110' 100' 90' 80' 70' 60' 50' 100' 90' 90' 100' 110' 20'-0" 100'-0" 20'-0" N 1000'0 Existing Site Plan Papaikou Agrivillage Initial Patterns Initial Patterns Prompting questions: •What are the real issues on the ground and in the community that need to be addressed? •What must this project include to be successful? Initial Patterns Regional AGRARIAN HARMONY DIVERSITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AGING IN COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AG COLLABORATORS LOCAL MATERIALS INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING SELF GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR CARE OF THE COMMONS Site MAIN STREET TO THE SHORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SITE GRADIENTS COMING HOME FOLLOW THE LAND INCREMENTAL GROWTH THE PERCH AGRIVILLAGE AS ECO-SYSTEM CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE CENTER GROWING ON DISPLAY PLACES TO WORK, PLACES TO WATCH FARMER’S MARKET AGRICULTURAL WORK HUB FOOD BUYING CLUB COMMUNITY GIFT GARDEN EVERYWHERE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE GREEN SWEAT EQUITY MAKER’S SPACES DAILY MIGRATIONS VISIBLE FLOWS SOLAR ROOFS ENGINEERED WETLANDS HIERARCHY OF STREETS ACTIVATING THE STREET SLOW STREETS CORRALLING THE CAR PLANTED PARKING REMOTE PARKING MARKET SQUARE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK WALKING PATH NETWORK TRAIL TO THE BEACH ON-SITE ELECTRIC CARTS SHARED VEHICLES LOCAL VAN SERVICE EV CHARGING PARK-RIDE BUS STOP BICYCLE SHEDS UNIVERSAL DESIGN INDEPENDENT LIVING HOME ASSISTED LIVING HOME OFF GRID RENTAL DIGNITY WEATHERING A STORM STORES, SHOPS, CAFES & MORE Sub-Neighborhood MAKER’S SPACES LIVE-WORK SCALE OF SOCIABILITY SHARED COMMONS TEACHING KITCHEN COMMONS BUILDINGS & GARDENS LAYERS OF PERSONAL SPACE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GRADIENTS FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE RESIDENT STORAGE MIX OF HOUSE FORMS, SIZES HOME GROWS WITH FAMILY Building HAWAIIAN LIVING EACH HOME UNIQUE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM-SIZED FRONT PORCH NESTED HOUSES FULL-USE SIDE YARDS SIDE YARD LIVING SIMPLE STABLE SHELLS NATURAL VENTILATION FRONT DOOR ON THE COMMONS EYES ON SHARED SPACE ROOMS WITH WHOLENESS BEDROOM ON THE MAIN LEVEL ENOUGH STORAGE Initial Patterns GREEN = SUSTAINABLE PATTERN Regional AGRARIAN HARMONY DIVERSITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AGING IN COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AG COLLABORATORS LOCAL MATERIALS INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING SELF GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR CARE OF THE COMMONS Site MAIN STREET TO THE SHORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SITE GRADIENTS COMING HOME FOLLOW THE LAND INCREMENTAL GROWTH THE PERCH AGRIVILLAGE AS ECO-SYSTEM CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE CENTER GROWING ON DISPLAY PLACES TO WORK, PLACES TO WATCH FARMER’S MARKET AGRICULTURAL WORK HUB FOOD BUYING CLUB COMMUNITY GIFT GARDEN EVERYWHERE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE GREEN SWEAT EQUITY MAKER’S SPACES DAILY MIGRATIONS VISIBLE FLOWS SOLAR ROOFS ENGINEERED WETLANDS HIERARCHY OF STREETS ACTIVATING THE STREET SLOW STREETS CORRALLING THE CAR PLANTED PARKING REMOTE PARKING MARKET SQUARE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK WALKING PATH NETWORK TRAIL TO THE BEACH ON-SITE ELECTRIC CARTS SHARED VEHICLES LOCAL VAN SERVICE EV CHARGING PARK-RIDE BUS STOP BICYCLE SHEDS UNIVERSAL DESIGN INDEPENDENT LIVING HOME ASSISTED LIVING HOME OFF GRID RENTAL DIGNITY WEATHERING A STORM STORES, SHOPS, CAFES & MORE Sub-Neighborhood MAKER’S SPACES LIVE-WORK SCALE OF SOCIABILITY SHARED COMMONS TEACHING KITCHEN COMMONS BUILDINGS & GARDENS LAYERS OF PERSONAL SPACE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GRADIENTS FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE RESIDENT STORAGE MIX OF HOUSE FORMS, SIZES HOME GROWS WITH FAMILY Building HAWAIIAN LIVING EACH HOME UNIQUE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM-SIZED FRONT PORCH NESTED HOUSES FULL-USE SIDE YARDS SIDE YARD LIVING SIMPLE STABLE SHELLS NATURAL VENTILATION FRONT DOOR ON THE COMMONS EYES ON SHARED SPACE ROOMS WITH WHOLENESS BEDROOM ON THE MAIN LEVEL ENOUGH STORAGE Initial Patterns Regional AGRARIAN HARMONY DIVERSITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AGING IN COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AG COLLABORATORS LOCAL MATERIALS INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING SELF GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR CARE OF THE COMMONS Site MAIN STREET TO THE SHORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SITE GRADIENTS COMING HOME FOLLOW THE LAND INCREMENTAL GROWTH THE PERCH AGRIVILLAGE AS ECO-SYSTEM CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE CENTER GROWING ON DISPLAY PLACES TO WORK, PLACES TO WATCH FARMER’S MARKET AGRICULTURAL WORK HUB FOOD BUYING CLUB COMMUNITY GIFT GARDEN EVERYWHERE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE GREEN SWEAT EQUITY MAKER’S SPACES DAILY MIGRATIONS VISIBLE FLOWS SOLAR ROOFS ENGINEERED WETLANDS HIERARCHY OF STREETS ACTIVATING THE STREET SLOW STREETS CORRALLING THE CAR PLANTED PARKING REMOTE PARKING MARKET SQUARE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK WALKING PATH NETWORK TRAIL TO THE BEACH ON-SITE ELECTRIC CARTS SHARED VEHICLES LOCAL VAN SERVICE EV CHARGING PARK-RIDE BUS STOP BICYCLE SHEDS UNIVERSAL DESIGN INDEPENDENT LIVING HOME ASSISTED LIVING HOME OFF GRID RENTAL DIGNITY WEATHERING A STORM STORES, SHOPS, CAFES & MORE Sub-Neighborhood MAKER’S SPACES LIVE-WORK SCALE OF SOCIABILITY SHARED COMMONS TEACHING KITCHEN COMMONS BUILDINGS & GARDENS LAYERS OF PERSONAL SPACE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GRADIENTS FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE RESIDENT STORAGE MIX OF HOUSE FORMS, SIZES HOME GROWS WITH FAMILY Building HAWAIIAN LIVING EACH HOME UNIQUE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM-SIZED FRONT PORCH NESTED HOUSES FULL-USE SIDE YARDS SIDE YARD LIVING SIMPLE STABLE SHELLS NATURAL VENTILATION FRONT DOOR ON THE COMMONS EYES ON SHARED SPACE ROOMS WITH WHOLENESS BEDROOM ON THE MAIN LEVEL ENOUGH STORAGE RED = NEEDS DISCUSSION Thank You! ROSS CHAPIN ARCHITECTS The Kubala Washatko Architects From:Eileen Downing To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on Hawaii General plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Wednesday, October 30, 2024 7:44:10 AM This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a few reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue theacquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources."We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! Thank you!Eileen Downing From:mardi strong To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony Date:Wednesday, October 30, 2024 7:20:17 AM This so-called general plan it's worthless and value and it needs to be scrapped. There's far too much be in it. It has a lot of wordsmithing going on to appear one way but in reality it's just agame and anybody on this panel did you go and check out the book the great Maui land grab, I didn't think so but I think you really should get that book and look at it because you guys arestepping all over your words up here on the panel because all the proof is in the book and people can't see what they saw what we learned now everybody on this panel I'm gonna sayyou've been caught in the act of Money money grab grab you money grubbers and you've been caught and more of the world needs to know what's going on over here when you talkabout corporations you're not talking about people you're talking about an entity who only is there for money just like Halloween it is designed to make money And it also serves as aguide to the evil people and all those blood sucking in Torino chrome people they will be euthanized because they are danger to our society just like the people on this panel to thepeople and sugarcoating it with a smile and it's just not gonna work Listening and I think everyone needs to put their opinions in because the more opinions are noted the more thegovernment knows we know what's going on. The people know the people know corruption when we see it. Get Outlook for iOS From:tawn@honokaapeople.com To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony - General Plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, October 30, 2024 11:38:58 AM Attachments:Testimony before the Windward Planning Commission on the Final Draft General Plan 2045.pdf The attached and document below is testimony from Tawn Keeney pertaining to General Plan 2045 Final Draft. Thank you for your consideration. Tawn Keeney Testimony before the Windward Planning Commission: Final Draft General Plan2045 Commission Meeting Nov. 1, 2024 Submitted by Tawn Keeney MD The basic concept underlying the notion of General Plan is desirable. However this Final Draft General Plan 2045 raises questions about practical application of that notion. It is found, in survey of the proposals here that the Draft General Plan is laden with contentious ideas which are likely to represent the thinking on one administration but may well be rejected by a subsequent administration, or, more importantly by thegeneral public. If the General Plan is to be posited as a guideline or aspirational document that spans a period of 20+ years then contentious proposals, or proposals that have a shifting or limited source of support or are poorly understood by the public or the administration, should not be a part of the document. Regardless of whether the apologists of placement of contentious proposals in the Draft General Plan attempt to justify this document as a ‘Living Document’, this Plan posits itself as foundational to the development of ordinances and administrative rules that may subsequently arise. Where there would be significant opposition, even if the document framers should feel themselves in a majority position, the General Plan should be avoided as residence of that directive. If a General Plan directive may expect even modest opposition, then that proposal should be accompanied by a full explanation of the reasoning behind its position, as inclusion in the General Plan may become rationale for proposal as ordinance or administrative rule. Does the State of Hawaii or the United States have a ‘General Plan’ that it creates periodically? No, they have constitutions. However these ‘constitutions’ are not given to contentious proposals which arise with the shifting of societal circumstance or environment. They are fundamental guidelines which are truly foundational and not subject to whim of administration. And it is from that document that legal applicationsarise. There is no intermediate ‘General Plan’, formulated as aspiration by one administration after another, not subject to public debate and discussion. If a General Plan is posited by an administration as description of intention of where its aspirations lie, and especially if that Plan contains contentious or poorly understood proposals then that document should be retired at the conclusion of each administration rather than posited as a guidepost for a 20+ year period. And if such a document is of such fundamental importance to construction of societal rules, then its evolution should take place by amendment of the underlying document rather than reconstruction of a new document which allows only incomplete or limited understanding of how that document has transformed from what has proceeded it. If the document is reformulated as transformation rather than edited as transition from currently existing structure, then a full explanation of the rationale for each proposal should be available to the public. Even in the model of transition, an explanation of changes should be available to the public. The above considerations conclude that: A) The General Plan should not contain proposals where agreement will be subject to significant contention. Rather, such proposals or directives must first be considered and endorsed in their individuality. B) A General Plan should have clarity of transition from its predecessor. C) Unless contentious proposals are restricted, the timeframe of application of the documentshould be shortened, perhaps as much as to the term of the administration which has generated the document. This shortened timeframe in itself will encourage transition rather than transformation. The following statements of ‘Policy’ and ‘Priority Actions’ included in the Draft General Plan 2045 should be seen as exemplification of the above concerns. It is posited that these proposals, policies or advocated actions are contentious and should be removed, amended or explained in detail before the final draft of GP 2045 is constructed. My comments explain the elements of contention. I have only carefully addressed several of the sections of the Draft GP. P. 236 - “Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard-prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation or mitigation.” Comment: This is extremely controversial, particularly in relation to sea-level rise, and I believe that this is not something that the public will bear. This feels like collusion between corporate or wealthy land owners and Administration. This is a directive which must be taken to the public in the form of a referendum before it is placed in theGeneral Plan. This certainly would be reason for the County Council to defer ratification of the Draft General Plan. Proposals with this level of controversy should not be placed in the General Plan until they are taken to the people by referendum or, at least, the County Council. P. 78 - “Remove barriers to residential development in the appropriate districts to reduce development timelines, increase housing stock availability and increase affordability.” Comment: Yes, this is one approach, assuming that one is trying to accelerate residential development. Perhaps one needs to start by making the case for accelerating residential development. This is not a ‘given’. It is a ‘given’ that we need more housing for our heritage residents, but it seems that a preponderance of development housing actually goes to immigrants. The County, for probably excellent reasons, seems unable to solve this problem, and so, as much as we build, build, build… there are still the same number of heritage residents who seem to have to move to the mainland to find work and housing that are more practical. ConsequentlyI don’t think that the assumption should be made that we need to remove barriers to residential development. The County has made the assertion that 90% of the increase in population by the year 2045 will be from out-of-state immigration. The County also has stated that by 2045 45% of the population will be over the age of 65. It is not clear that this is a desirable picture that needs acceleration by removing barriers to residential development. It is also not clear that even though residential development has be accelerating consistently decade after decade, that there has been an increase in housing stock availability and increase in affordability. Thispolicy/action and indeed this ‘mindset’ should be eliminated from the General Plan. P. 78 - “Advocate allowing for County initiated State Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendments to meet the preferred land use pattern.” Comment: It is entirely appropriate that, consequent to communication and collaboration between the State Commission and the County that the State Commission would take responsibility for initiating District Boundary Amendments to be considered by their Commission. However, it seems that this procedural proposal runs counter to reasonable administrative divisions and it has not been explained whycurrent State Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendment procedures fail to represent an appropriate balance of State and County interests. P. 237 - “Amend the Zoning Code and Subdivision Code to allow Cluster PlanDevelopments to be applied to all zoning districts with appropriate building site standards.” Comment: This is certainly a controversial proposal and, as such, should not be sited in the General Plan, but rather is an issue which should be weighed carefully as an individual proposal, considered and discussed by the Public and the County Council. P. 237 - “Amend the Zoning Code to allow for Planned Unit Development to become administrative permits and subject to the approval of the Planning Director.” Comment: There might be a reaction to this Draft General Plan that the thrust is toward acceleration of the process of development. With that perspective, and less than unanimity in endorsement by the public of this perspective, it would be most desirable that there would be County Council oversight applied to the enthusiasm of the Planning Department for all significant development, whether Planned Unit Developments or any other category of Development. If it is felt that the public would be supportive of this proposal then it should be subject to Council and Publicconsideration and discussion rather than placed in the General Plan. P. 98 - “Support the development of small scale visitor accommodations with heritage, agriculture, wellness or similar themes in rural areas and near points of interest.” Comment: All public support for short term visitor rental accommodation should be removed other than in designated resort areas. P. 98 - “Provide flexibility in discretionary permit applications to maintain health and safety for rural small scale visitor accommodations not serviced by public infrastructure.” Comment: All public support for short term visitor rental accommodations outside of resort areas should be removed. P. 98 - “Support the State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with the General Plan Rural designation.” Comment: This proposal would be especially impactful in light of the recent passage of Bill 123 by the Hawaii County Council. Bill 123 has now mandated that all properties in the Agricultural, as well as Family Ag and Residential Ag and Residential Zones will be available to addition of three Accessory Dwelling Units, one of whichmay be a Transient Accommodations Rental. The Authors of Bill 123 have taken the position that Rural ‘Sprawl’ or Suburban ‘Sprawl’ will not be accelerated because of the State Land Use requirement that any dwelling, principal or accessory, on State Agricultural Zoned Land must be a ‘farm dwelling’ which is supportive of anagricultural use of that property. However, the reclassification of State Agricultural Lands, as is being proposed here, to the designation of ‘Rural’ will open these broad areas to the unhindered effect of ‘Rural Sprawl’. Bill 123’s directives should not have included the Agricultural Zone, as the Agricultural Zone was specifically excludedfrom the State Legislation passed this year which required County Allowance of at least 2 ADU’s per property. However, now, on the Big Island, after Bill 123’s passage, if the State Agricultural Zone guardrail against Rural Sprawl is abandoned by ‘Rural’ rezoning then these rural zones will be transformed in the direction of‘Sprawl’. This controversial directive should be removed from the General Plan. P. 129 - “Be a net power producer with Hydrogen and Waste Management.” P. 162 - “Implement waste stream technology, such as recycling and up cycling and waste-to-energy to reduce the flow of refuse deposited in landfills. Comment: This directive should not be included in the General Plan. It is understood by the administration and much of the Public that the intent to use Hydrogen pervasively as energy storage mechanism, and various waste to energy strategies, whether by burning or a pyrolysis mechanism, are controversial and thus are of questionable propriety in such a ‘foundational level’ policy document as the General Plan. In evidence of this controversy I cite a recent Tribune Herald headline, “NationalExpert Questions County Energy Policy”. The expert’s comments were directed toward countering proposals for extensive use of hydrogen for energy storage and waste to energy proposals. The County has presented no response of which I am aware to the issues raised in that presentation. Until clarity is given as to howHydrogen will add to our net power production or storage, and what technology will be embraced in converting waste to energy, placing hydrogen energy paradigms and waste management into County energy policy direction for the 20+ year interval until 2045 is inappropriate. There is no question that controversy exists over these energy strategies. It is not inappropriate that the current administration would take initiative toward carefulexamination and even endorsement of a perspective on these strategies. However, before enshrining their perspective as foundation for County policy over a 20 year period, a pedestal that the General Plan offers, that administration must undertake explanation and education of the Public of the desirability of their endorsement. Noneof this has taken place. The administration has not explained to the public how Hydrogen will be used in a ‘net power’ strategy. The inefficiency of Hydrogen fuel cell for vehicular power is well known and is approximated at one-half to one-third the number of vehicular milestraveled per life-cycle energy consumed when compared to battery electric vehicles. A vehicular hydrogen infrastructure would be exceptionally expensive and a commitment which the 2000 Hydrogen vehicles as opposed to over 900,000 electric vehicles (and rapidly becoming less) cannot justify. The inefficiency and infrastructuredemands have led to abandonment of the vehicular hydrogen model. Whether Hydrogen should be visualized as back up grid storage, with longer capacity than current battery technology, is questionable and the subject of significant debate, particularly with the advance in battery storage capability. Any ‘Green Energy’produced on this island should be applied directly to the grid with battery back up before diverting it to ‘storage’ in the form of Hydrogen production at a significant loss of efficiency for grid purposes. Producing Hydrogen from, for instance, virtually unlimited geothermal might make sense as an export product, but for grid back up onthis island converting ‘firm’ geothermal energy to Hydrogen would be superfluous as well as inefficient. And geothermal may become a realistic energy resource on all islands. Hydrogen may have certain acknowledged applications in replacement of fossil fuel power such as maritime shipping, fertilizer production, possibly mass transitor trucking, and high heat applications such as foundry or steel production. These applications are in contention also. However, before Hydrogen is advocated as a basis for societal ‘net power production’ at the level of directives of the General Plan, the administration should be transparent and vigorous in its explanation to the Publicof how this application of Hydrogen’s potential will take place, well before its endorsement in the General Plan. Waste to energy strategies need clarity for the Public also. Perhaps the administration has been convinced of the desirability of a waste conversion strategyinvolving a pyrolysis process. This has been opaque to the public consequent to a non-disclosure agreement made by the County. However that opacity should preclude this process as being foundation for Waste to Energy commitment enshrined in the General Plan, which should be available to the assent of the Public. If theWaste to Energy commitment in the Draft Plan (I use the term commitment because the General Plan should not be a document of Advocacy) is the more traditional burning of trash (most likely at the Pepeekeo Hu Honua facility) then this needs to be clarified. It is my limited second hand understanding that the Hawaii County Council has twice considered and rejected endorsing proposals of a waste to energy strategy, once in the Kim administration and once in the Kenoi administration. It would not be appropriate to place this in the General Plan if such controversy exists. Its presence there without explanation and justification should lead again to rejection of the Draft Plan by the County Council. P. 149 “Remove barriers to reduce cost for new construction and rehabilitation of the current housing through changes to tax, zoning and building standard requirements.” Comment: It is stated above (p. 24 “About 90% of growth is through immigration.”) that 90% of growth till 2045 will be through immigration. Does it make sense to reduce taxation, which exists to benefit the general public, in order to accommodate immigration. Much of the cost of immigrant ownership of housing will be distributed among the current resident population (though some of the cost will be in purchase ofoffshore materials). Where is the advantage in reducing building costs for this immigrant population of homebuyers. Removal of barriers should only be for the ‘affordable housing’ component. P. 250 - “Adopt a County affordable housing program, similar to HRS 201H that encourages development, reduces cost and simplifies permitting.” Comment: HRS 201H is an undisguised blow to the intent of Regulation. The main purpose of planning and a Planning Department is to impose regulation. The County Council should have jurisdiction to weigh the advisability of waiving regulation in the appropriate circumstance regarding Affordable Housing development. In what way would a County 201H similar proposal provide opportunities that HRS 201H itself does not. This proposal appears to be counter to the idea of safeguards to the common good for the benefit of development, and should be abandoned. P. 212 - “A high quality of life for residents is maintained when a regenerative visitor industry balances the preservation of natural and cultural resources with responsible visitation.” General Comments: 1. The emphasis on Regenerative Tourism came as a result to the mounting criticism of the numbers of visitors and intrusion into the social fabric that the numbers of visitors was creating. The numbers of visitors is the basic problem - not that the visitors are disrespectful of the historic and current cultures. The catchphrase of ‘Regenerative Tourism’ is an effort to divert attention from the realproblem of numbers. It is likely that for 90+ % of visitors there has been no change of plans or behavior from before the term ‘regenerative tourism’ was fabricated. There has been no diminishing of numbers of visitors. 2. By far, the most ‘negative effect of tourism’ is the associated Greenhouse Gas emissions from air transport of visitors. Aswe see more and more the social effects of rising temperatures such as climate migration, civil unrest and food shortages and the climate disasters such as fire, flood, hurricanes, sea level rise etc. the more clear it will be that leisure travel must be eliminated. Hawaii tourism, as leisure travel, is perhaps the worst offender on theplanet, Hawaii being the most distant archipelago from any inhabited continental land mass. 3. In 2021 I presented a paper to the Honolulu Climate Change Commission indicating that Greenhouse Gas Emissions from air transport of Visitors to Hawaii accounted for 1-1/2x Hawaii’s total domestic GHG emissions. The HonoluluCommission requested that I present the paper to the State Climate Commission. Dr. Makena Coffman, UHERO researcher, presented a critique of the paper a year later indicating that the correct figure would be equal to all Hawaii’s domestic emissions. However her analysis did not count any connecting flight emissions, but only the two Hawaii legs of an itinerary. This is resultant from her use of the Hawaii State Greenhouse Gas Inventory, of which she was an author, for visitor data. My findings were based on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s eight ‘Global Regions of Origin’ visitordata and thus counted ‘connecting flights’ in the itinerary (which has its own problems). 4. Also subsequent to Dr. Coffman’s presentation, the IPCC designated as ‘best science’ on Aviation emissions a method which calculates the global warming potential of ‘non-CO2 emissions’ as twice that of CO2 emissions themselves.Whereas myself and Dr. Coffman had calculated these ‘non-CO2 emissions’ as equal to the warming potential of CO2 itself, using the IPCC endorsed method would bring her calculation of visitor air transport GHG emissions to 1-1/2x the state’s total domestic emissions, and my calculation, including the multiple legs of any visitoritinerary, to 2x the state’s total net domestic emissions. Respectfully submitted as Testimony, Tawn Keeney MD From:Adam Roberts To:WPCtestimony Subject:general plan Date:Thursday, October 31, 2024 10:22:18 AM Aloha, I have some concerns regarding the acquisition of land. Whose land can be subject to this?We do not want our land rights to be taken away with this plan. Also, in regards to mass transit, please update the plan to include more routes for the working folks. Currently only one bus runs from Ocean View to Hilo in the morning. It arrives after 9am which is too late for most folks going to college or working. There is only one bus that comes back to Ocean View in the evening and it leaves at 3:40. Thisis before college classes are out and people get off work. Please consider the working folks when you talk about transit use. Mahalo From:Carolina Visser To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Thursday, October 31, 2024 2:42:37 AM It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply forland use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue theacquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources."We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do youthink it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that yourmanagement goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/ This General Plan must be redone; it’s not good for the people and children. Please keep Hawaii safe with Aloha. Carolina Visser This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with thisplan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives onMaui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. Youwant to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to"pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!!You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world thatstate there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehiclemiles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan.https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! Thank you, Danica Barretto From:Danica Ann Barretto To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Thursday, October 31, 2024 1:53:25 PM From:Eric B To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Thursday, October 31, 2024 1:30:20 PM There is much more details in a PDF that others will be sending in, but here are some serious concerns, if any parts of the Hawaii General Plan 2045 "Violate or go against the Constitution" it is illegal and deemed null and void. Eric Bjerke Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! 31 %ci ;"l-f_; ` Q.?_€- 1 r,._,I.I. 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'e c s c_: (-, , Pa. ti C)Ck 1-- CI Li 1 S From:heyhew@me.com To:WPCtestimony Subject:Subject: Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 10:39:04 AM I’m writing to express concern, if not outrage, at the General Plan being proposed. It wreaks of the kind of vague language that we have seen in the past is done to hoodwink the public into believing that our elected officials are working on our behalf, when in fact, itALWAYS ends up in a land grab and nefarious attempt to strip rights away from those who pay your salaries. Here are a few concerns: The plan refers to STAKEHOLDERS, not HOMEOWNERS. Stakeholders, more often than not, refers to corporations or billionaires who buy off politicians and unelectedofficials for personal gain at the expense of the homeowner and taxpayer. What do these stakeholders have a stake in?What does this plan plan to accomplish? If it cannot be clearly defined, this GP needs to be abandoned and redone with the public’s input.The last thing communities need is "politics and technical coordination”. Stay out of the private lives of citizens. A smart plan would remove regulations on small farmers andput them where they belong on the polluting corporations and those who fly private planes or charter private sea vessels to and within the islands.Everyone knows that SUSTAINABILITY is code for raping the planet on YOUR terms. This is just a buzz word salad used to fine every day people who are not the source ofthe climate crisis. If you really cared about the planet, if sustainability were really the goal, the military concentration camp at Pohakuloa would be SHUT DOWN and privatejets and yachts would be BANNED! There are too many issues to go into with this plan. Suffice it to say, TEAR THIS VERSIONDOWN! And redraft a new version WITH THE PUBLIC’S INPUT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION! Mahalo, Adrienne Hew From:Chris Stamey To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 2:33:34 PM This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! This General Plan must be redone with the people and the future keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! Alyssa Stamey From:Susie J. To:WPCtestimony Subject:Subject: Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 3:52:26 PM Subject: Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 (New Biz) This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! This sounds too much like the WEF, The WHO, & United Nations plans to rule the world. It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identifyas early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentiveprivate land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! C.S. Jenkins From:Chuck Flaherty To:WPCtestimony Subject:Re: GP2045, late written testimony plus attachments Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 12:00:18 PM Attachments:GP2040, Aug. 2019 draft, Public Access thru Cultural&Historic Preservation.pdf Scenario Planning - Trend Scenario Land Use Allocation Technical Report - Placeways (2016).pdf Technical Methodology for General Plan Land Use (2020-24), 8-23-24.pdf Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the Commission, Kala mai for not getting my written testimony to you prior to the meeting. Please see testimony below and attached documents to which I was referring in mytestimony that have been a part of the General Plan Comprehensive Review process andshould have been provided to the Commission, as well as the public. Documents attached to this e-mail: Draft General Plan 2040, pages 102-125 Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report Technical Methodology for General Plan Land Use (2020-2024) Because of the large size of the documents, I will have to send the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project report and an e-mail to immediately follow this one. Mahalo, Chuck Flaherty November 1, 2024 Windward Planning Commission 101 Pauahi St, Ste 103 Hilo HI 96720 Re: Final draft General Plan 2045 Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the Windward Planning Commission, My name is Chuck Flaherty. I am speaking on my personal behalf today. Mahalo nui loa for your volunteer service on this Commission. This special meeting and agenda item should have been given more time. If you have read the draft GP2045, then we now have had a shared experience of attempting to compare it to the current General Plan. The feedback that I’ve gotten from other members of the public is that this comparison has been an almost impossible task because GP2045 is a complete gut-and-replace of the current General Plan. Also, placingthe GP2045 online in two different software platforms has disenfranchised a large number ofpeople who have made sincere efforts to make informed comments, but are technologically-challenged. As a general statement, the draft GP2045 does not contain sufficient imperative and directive language to provide reasonable assurance that it will be implemented. That being said, there are documents that are relevant to the draft General Plan that shouldhave been provided to the Commission. It may be that these documents are the ones thathave been submitted today, but I will review the list with you to make sure. I've alsoattached them to this e-mail so they may be forwarded to the Commission's members. The most important of the documents not provided to the Commission is the draft General Plan 2040 that was released in August 2019 by then-Planning Director Michael Yee. The reason GP2040 is so important is because it shows the extent to which public accessand cultural, historic, and scenic resource preservation policies and actions contained withinGP2040 were removed and not included in GP2045. For instance, the SustainabilityObjective on page 108 states, “Native Hawaiian language, values, and practices are integrated into all County processes.” This objective has been cleansed from the draft GP now before the Commission. Another document is a report titled “Hawai’i County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project, Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies” prepared for the Planning Department in August 2016. The Policies and Actions in GP2040 included the programs and strategies recommended by this report. However, GP2045 removed these policies and actions and now GP2045 only contains a reference to the report. Another report not in the Commission’s initial board packet is the Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report, published in April 2016. This report contains important information, such as how many dwellings can be built with existing zoning, subdivision approvals, and building permits. Another critical report not included in the Commission’s initial board packet is the Technical Methodology for General Plan Land Use (2020-2024). This report was not released until August 2024. It should have been released a year earlier because it contains information that the public has been requesting since last September 2023, such as explanations of how the GP2045 land use maps were developed. I would like to give an example of why General Plan land use designations are so important. Let’s use the example of a property owner who wants to rezone and subdivide 300 acres in the state land use Agriculture district. If the property owner applies to rezone and subdivide for Ag-1 lots, the owner could be granted approvals. Now let’s say the property owner wants to subsequently have the subdivision moved to the state land use Rural district, so that amenities, such as a members’ lodge, could be built. The owner would have to file a petition with the state Land Use Commission (LUC) for boundary amendment and the petition would go before the LUC for consideration. And let’s say the owner asks the county to use the general plan comprehensive review process to redesignate the subdivision from Agricultural to Rural in the GP land use map and let’s say the county makes the change in the GP land use map. Because the individual lots in the subdivision are Ag-1, that is, less than 15 acres, the state LUC would no longer have jurisdiction and individual land owners could then petition the county to have their lot(s) redesignated from the state land use Agriculture district to Rural and also apply for county rezoning to Rural as well. The bottom line is that while the project owner cannot request a state land use boundary amendment involving more than 15 acres because the Planning Director would have redesignated the GP land use map to Rural for all lots in the project’s subdivision, the individual lot owner(s) can apply to the county have their 1 acre lots redesignated to the state land use Rural district and apply for county rezoning to Rural in order to accrue the ability to have expanded property rights and uses on their lots. Presently, the Planning Director is refusing to provide the reason that he is proposing such changes to the GP land use map. Mahalo, Chuck Flaherty Captain Cook Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 1 PROJECT DOCUMENT County of Hawaiʻi General Plan Comprehensive Review Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report Date: April 18, 2016 Authors: Amy DeBay, Ian Varley, Doug Walker Introduction Task S2 (Land Use Allocation) sets up a framework for estimating future development patterns (amounts and location) based on a set of rules. Task E (Trend Scenario) uses an initial, calibrated run of the allocation model to estimate future development patterns based on historical trends. These tasks go hand-in-hand and are combined in this technical report. Allocation Concepts and Approach Future development patterns (amounts and location) are estimated using an algorithm-driven process called allocation. Allocation models the interplay between market demand for development in certain locations (“desirability”) and amount of development allowed according to current regulations or by future land use patterns suggested by alternate scenarios (“capacity”). Given a pre-determined amount of growth expected in the given time frame (here, new growth between 2015 and 2040), the allocation process estimates where each incremental unit of new development will go, following the basic presumption that the most desirable areas will be developed first, capacity allowing. Thus highly desirable areas are assigned growth first, and then slightly less desirable areas get developed next, etc., until all the estimated growth amount has been accommodated. Numerous refinements to the basic principle are used to produce the final estimates. For example, parcels aren’t always filled all the way to capacity, a certain amount of controlled “randomness” is often applied to the growth pattern, etc. For mixed use areas, both residential and non-residential growth can be assigned. In this study, a CommunityViz tool called Allocator 5 is used. The methods combined with the algorithms in Allocator 5 provide a well-reasoned analysis that will be helpful for this and myriad other planning studies, but it is recognized that the results have limitations in terms of modelling precision and confidence. The CommunityViz allocation method is sometimes described as “light-weight” to “medium-weight,” differentiating it from the “heavy-weight” algorithms such as UrbanSim or PECAS that are considerably more sophisticated but are more difficult and expensive to implement. In contrast, the Allocator 5 method is easier to use and lends itself well to “what-if” type scenario planning. At the highest level, the allocation algorithm takes 3 inputs—growth amount, capacity, and desirability—and generates 1 output—a pattern of future development. Our methods for each of these are described next. Growth Amount As a 2015 baseline for housing unit data, Placeways used data from the County’s Real Property Tax (RPT) office to identify the number of housing units and non-residential square feet. The procedure began with a database file from RPT that, unfortunately, lacked metadata, so the fields were interpreted manually. For each TMK, buildings were converted to housing units where appropriate Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 2 (buildings and dwelling units were tracked separately). Single family homes and ʻohana units were readily identified in the RPT data. Multifamily housing required some additional steps. In cases where there were multiple records per TMK (as with condos), the records required consolidation to identify the total number of dwelling units per TMK. Separate analyses were performed for single family, multifamily, and commercial properties. In RPT data, housing units that are treated as commercial property (e.g., apartments and timeshares) were counted as residential only when the RPT data showed them as such. Once this basic processing was complete, Placeways used the RPT online tool, Google Street View, digital air photos and other tools to verify the number of existing units with the goal of establishing an accurate baseline and using the RPT database to its maximum extent. For the trend scenario, growth projections are provided by SMS, a Hawaiʻi-based research and consulting company (see their report “General Plan Comprehensive Review Trends and Forecast Analysis Final Report (2015)”). These projections are broken out by 13 geographic areas called “forecast analysis zones” or FAZs (see Figure 1) and by use type (residential dwelling units and non-residential square feet). In order to add additional land use information to the allocation, the SMS forecasts were further broken down into four categories: single family dwelling units, multifamily dwelling units, commercial square feet, and industrial square feet. The ratio of single family to multifamily was found using the mean of the ratio from three dates in the recent past (2000, 2010, 2015) for which the ratio was known. This ratio was then applied to the combined residential allocation amounts to produce the single family/multifamily splits seen in Tables 1, 3, and 6. Similarly, growth amounts for non-residential development were developed as a single forecast and had to be split into amounts for commercial and industrial uses. The 2013 ACS Employment by Occupation Type data were used to identify the ratio of industrial employment to commercial employment and to produce the splits seen in Tables 2, 3, and 7. While this method assumes no change in the ratio of single family to multifamily units and commercial to industrial space, it reflects the recent development patterns in the Trend Scenario and can easily be adjusted for use in alternate scenarios. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 3 Figure 1. Map of Forecast Analysis Zone (FAZ) Areas (source: SMS) In contrast to the RPT-based method for establishing a baseline, the housing forecast data produced by SMS rely on US Census and Hawaiʻi DBEDT as sources. The methods used to collect Census and DBEDT data are quite different from RPT, resulting in differing 2015 baseline quantities. In addition, SMS did not suggest a 2015 baseline, instead using decadal increments for forecasting. In order to establish an SMS 2015 baseline, Placeways used the average of SMS’s 2010 and the first forecast year of 2020. This results in a 2015 baseline difference of 11,558 housing units (RPT 2015: 75,100; SMS/Census: 86,658). The reasons that the RPT and Census derived baseline amounts are different are due to the sources’ two distinct methods, and no attempt was made to reconcile them. To calculate the amount of new residential growth, Placeways used a method to find the relative amount of net new amount of growth per FAZ. This method finds the percent change, per SMS, between 2015 and 2040 and applies that to the RPT 2015 baseline. This forecast results in fewer net new units (35,750) than the SMS forecast (40,160 new units), but its rates of change match SMS. The SMS non-residential forecasts were already reconciled with the RPT data, and their forecast was calibrated to closely match the 2015 RPT baseline square footage. Therefore, in the case of non- residential growth, there was no need to rectify the forecast numbers as was the case with residential growth. Non-residential square feet were rounded and translated from square feet to 1,000 square feet Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 4 for the purposes of allocation. This ensured that allocation amounts are in whole increments and not in very small portions of square feet. Table 1. Residential Forecast by FAZ FAZ 2015 2040 Change 2040 Total Single Family Multi- family Total Single Family Multi- family Single Family Multi- family Total Hilo 14,713 1,138 15,851 2,953 833 17,666 1,971 19,636 North Hilo - Hāmākua Coast Villages 2,822 12 2,834 721 71 3,543 83 3,626 Honokaʻa-Paʻauilo 2,399 14 2,413 871 56 3,270 70 3,340 Waimea 3,212 98 3,310 1,420 158 4,632 256 4,887 North Kohala 2,499 17 2,516 785 59 3,284 76 3,360 Kawaihae-Puakō- Waikoloa-Waikoloa Resorts 2,610 3,390 6,000 1,337 1,337 3,947 4,727 8,675 North Kona 11,181 5,989 17,170 4,418 2,708 15,599 8,697 24,295 South Kona Villages 3,437 73 3,510 1,129 125 4,566 198 4,765 Kaʻū 3,397 76 3,473 2,135 112 5,532 188 5,720 Keaʻau -Kurtistown 1,640 10 1,650 834 35 2,474 45 2,518 Upper Puna 4,884 0 4,884 3,373 104 8,257 104 8,361 HPP-Orchidland 6,654 0 6,654 7,431 152 14,085 152 14,237 Lower Puna 4,835 0 4,835 2,515 78 7,350 78 7,428 Total 64,283 10,817 75,100 29,922 5,828 94,205 16,645 110,850 Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 5 Table 2. Non-Residential Forecast by FAZ (in 1,000 square feet) FAZ 2015 2040 Change 2040 Total Co m m e r c i a l In d us t r i a l To t a l Co m m e r c i a l In d u s t r i a l Co m m e r c i a l In d u s t r i a l To t a l Hilo 9,187 3,762 12,949 3,979 346 13,166 4,108 17,274 North Hilo - Hāmākua Coast Villages 347 30 377 98 8 445 38 483 Honokaʻa-Paʻauilo 438 38 476 130 7 568 45 613 Waimea 1,303 75 1,379 421 37 1,724 112 1,837 North Kohala 290 255 545 181 12 471 267 738 Kawaihae-Puakō-Waikoloa-Waikoloa Resorts 5,406 63 5,470 1,608 85 7,014 148 7,163 North Kona 6,512 5,135 11,648 3,400 296 9,912 5,431 15,344 South Kona Villages 868 16 884 235 18 1,103 34 1,137 Kaʻū 303 0 303 110 11 413 11 424 Keaʻau-Kurtistown 760 902 1,662 454 51 1,214 953 2,167 Upper Puna 201 2 203 54 3 255 5 260 HPP-Orchidland 120 0 120 57 4 177 4 181 Lower Puna 413 0 413 114 14 527 14 541 Total 26,150 10,279 36,428 10,841 892 36,991 11,171 48,161 Capacity Capacity values used in this report are based primarily on the results of Task S1, covered in a separate report. The focus is on net capacity, which is gross (or total) capacity minus existing development. Numeric capacity is assigned to every parcel on the island for residential dwelling units, and a separate numeric capacity for non-residential square feet. The majority of visitor units, existing and projected, are within 3 of the 13 FAZ areas. More information on visitor units and how they are addressed can be found in the Indicator Modeling technical report (Task G). During the initial calibration of the allocation model, it was decided to place caps on the capacity of individual parcels that limited the amount of development that could occur on any single parcel. Caps for both residential and non-residential development were identified by looking at the County’s subdivision records and the 2004-2015 building permit data. This information revealed what the recent historical maximums were for each kind of development: 600 units for residential development and 306,000 square feet for non-residential development. (The historical maximums and their place in the model are also discussed below in the section on additional calibration factors.) The final numbers below represent capped net capacity. Later in the project, these capacity values may be adjusted to model different potential planning and policy decisions. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 6 Table 3. Net Capacity (Capped) by FAZ FAZ Name Residential Single Family Capacity (DU) Residential Multifamily Capacity (DU) Commercial Capacity (sq ft) Industrial Capacity (sq ft) Hilo 22,299 1,183 7,037,091 6,766,170 North Hilo - Hāmākua Coast Villages 8,721 50 1,173,273 894,155 Honokaʻa-Paʻauilo 9,691 39 579,692 133,073 Waimea 6,807 827 1,242,247 577,334 North Kohala 9,950 231 1,660,320 1,499,805 Kawaihae-Puakō- Waikoloa-Waikoloa Resorts 15,237 3,815 1,944,304 310,342 North Kona 21,855 5,376 9,831,956 12,956,188 South Kona Villages 21,445 190 539,714 0 Kaʻū 25,088 1,971 768,304 620,075 Keaʻau-Kurtistown 5,518 75 1,481,939 4,484,680 Upper Puna 25,390 31 135,975 0 HPP-Orchidland 9,996 0 0 0 Lower Puna 25,928 151 656,727 74,451 Total 207,925 13,939 27,051,542 28,316,273 Desirability Desirability is a complex topic and represented a large proportion of the effort for this task. The desirability of a given parcel for a given use (residential or commercial) is represented by a score from 0 (least desirable) to 100 (most desirable). A parcel that is not eligible for a given use is assigned a desirability score of -1. On a map, the pattern of desirability scores is sometimes called a “desirability surface” because one can picture a lumpy blanket covering the island with high points in areas of high desirability and low points in areas of low desirability. Desirability was calculated all at once for the entire island. Given more time and resources, it would be possible to perform separate calculations for subareas such as east/west or individual FAZs. However, the additional effort would make little difference because growth amounts are constrained to meet FAZ-specific totals and thus growth is allocated based on relative desirability scores within a FAZ, not between FAZs. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 7 The detailed procedure for creating the initial desirability surface, used to create the Trend Scenario, follows: 1. Spatial and non-spatial factors affecting location desirability were hypothesized. These factors, such as proximity to infrastructure or coastline, likely affected development desirability in the past and could be quantified for all parcels on the island given available information. While a complete list of factors tested is included at the end of this report, all hypothesized factors could fit into the following categories: • Distance to infrastructure, geographical features, town and commercial centers • Parcel shape/size • Terrain/climate characteristics • Neighbor (10 ft) and neighborhood (1000 ft) context: the number of nearby parcels and development proximity (the number of nearby parcels that are built) • Current land use and build status • Geographic location (District, FAZ, etc.) • Property and building valuation. Using CommunityViz, these factors were calculated for each parcel on the island and exported to a table for use in SPSS statistical analysis software. 2. Statistical regression analysis in SPSS was used to calculate how well each factor correlates with new development in a given time frame. Three timeframes were initially considered: • All development since the beginning of RPT (County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office) recordkeeping (1880s) • All development since 1995 • All development between 1975 and 1995. However, because the goal of this statistical regression was to capture the principal factors influencing urban growth in the recent past, a cutoff date of 1995 was established. This year was selected to encompass a full cycle of real estate development and to capture the “highs and lows” in development activity. Development during this period followed this approximate pattern: • Trough: 1996 • Peak: 2005-2006 • Trough: 2009-2011 • Recent uptick: 2015. The SMS CoH 2016 General Plan Final Report (Figure 1, Resident Population) illustrates this pattern. The statistical analysis models the relationship between dependent variables – Commercial Square Feet (COM_SQFT) and Number of Residential Buildings (NumberOfResidences) – and the hypothesized list of independent variables (see Appendix 1, Table 12. Factors Tested for Historical Growth Trends). As a result, a step-wise Multiple Linear Regression model was chosen to create coefficients associated with each of the variables in order to represent the independent contributions of each independent variable to the prediction of the dependent variable after controlling for all other independent variables. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 8 The initial analysis included an overall view of development, an earlier era of development (1975-95), and post-1995 recent development patterns for both of the dependent variables (see Appendix 1: Comparing Post 1995 Regression Factors with the 1975-1995 Regression Factors for a discussion of these results). The results show the top 10 variables—that is, the top 10 of the hypothesized desirability factors—that influence each of the analyses, along with the absolute value of each of the standardized coefficients. The coefficient values allow ranking the variables from most to least influential. Detailed analysis information is included at the end of this report. The standardized regression coefficients with the 10 highest absolute beta values for the post- 1995 period were converted into CommunityViz weighting factors normalized to the scale 0 – 10, where 0 is no correlation and 10 is the highest correlation of any factor (though less than 1). Candidate factors with lower beta coefficients, below the top ten, were ignored for the desirability score. A cutoff of 10 factors was chosen for a few reasons. One was to keep the most significant factors in the mix. The top 10 account for the majority of the causal influence of all factors tested. Additionally, there was a benefit to limiting the number of movable parts for testing. Even with 10, it is challenging to understand the interplay of all inputs and the individual effect on the overall score. The goal here is to incorporate both sophistication and manageable interactive parts, and 10 is a reasonable number for that. Some factors are negatively correlated, and some factors are inversely correlated. For instance, distance values that correlate to growth are often inverse: nearer, smaller distance values are more desirable and further, larger distance values are less desirable. In the table below, negative and inverse correlations are indicated by a negative beta value score. Understanding this, many factors below make intuitive sense. The slope factor for example suggests that as land gets steeper (slope increases), the likelihood of development decreases. Some results are not always intuitive, however. Statistically, for example, it is found that parcels that are closer to old lava flows are more desirable for non-residential development than those far away (i.e. Distance2LavaFlow1790). Some positively correlated cases also benefit from some explanation. For example, the strongest factor for residential development is Distance2VolcanoHazard. This is a positively correlated factor meaning that as distance increases away from volcano hazards, the likelihood of development also increases. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 9 Table 4. Residential Factors (Top 10) for Growth Desirability Model (Post 1995 Development) Factor Description Beta Value Absolute Beta Value Normalized Value (Weighting) Distance2VolcanoHazard Distance to high volcano risk area, defined as areas classified as category 1 or 2 on the risk layer 0.0808 0.0808 10 Distance2LavaFlow1250 Distance to older lava flow, deposited between the year 1250 and the present -0.0575 0.0575 7.1 Slope Mean slope of the parcel in percent rise -0.0494 0.0494 6.1 Intersections1miDensity Road intersection density: the number of intersections on major roads within ½ mi of the parcel divided by area of the parcel -0.0439 0.0439 5.4 Rainfall Annual average rainfall, in inches -0.0429 0.0429 5.3 Distance2CenterAdjusted Network distance to commercial center. Commercial center is defined by RPT land use "commercial." This adjusted value uses straight line distance for those features not picked up by the patchy network. -0.0411 0.0411 5.1 RESpost1995ProximitySum1000ft Total number of dwelling units on parcels within 1000 ft of a parcel built after 1995 -0.0394 0.0394 4.9 RESpost1995ProximitySum10ft Total number of dwelling units on parcels within 10 ft of a parcel built after 1995 -0.0321 0.0321 4 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea Lot shape: perimeter squared divided by area 0.0305 0.0305 3.8 Distance2Coastline Distance to the island’s coastline -0.0301 -0.0301 3.73 Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 10 Table 5. Non-Residential Factors (Top 10) for Growth Desirability Model (Post 1995 Development) Factor Description Beta Value Absolute Beta Value Normalized Value Distance2LavaFlow1790 Distance to recent lava flow, deposited since 1790 -0.3410 0.3410 10 Intersections1miDensity Road intersection density: the number of intersections on major roads within ½ mi of the parcel divided by area of the parcel -0.2560 0.2560 7.5 Distance2Airports Distance to nearest major airport 0.2246 0.2246 6.6 Proximity1000ftParcelDensity The number of parcels within 1000ft divided by the area of the parcel 0.1723 0.1723 5 Distance2ExistingMF1 Distance to nearest multifamily residential development -0.1380 0.1380 4 Distance2SewerService Distance to nearest wastewater service line -0.1207 0.1207 3.6 Distance2WaterService Distance to nearest potable water service line 0.1089 0.1089 3.2 Proximity10ftParcelDensity The number of parcels within 10 ft divided by the area of the parcel -0.1006 0.1006 3 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea Lot shape: perimeter squared divided by area -0.0935 0.0935 2.7 Distance2VolcanoHazard Distance to high volcano risk area, defined as areas classified as category 1 or 2 on the risk layer 0.0885 0.0885 2.6 3. The CommunityViz Suitability Wizard was then used to create a suitability analysis using the parcels’ normalized factor values (such as distance to roads) as inputs. Since these values were pre-calculated for the statistical analysis, Suitability Wizard was pointed directly at the numeric values, improving processing performance. The wizard default is set to 5 (on a scale of 0 to 10) for each factor weighting. After the suitability analysis is run with defaults, the weighting assumption defaults are set for each factor according to the values calculated in the previous step to calibrate the score to historical trends. 4. The suitability (desirability) score for each parcel is displayed using the parcels layer symbolized by the suitability scores. The factor weightings are adjustable, so each factor that contributes to the overall score can be given a level of priority appropriate to the goals of the scenario. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 11 Trend Scenario Allocation The allocation of forecasted development in the “Trend Scenario” is based on the desirability surface representing historic development trends. Later in the project, it will be possible to develop alternate desirability surfaces for scenario planning in which planners test planning strategies that could encourage growth to evolve in particular ways. Allocation is performed using Allocator 5 with the inputs above. Again, allocation distributes predetermined growth amounts for each FAZ to parcels within that FAZ, developing the most desirable parcels first and proceeding until all growth has been accommodated. No parcel receives more development than it has capacity for, and many parcels receive little or no development even though they have capacity available. For the initial run, used to develop the Trend Scenario, randomness is set at 1 out of 10. Results for each FAZ are as follows: Table 6. Allocated Residential Growth by FAZ FAZ Name Residential Single Family Dwelling Units Remaining Single Family Capacity Residential Multifamily Dwelling Units Remaining Multifamily Capacity Hilo 2,952 19,347 833 350 North Hilo - Hāmākua Coast Villages 721 8,000 50 0 Honokaʻa-Paʻauilo 871 8,820 39 0 Waimea 1,419 5,388 158 669 North Kohala 785 9,165 59 172 Kawaihae-Puakō-Waikoloa- Waikoloa Resorts 1,338 13,899 1,338 2,477 North Kona 4,418 17,437 2,708 2,668 South Kona Villages 1,130 20,315 126 64 Kaʻū 2,135 22,953 112 1,859 Keaʻau-Kurtistown 833 4,685 35 40 Upper Puna 3,373 22,017 31 0 HPP-Orchidland 7,431 2,565 0 0 Lower Puna 2,515 23,413 78 73 Total 29,921 178,004 5,567 8,372 Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 12 Table 7. Allocated Non-Residential Growth by FAZ in 1,000 square feet FAZ Name Commercial Allocated Remaining Commercial Capacity Industrial Allocated Remaining Industrial Capacity Hilo 3,979 3,039 346 6,424 North Hilo - Hāmākua Coast Villages 98 1,074 8 887 Honokaʻa-Paʻauilo 130 450 7 125 Waimea 421 814 37 541 North Kohala 181 1,479 12 1,487 Kawaihae-Puakō-Waikoloa-Waikoloa Resorts 1,608 336 85 224 North Kona 3,400 6,411 296 12,656 South Kona Villages 235 303 0 0 Kaʻū 110 655 11 609 Keaʻau-Kurtistown 454 1,023 51 4,434 Upper Puna 54 80 0 0 HPP-Orchidland 0 0 0 0 Lower Puna 114 542 14 60 Total 10,784 16,206 867 27,447 Trend Calibration Factors In order to better replicate the patterns of the previous 20 years, additional calibration factors were developed to supplement the factors used in the statistical analysis. The objective of the Trend Scenario is to reflect a continuation of recent patterns, and these factors help reflect the recent development characteristics. While the statistical analysis provides an impartial and “data-driven” perspective on the patterns of recent development, its results cannot provide a complete picture because of a number of limitations: • Data limitations. Data were not available on all factors and across all historic time scales. In particular, the model lacked in-depth real estate market data, including market conditions and consumer preferences for both residential and non-residential development. In addition, historic building data were not available in appropriate forms. • Geographic biases that resulted from using parcel data as the unit of analysis. For example, large parcels tended to score very well in the statistical analysis. These features tend to show advantages that small parcels do not: they have more capacity, they have more neighboring parcels, and they can be closer to more desirable locations simply because of their size. A grid- based analysis would reduce these issues, but it would introduce many other issues (e.g., mismatch between the grids and the available parcel data) in their place. • Difficulty reflecting all patterns and preferences for all the island at a local scale (e.g., what drives growth in North Kona is somewhat different from what drives growth in Lower Puna). It was outside the scope of this project to run individual analyses for smaller areas (e.g., FAZs). Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 13 • No forecast model is perfect, and it is expected that any algorithmic results will require some degree of adjustment to match observed results. Because of these limitations on factors derived solely from statistical analysis, additional calibration factors based on expert human knowledge were included in the analysis as well. The combination resulted in a hybrid system that carefully combines both statistical modeling and expert judgement. Each calibration factor works in a different way to help fine-tune the model by what is believed as common knowledge by County of Hawaiʻi planners and by comparing values observed in the recent development data to the results of the draft versions of the Trend Scenario allocation. Some of these factors (Redevelopment Friction, Residential Subdivision Friction and Non-residential Size Friction) help steer growth towards areas that have received consistent development pressure in the previous 20 years. The Pipeline Projects Factor prioritizes parcels that currently have development proposals pending. While these factors help calibrate the Trend Scenario to reflect recent patterns, it is difficult—and not necessarily desirable—to exactly replicate rates and patterns of the recent past with what occurs in the Trend Scenario’s modeled future. The future is unknown and many external factors and unforeseeable conditions will affect how growth actually occurs. The goal of the Trend Scenario is to provide a plausible and useful reference for comparing alternative scenarios to help inform policy and the contents of the General Plan; it is not intended as a detailed forecast. Recent Lava Factor While a significant amount of development in the County of Hawaiʻi occurs on geologically recent lava flow (often on lava less than a few hundred years old), lava that has been deposited very recently is a significant obstacle to development. Lava flows that are more recent than 1990 were identified, and desirability of parcels that overlapped post-1990 lava flows was reduced. Pipeline Projects Factor This factor adds a bonus to the desirability of parcels that are currently under development or that County planning staff assume are likely to develop in the near future. The pipeline projects are divided into two groups. Group one consists of two projects, Kamakana Villages and Kealakehe Homesteads, which are very likely to develop or are in the process of development. The second group includes five projects that are less advanced in the planning process but have greater than average chances of developing. The project pipeline projects are mostly located in North Kona and primarily entail residential development. Table 8 identifies the pipeline projects and the number of units allocated to them. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 14 Table 8. Pipeline projects Project Name Approximate Location Allocated Residential Units Kamakana Villages Ane Keohokālole Highway, North of Kailua Kona 600 Kealakehe Homesteads North of Kailua-Kona, Corner of Keanalehu & Manawalea 184 UH Pālamanui UH West Hawaiʻi campus, just east of airport 300 Pualani South of Kailua-Kona along Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway 178 Keahuolū Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust Various parcels, north of Kailua-Kona downtown 48 Redevelopment Friction The uncalibrated allocation model orients development towards areas of greater desirability and available capacity. Many parcels already have existing residential or non-residential structures on them but according to the capacity analysis have some additional capacity (these parcels are considered “underbuilt” for purposes of the model). The Redevelopment Friction factor considers redevelopment in the sense of any new development on a parcel that has an existing residential or non-residential structure (according to RPT). The uncalibrated model does not distinguish the nature of this new development: whether it is a physical addition to a structure, a new structure on an undeveloped portion of the parcel, or the wholesale redevelopment of an existing structure. Redevelopment areas can sometimes be more difficult and costly to develop but they may be highly desirable because of their location or other amenities. The 2004-2015 building permit data reveal that 34% of residential development occurred on parcels that already had a residential or non-residential structure. This figure is lower for commercial development, where 15% of growth occurred on parcels with existing structures. The Redevelopment Friction factor applies a penalty to the desirability score for both residential and non-residential development to parcels that already have some development. Residential Subdivision Friction An analysis of residential growth since 1995 revealed that over 75% of new dwelling units were built on parcels that were subdivided to sizes of less than 5 acres. Subdivisions yielding parcels larger than 25 acres were not as common and did not contain large amounts of residential development in the recent past. The County’s subdivision data revealed that in the last fifteen years, the largest subdivision to be approved was 590 parcels. During initial runs of the allocation model, it was observed that the tool tended to select larger parcels over smaller parcels, a pattern that was not consistent with the recent development patterns. The County’s subdivisions layer depicts all of the island’s major subdivisions and using this data as a guide, subdivided parcels were flagged and received higher desirability scores than Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 15 non-subdivided parcels. This factor actually consists of two factors, one factor that penalizes large parcels by size and another that caps residential development at 600 units, similar to the historic maximum. Non-residential Footprint Friction Similar to residential subdivision friction, recent non-residential development had certain characteristics related to building footprint size (i.e., the square footage of the non-residential development) that were not well captured by the regression analysis. Early runs of the model revealed some extremely large non-residential developments that seemed uncharacteristic with the recent development patterns. According to RPT records, the largest commercial development since 1995 was 306,000 square feet and the median size 6,510 square feet. For the Trend Scenario, non-residential capacity was capped at 300,000 and desirability was boosted for smaller capacity parcels. Comparing Recent Development Trends and the Trend Scenario After calibration, the Trend Scenario matches recent development patterns fairly well, as shown in the table below. Table 9. Comparing recent development with the trend scenario Recent Development* 2004- 2015 Trend Scenario Residential Redevelopment 11% of recent growth occurred on built parcels 4% of growth occurs on built parcels Commercial Redevelopment 15% of recent growth occurred on built parcels 16% of growth occurs on built parcels Residential Subdivision Development 75% of recent growth occurred in existing subdivisions; median parcel size is 0.7 acres 73% of recent growth occurs in existing subdivisions; median parcel size is 0.9 acres Non-residential Footprint Friction Median development size was 6,510 square feet Median development size is 5,000 square feet * Recent redevelopment is based on RPT and building permit data; subdivision and parcel size factors use RPT data. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 16 Appendix 1. Comparing Post 1995 Regression Factors with the 1975-1995 Regression Factors The regression analysis conducted for all development and development post-1995 was also run for development that occurred between 1975 and 1995. Development in this era appeared to manifest some similar patterns (Distance to Volcano Hazards, Lava Flow, and Intersection Density) as the post 1995 development. Distance to centralized services such as water and sewer systems was more strongly correlated in the 1975-95 development, perhaps reflecting the closer proximity of development in that era to those services. In a more extreme case, the correlation for Distance2Airport reverses: it is negative for 1975-95 development and positive for post 1995 development. In other words, as distance to airports diminishes the likelihood of development increases in the 1975-95 era. The opposite is true for development in the post 1995 era. Valuation factors (building, land values) were poorly correlated in the 1975-95 era for residential development. Valuation factors were more strongly correlated with non-residential square footage. However, the valuation factors used reflect present-day conditions. In general, care should be taken when comparing the results of the 1975-95 era beta values with the post 1995 beta values because this analysis relies on data that represents conditions as they are now, not as conditions were during the 1975-95 phase of the island’s development. Some factors rely on data that has remained relatively consistent through time; for example the location of the island’s coastline, slope, rainfall patterns, etc. are very similar now to how they were 40 years ago. Other factors have changed considerably since the 1975-95 development occurred (distance to commercial development, development proximity, land and building valuations, etc.). The 1975-95 development patterns would be better compared to the post 1995 development by factoring in the conditions as they existed in that 1975-95 era, not conditions as they exist in the present day. Unfortunately that level of analysis was not feasible within the scope of the current project. Below are two tables comparing the 1975-95 and the post 1995 beta values for residential and nonresidential development. Table 10. Comparing post 1995 and 1975-95 non-residential beta values Factor ComPost95Beta Com75-95Beta Difference Distance2LavaFlow1790 -.341 .006 -0.3474 Intersections1miDensity -.256 -.100 -0.1564 Distance2Airports .225 -.145 0.3700 Proximity1000ftParcelDensity .172 -.042 0.2140 Distance2ExistingMF1 -.138 -.126 -0.0120 Distance2SewerService -.121 .161 -0.2813 Distance2WaterService .109 .013 0.0958 Proximity10ftParcelDensity -.101 .019 -0.1196 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea -.093 .077 -0.1703 Distance2VolcanoHazard .088 .090 -0.0016 Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 17 Table 11. Comparing post 1995 and 1975-95 residential beta values Factor ResPost95Beta ResPost75-95Beta Difference Distance2VolcanoHazard .081 .079 0.0017 Distance2LavaFlow1250 -.057 -.173 0.1151 Slope -.049 -.049 0.0000 ValueBuilding .049 .010 0.0389 Intersections1miDensity -.044 -.078 0.0338 Rainfall -.043 -.007 -0.0359 Distance24CenterAdjusted -.041 -.028 -0.0132 RESpost1995ProximitySum1000ft* -.039 #N/A -0.0419 RESpost1995ProximitySum10ft** -.032 #N/A -0.0273 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea .031 .037 -0.0067 * The 1975-95 results used the factor, RESpost7595ProximitySum1000ft instead of the post 1995 proximity sums, yielding the beta value of 0.002. ** The 1975-95 results used the factor, RESpost7595ProximitySum10ft instead of the post 1995 proximity sums, yielding the beta value of -0.005. Table 12. Factors Tested for Historical Growth Trends Factor Name Description Unit Source Acres Size of the parcel in acres acres Distance2Airports Distance to nearest major airport feet County GIS Distance2Belt10 Distance to the island's belt road feet County GIS Distance2Coastline Distance to coastline feet County GIS Distance24CenterAdj Network distance to commercial center. Commercial center is defined by RPT land use "commercial,” this adjusted value used straight line distance for those features not picked up by the patchy network. feet RPT and county GIS Distance2ElectricService Distance to nearest electric utility pole feet County GIS Distance2ExistingMF1 Distance to nearest multifamily residential development feet RPT and county GIS Distance2ExistingSF1 Distance to nearest single family residential development feet RPT and county GIS Distance2Hospitals Distance to hospitals feet County GIS Distance2LavaFlow1250 Distance to older lava flow, deposited since 1250 feet USGS Hawaiʻi Geologic Map Distance2LavaFlow1790 Distance to recent lava flow, deposited since 1790 feet USGS Hawaiʻi Geologic Map Distance2Major10 Distance to nearest major, arterial- type road feet County GIS Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 18 Factor Name Description Unit Source Distance2Schools Distance to nearest public school feet County GIS Distance2SewerService Distance to nearest wastewater service line feet County GIS Distance2Towns Distance to nearest major town, towns defined by county provided "towns" layer feet County GIS Distance2VolcanoHazard Distance to high volcano risk area, defined as areas classified as category 1 or 2 on the risk layer feet USGS, via county GIS Distance2WaterService Distance to nearest potable water service line feet County GIS Slope Mean slope of the parcel in percent rise percent rise USGS DEM ValueLand Land value in dollars per the County's RPT records dollars RPT Rainfall Annual average rainfall, in inches inches University of Hawaiʻi District Planning district County GIS FAZ Forecast analysis zone SMS MaukaMakaiNum Uses 1 or makai (outside the belt) and 2 for mauka (inside the belt) Placeways COM_YRBLT_YN If built 1, if not 0. RPT RES_YRBLT_YN If built 1, if not 0. RPT isCom If commercial, 1; if not, 0 RPT isSF If single family residential, 1; if not, 0 RPT isMF If multifamily residential, 1; if not, 0 RPT COMAllYearsProximitySum10ft Total commercial square feet on parcels within 10ft of any parcel with commercial square footage RPT COMAllYearsProximitySum1000ft Total commercial square feet on parcels within 1000ft of any parcel with commercial square footage RPT COMpost1995PS1000ft Total commercial square feet on parcels within 1000ft of any parcel with a structure built after 1995 RPT COMpost1995PS10ft Total commercial square feet on parcels within 10ft of any parcel with a structure built after 1995 RPT RESAllYearsProximitySum10ft Total number of dwelling units on parcels within 10ft of any parcel with a residential structure RPT RESAllYearsProximitySum1000ft Total number of dwelling units on parcels within 1000ft of any parcel with residential structure RPT DUpost1995PS10ft Total number of dwelling units on parcels within 10 ft of any parcel with a structure built after 1995 RPT DUpost1995PS1000ft Total number of dwelling units on RPT Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 19 Factor Name Description Unit Source parcels within 1000 ft of any parcel with a structure built after 1995 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea Lot shape: perimeter squared divided by area square feet/feet County GIS Intersections1/2miDensity Road intersection density: the number of intersections on major roads within ½ mi of the parcel divided by area of the parcel intersection per acre County GIS Proximity10ftParcelDensity The number of parcels within 10ft divided by the area of the parcel Parcels per acre County GIS Proximity1000ftParcelDensity The number of parcels within 1000ft divided by the area of the parcel Parcels per acre County GIS Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 20 Appendix 2. Detailed Statistical Methods Commercial All Data The first multiple linear regression was calculated to predict COM_SQFT for all possible parcels based on ParcelPerimeter2DivArea, Intersections1miDensity, Slope, Rainfall, Distance2Major10, Distance2WaterService, Distance2SewerService, Distance2Schools, Distance2Coastline, Distance2VolcanoHazard, Distance2Airports, Distance2LavaFlow1250, Distance2LavaFlow1790, Distance2Towns, Distance2ElectricService, Distance2Hospitals, Distance24CenterAdjusted, Distance2ExistingSF1, Distance2ExistingMF1, Distance2Belt10, COMAllYearsProximitySum10ft, COMAllYearsProximitySum1000ft, ValueLand, Proximity10ftParcelDensity, Proximity1000ftParcelDensity with n= 132,842. A significant regression equation was found (F(28,132814) = 161.888, p <0.001 ) with an R2 of 0.033. After the analysis the 12 coefficients that influence Commercial square feet are listed below. Table 13. Twelve most influential variables for commercial square feet, all years Variables Beta Value Coefficient COMAllYearsProximitySum10ft .125 COMAllYearsProximitySum1000ft .056 Distance2VolcanoHazard .054 Intersections1miDensity -.051 Distance2Hospitals .037 Distance2LavaFlow1790 .032 Distance2ExistingSF1 .025 Distance2ElectricService -.023 Distance2ExistingMF1 -.020 Slope -.019 Distance2SewerService -.018 Distance2LavaFlow1250 -.018 Commercial Post 1995 The first multiple linear regression was calculated to predict COM_SQFT commercial buildings built on or after 1995 based on ParcelPerimeter2DivArea, Intersections1miDensity, Slope, Rainfall, Distance2Major10, Distance2WaterService, Distance2SewerService, Distance2Schools, Distance2Coastline, Distance2VolcanoHazard, Distance2Airports, Distance2LavaFlow1250, Distance2LavaFlow1790, Distance2Towns, Distance2ElectricService, Distance2Hospitals, Distance24CenterAdjusted, Distance2ExistingSF1, Distance2ExistingMF1, Distance2Belt10, COMpost1995ProximitySum1000ft, COMpost1995ProximitySum10ft, ValueLand, Proximity10ftParcelDensity, Proximity1000ftParcelDensity with n= 451. A significant regression equation was found (F(27,424) = 2.259, p <0.001 ) with an R2 of 0.126. After the analysis the 12 coefficients that influence Commercial square feet after 1995 are listed below. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 21 Table 14. Twelve most influential variables for commercial square feet, post 1995 Variables Absolute Value Coefficient Distance2LavaFlow1790 -.341 Intersections1miDensity -.256 Distance2Airports .225 Proximity1000ftParcelDensity .172 Distance2ExistingMF1 -.138 Distance2SewerService -.121 Distance2WaterService .109 Proximity10ftParcelDensity -.101 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea -.093 Distance2VolcanoHazard .088 ValueLand .082 Distance2Towns -.067 Commercial Post 1975-95 The first multiple linear regression was calculated to predict COM_SQFT commercial buildings built on or after 1975 and before 1995 based on ParcelPerimeter2DivArea, Intersections1miDensity, Slope, Rainfall, Distance2Major10, Distance2WaterService, Distance2SewerService, Distance2Schools, Distance2Coastline, Distance2VolcanoHazard, Distance2Airports, Distance2LavaFlow1250, Distance2LavaFlow1790, Distance2Towns, Distance2ElectricService, Distance2Hospitals, Distance24CenterAdjusted, Distance2ExistingSF1, Distance2ExistingMF1, Distance2Belt10, COMpost1995ProximitySum1000ft, COMpost1995ProximitySum10ft, ValueLand, Proximity10ftParcelDensity, Proximity1000ftParcelDensity with n= 687. A significant regression equation was found (F(27,660) = 3.634, p <0.001 ) with an R2 of 0.129. After the analysis the 12 coefficients that influence Commercial square feet between 1975-95 are listed below. Table 15. Twelve most influential variables for Commercial Square Feet > 1975 and < 1995 Variables Beta Value Coefficient Distance2SewerService .161 Distance2Airports -.145 ValueLand -.144 Distance2ExistingMF1 -.126 Distance2ExistingSF1 -.126 Distance2Schools .109 Intersections1miDensity -.100 Distance2VolcanoHazard .090 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea .077 Distance24CenterAdjusted -.072 Distance2Coastline -.070 Distance2Belt10 -.059 Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 22 Residential All Data The first multiple linear regression was calculated to predict NumberOfResidences for residential buildings built after 1995 based on ParcelPerimeter2DivArea, Intersections1miDensity, Slope, Rainfall, Distance2Major10, Distance2WaterService, Distance2SewerService, Distance2Schools, Distance2Coastline, Distance2VolcanoHazard, Distance2Airports, Distance2LavaFlow1250, Distance2LavaFlow1790, Distance2Towns, Distance2ElectricService, Distance2Hospitals, Distance24CenterAdjusted, Distance2ExistingSF1, Distance2ExistingMF1, Distance2Belt10, RESAllYearsProximitySum10ft, RESAllYearsProximitySum1000ft, ValueLand, Proximity10ftParcelDensity, Proximity1000ftParcelDensity with n=132,842. A significant regression equation was found (F(27,132,815) = 73.875, p < 0.001 ) with an R2 of 0.015. After the analysis the 12 coefficients that influence Number of Residences the most are listed in the following table. Table 16. Twelve most influential variables for residential, all years Variables Beta Value Coefficient Distance2LavaFlow1250 -.062 Distance2VolcanoHazard .060 Distance2ExistingMF1 -.050 Distance2SewerService -.048 Intersections1miDensity -.043 Distance2WaterService .035 Distance2Coastline -.028 Distance2Airports .028 Rainfall -.025 Distance2Towns -.024 RESAllYearsProximitySum1000ft .022 Slope -.021 Residential Post 1995 The first multiple linear regression was calculated to predict NumberOfResidences for residential buildings built on or after 1995 based on ParcelPerimeter2DivArea, Intersections1miDensity, Slope, Rainfall, Distance2Major10, Distance2WaterService, Distance2SewerService, Distance2Schools, Distance2Coastline, Distance2VolcanoHazard, Distance2Airports, Distance2LavaFlow1250, Distance2LavaFlow1790, Distance2Towns, Distance2ElectricService, Distance2Hospitals, Distance24CenterAdjusted, Distance2ExistingSF1, Distance2ExistingMF1, Distance2Belt10, DUpost1995ProximitySum10ft, DUpost1995ProximitySum1000ft, ValueLand, Proximity10ftParcelDensity, Proximity1000ftParcelDensity with n=18,819. A significant regression equation was found (F(27,18,792) = 11.549, p < 0.001 ) with an R2 of 0.016. After the analysis the 12 coefficients that influence Number of Residences built after 1995 the most are found in the table below. Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report 23 Table 17. Twelve most influential variables for residential, post 1995 Variables Beta Value Coefficient Distance2VolcanoHazard .081 Distance2LavaFlow1250 -.057 Slope -.049 Intersections1miDensity -.044 Rainfall -.043 Distance24CenterAdjusted -.041 RESpost1995ProximitySum1000ft -.039 RESpost1995ProximitySum10ft -.032 ParcelPerimeter2DivArea .031 Distance2Coastline -.030 Distance2Schools -.029 Distance2Hospitals 0.23 Residential 1975-95 The first multiple linear regression was calculated to predict NumberOfResidences for residential buildings built on or after 1975 and before 1995 based on ParcelPerimeter2DivArea, Intersections1miDensity, Slope, Rainfall, Distance2Major10, Distance2WaterService, Distance2SewerService, Distance2Schools, Distance2Coastline, Distance2VolcanoHazard, Distance2Airports, Distance2LavaFlow1250, Distance2LavaFlow1790, Distance2Towns, Distance2ElectricService, Distance2Hospitals, Distance24CenterAdjusted, Distance2ExistingSF1, Distance2ExistingMF1, Distance2Belt10, DUpost1995ProximitySum10ft, DUpost1995ProximitySum1000ft, ValueLand, Proximity10ftParcelDensity, Proximity1000ftParcelDensity with n=23,822. A significant regression equation was found (F(27,23,795) = 17.956, p < 0.001 ) with an R2 of 0.020. After the analysis the 12 coefficients that influence Number of Residences built between 1975-95 the most are found in the table below. Table 18. Twelve most influential variables for Residential > 1975 and < 1995 Variables Absolute Value Coefficient Distance2LavaFlow1250 -.173 Distance2ExistingMF1 -.137 Distance2Airports .123 Distance2SewerService -.106 Distance2VolcanoHazard .079 Intersections1miDensity -.078 Distance2Schools .073 Distance2WaterService .073 Proximity10ftParcelDensity .064 Proximity1000ftParcelDensity -.059 Distance2LavaFlow1790 .051 Slope -.049 Page 1 of 18 Technical Methodology for General Plan Land Use (2020-2024) County of Hawaiʻi General Plan Prepared by: Amy DeBay Focused Planning Solutfons LLC August 8, 2024 Introduction Beginning in 2015, the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department has been working to update to the General Plan document adopted in 2005. This update has included reviewing and revising the General Plan Land Use map which guides the intended future use of land within the County. This document is intended to provide details on the methodology used to determine appropriate future uses for existfng urban, rural, agricultural, and open space areas of the County. General Plan Land Use The General Plan is a policy document with a future horizon of 20 years. To help guide growth and development, the General Plan includes a map of intended future use of land throughout Hawaiʻi County. In the adopted 2005 General Plan, this map is referred to as the Land Use Pattern Allocatfon Guide (LUPAG). As the County works to adopt the updated plan, the map of proposed future use is being referred to as the General Plan Land Use (GPLU) map to better tfe to the General Plan document. GPLU is not the same as the zoning code, also refered to as Chapter 25 of the Hawaiʻi County Code. The intent of the GPLU is to guide decisions about potentfal uses of land in a comprehensive way to meet the needs of a growing populatfon in the coming decades. Decisions about zoning and development should be informed by the GPLU and be consistent with the intended uses designated in the GPLU. 2019 Proposed Land Use Map and Revisions Development of the GPLU for the update began with work in 2015. At that tfme, the County did extensive analysis to identffy existfng development, examined the future capacity for development in the County, explored a number of projected growth scenarios, and compared potentfal outcomes of different growth patterns. This analysis was shared with the public in a series of workshops in 2016 and 2017 to explore community choices of how growth occurs and how County services support different growth scenarios. The outcomes of that work shaped the policy guidance for establishing a future land use plan designed to encourage growth in urban centers where services are existfng or planned. In 2019, a version of the land use map1 was shared with the public for review and comment. This document provides details on the methodology used to review public comments and revise the 2019 map resultfng in the current proposed GPLU map as part of the General Plan 2045 under public review from September 18, 2023 through April 1, 2024. 1 Future Land Use System Technical Report, Ian Varley, City Explained, Inc., March 10, 2020. Page 2 of 18 Beginning in the summer 2020, the County and Focused Planning Solutfons LLC reviewed the comments to the 2019 proposed future land use map and recommended several revisions to the map at that tfme. Additfonally, new sources of data were explored to help guide proposed revisions. From the review, several consideratfons were identffied to be explored and addressed. Consideration: The 2019 future land use designatfons removed Urban Expansion as a designatfon. Within Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB), LUPAG Urban Expansion areas were defaulted to urban uses, predominantly Low Density Urban. An unintended consequence of this method was some large shifts to urban uses in areas of the County with no planned development in the plan horizon and no existfng or planned infrastructure to support such development. Actfon: Review all LUPAG Urban Expansion designated areas to determine the criteria for proposed change in future land use. Propertfes designated as a specific change due to CDP guidance or other area plans were accepted as intended. Propertfes that were assigned the default urban uses were reviewed for consistency with State Land Use, CDP use, zoning, proposed conservatfon areas, or other potentfal plans. In CDPs with future centers identffied, urban uses were assigned based on proximity to centers. The criteria used for determining appropriate land use designatfons: • Assigned future land use is from an existfng plan document. • Earlier versions of LUPAG show a specific land use, not Urban Expansion. • Comments from public review propose land uses and County concurs with consistency. • Area is within a TOD or Center from CDPs. • Property is under public ownership with intended future use • Privately owned property has a known area plan • Where no plan is identffied, use existfng data for agriculture use, SLUD, access to infrastructure, and/or zoning district to determine appropriate designatfons. Following these steps, a determinatfon was made for UE parcels. Consideration: The 2019 future land use map introduced the Natural Areas designatfon as a broad category of open space with no intended agricultural use. LUPAG designatfons of Open and Extensive Agriculture were considered as appropriate candidates to transitfon to Natural Areas. About 25% of LUPAG is currently classified as Extensive Agriculture. In the 2019 plan, 45% of that land area changed to the Pastoral land use designatfon based on 2015 UH-Hilo agriculture study of pasture lands and 47% of LUPAG Extensive Agriculture was re-designated to Natural Areas. In current LUPAG, only about 1.4 % of the County is designated Open. About 36% of that land area was re-designated to Natural Areas. Some of these resultfng Natural Areas were identffied during the review as not consistent with existfng or intended property use. Actfon: Areas of the LUPAG map currently designated Extensive Agriculture that were proposed to transitfon to Natural Areas in the 2019 proposed land use plan were reviewed for their existfng and planned uses. The following additfonal data sources were explored to better understand existfng and intended future use: Page 3 of 18 • Carbon Assessment of Hawaiʻi landcover and habitat analysis (John Jacobi, 2015) • Historic Lava Flows (HVO, All available years) • 2015 UH-Hilo Agricultural Baseline crops and pasture data (SDAV, 2015) • Federal and State Owned Lands from Hawaiʻi County assessor data Landcover data was used to define more intentfonal boundaries for natural areas. The following criteria shaped decisions around the Natural Areas designatfon: • State owned lands – retained Natural • Bare Lands in landcover and historic lava flows – Classified as Natural • Wetlands in landcover and Cemetery in County Parks – Classified as Natural • Natfve dominant use in landcover – Classified as Natural • Agriculture dominant use – Classified as Agriculture (includes developed, alien forests) • Pastoral dominant use – Classified as Pastoral Consideration: 2019 future land use was under review at the same tfme the 2018 Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone (2018 LERZ) eruptfon recovery process was underway. At that tfme, the area impacted by the eruptfon was assigned a land use designatfon of Pending so as not to conflict with concurrent planning processes. Actfon: The Pending designatfons in the 2018 LERZ impact area were reviewed to assign appropriate future uses that would not conflict with the recovery efforts and would appropriately convey the demonstrated risk of the locatfon. The County land area also increased in this area by approximately 766 acres due to the lava flowing into Kapoho Bay and reshaping the coastline in that area. The lava flows were assigned Natural. Island areas surrounded by lava or kīpuka were assigned agricultural use designatfons to match agricultural studies for productfve crop use and or pastoral uses. The Kapoho residentfal area was also under lava flow. The former urban uses in this area were assigned natural to match these condtfons. Consideration: Parks were not always showing as recreatfon or conservatfon. Actfon: Data layers for County, State, and Federal Parks were cross-referenced with the proposed land use designatfons. Park areas not designated as recreatfon or conservatfon use were adjusted to match park boundaries. Parks in SLU conservatfon are noted as GPLU conservatfon, actfve parks with actfve use areas are noted as recreatfon, and public lands not in actfve use are noted as natural or conservatfon, such as PONC propertfes. Consideration: Industrial land uses in LUPAG and the 2019 proposed future land use plan were often inconsistent or showed conflictfng boundaries with zoning and other plans. Actfon: All industrial areas designated in LUPAG, the 2019 proposed land use plan, zoning, CDPs, and other area plans were identffied and reviewed to compare boundaries for consistency. Page 4 of 18 2021 & 2024 Proposed Land Use Map and Revisions The revisions from the 2019 process were shared in an interactfve mapping platiorm using Esri ArcGIS Online Story Maps. Story Maps provided a universally accessible locatfon to see the proposed land use alongside many other relevant data sets for infrastructure, conservatfon, hazards, facilitfes, agriculture, natfve habitat, and transportatfon. The Story Map provided an effectfve way to review proposed changes and digitfze comments directly in the mapping applicatfon. The County also began using the interactfve document platiorm, Konveio, to review draft General Plan document products and gather community input. In 2022, a series of working sessions were conducted to review the comments and the proposed changes. At this tfme, the name of the map was chosen to be the General Plan Land Use (GPLU) map to clarify the connectfon to the guiding document and purpose of the map. Some revisions to the designatfons were also made. The final proposed General Plan land uses are shown below in Table 1. Table 1: General Plan Land Use Designations General Plan Designation Changes from 2019 Proposed Plan Urban Land Use High-Density Urban Medium-Density Urban Low-Density Urban Urban Expansion Added back – after discussion, it was decided to revisit this LUPAG designatfon Light Industrial Heavy Industrial University Resort Rural Land Use Rural Agricultural Land Use Productive Agriculture Extensive Agriculture Name Change – in the 2019 plan this was referred to as Pastoral Use Natural Name Change – in the 2019 plan this was referred to as Natural Areas Open Space Land Use Recreation Conservation Page 5 of 18 The 2022 working sessions were conducted to review land use designatfons categorically. Using a live working session format, questfons were explored about map designatfons in real tfme, identffying areas to flag for review. Comments from the previous online review platiorm were also reviewed to determine appropriate responses and actfons. In sessions exploring urban designatfons, uses near centers and development plans were considered. Inclusion of the Urban Expansion designatfon as a proposed land use provided an opportunity to revisit appropriate locatfons for that use: • Review areas of LUPAG within Urban Expansion. • Look at undeveloped existfng land use • Exclude areas that are already at capacity, map those at the capacity • Exclude state owned conservatfon, critfcal habitat, county parks. • Within TODs, use the appropriate high or medium urban designatfons. The next sessions explored rural and agriculture uses for consistency with State Land Use, zoning, and the 2020 UH-Hilo Agriculture data. Conservatfon and Natural areas were reviewed for consistency with State Land Use, natfve habitat landcover data, and area plans for conservatfon. These review sessions highlighted areas for potentfal changes to better align with intended criteria. After incorporatfng recommendatfons to the GPLU map in the spring-summer 2023, an interactfve mapping platiorm was designed to provide a single locatfon for public users to review the proposed map and add comments. The mapping platiorm links to the Konveio General Plan document review platiorm directly, allowing users to derive document searches from the map and to query the map based on questfons in the document. The public review process concluded on April 1, 2024. Over 200 comments were provided on the GPLU maps. From the public review process, a few consideratfons were identffied and reviewed. Consideration: Some areas assigned Urban Expansion land use are currently developed as urban. Actfon: Review existfng development in Urban Epansion to identffy areas that are built or at capacity and assign consistent urban designatfons. Consideration: The Kona CDP identffied areas at high elevatfon for consideratfon of protectfon to help with water protectfon, landslide risk, and natfve habitat. Actfon: Review lands in the County above 2,500 feet elevatfon for possible Natural designatfon. Property in public ownership identffied for Natural designatfon. Consideration: Lands identffied by the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservatfon Commission (PONC) should be designated as conservatfon lands. Actfon: Map the PONC lands and reclassify to Conservatfon Land Use. Consideration: The coastal buffer for the island was initfally proposed to have Recreatfon as the universal designatfon. Many coastal areas are in SLUD Conservatfon areas. Page 6 of 18 Actfon: Review coastline for SLUD classificatfon. Convert SLUD Conservatfon and Agriculture to GPLU Conservatfon. Confirm SLUD Urban as GPLU Recreatfon. Results Appendix B provides the graphic analysis of changes in land use from adopted LUPAG through the proposed GPLU. The land use comparisons demonstrate the County policy goals to increase Conservatfon and Natural uses, retain Productfve Agriculture, reduce or more specifically define urban footprints, and provide more areas for Rural. Page 7 of 18 Appendix A – List of Additional Data and Sources HVO, U. (All available years). Past and Present Lava Flows for Hawaii Island. John Jacobi, U. P. (2015, 01 01). Carbon Assessment of Hawaii Habitat Status. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/592dee75e4b092b266efeb6e SDAV. (2015). 2015 Hawaii Statewide Agricultural Land Use Baseline layer. Page 8 of 18 Appendix B: General Plan Land Use Changes by District Hawaiʻi County (approximately 2,578,828 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (143,033 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (146,802 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (144,604 acres) Hawaiʻi County Breakdown of Other Land Use Types Hāmākua (approximately 404,337 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (2,763 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (1,602 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (1,715 acres) Hāmākua Breakdown of Other Land Use Types North Hilo (approximately 167,230 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (853 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (659 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (681 acres) North Hilo Breakdown of Other Land Use Types South Hilo (approximately 255,518 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (20,292 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (19,936 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (21,289 acres) South Hilo Breakdown of Other Land Use Types Puna (approximately 321,604 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (43,854 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (53,607 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (39,017 acres) Puna Breakdown of Other Land Use Types Kaʻū (approximately 661,461 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (15,360 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (23,103 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (22,599 acres) Kaʻū Breakdown of Other Land Use Types South Kona (approximately 146,964 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (1,994 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (1,601 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (2,966 acres) South Kona Breakdown of Other Land Use Types North Kona (approximately 365,585 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (28,646 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (26,755 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (25,485 acres) North Kona Breakdown of Other Land Use Types South Kohala (approximately 176,135 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (25,645 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (15,811 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (23,533 acres) South Kohala Breakdown of Other Land Use Types North Kohala (approximately 79,993 acres) 2005 LUPAG 2019 Proposed Land Use 2024 Proposed Land Use 2005 LUPAG (3,625 acres) 2019 Proposed Land Use (4,267 acres) 2024 Proposed Land Use (7,319 acres) North Kohala Breakdown of Other Land Use Types From:Chuck Flaherty To:WPCtestimony Subject:Re: GP2045, late written testimony plus attachments - 2 of 2 Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 12:03:20 PM Attachments:080116_Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies_FINAL.pdf Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the Commission, Kala mai for not getting my written testimony to you prior to the meeting. Please see testimony below and attached documents to which I was referring in my testimony that have been a part of the General Plan Comprehensive Review process and should have been provided to the Commission, as well as the public. Documents attached to this e-mail: Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project, Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Because of the large size of the documents, I have sent the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project report in this second e-mail. Mahalo, Chuck Flaherty ******************************************************* November 1, 2024 Windward Planning Commission 101 Pauahi St, Ste 103 Hilo HI 96720 Re: Final draft General Plan 2045 Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the Windward Planning Commission, My name is Chuck Flaherty. I am speaking on my personal behalf today. Mahalo nui loa for your volunteer service on this Commission. This special meeting and agenda item should have been given more time. If you have read the draft GP2045, then we now have had a shared experience ofattempting to compare it to the current General Plan. The feedback that I’ve gotten fromother members of the public is that this comparison has been an almost impossible task because GP2045 is a complete gut-and-replace of the current General Plan. Also, placing the GP2045 online in two different software platforms has disenfranchised a large number of people who have made sincere efforts to make informed comments, but are technologically- challenged. As a general statement, the draft GP2045 does not contain sufficient imperative and directive language to provide reasonable assurance that it will be implemented. That being said, there are documents that are relevant to the draft General Plan that should have been provided to the Commission. It may be that these documents are the ones that have been submitted today, but I will review the list with you to make sure. I've also attached them to this e-mail so they may be forwarded to the Commission's members. The most important of the documents not provided to the Commission is the draft General Plan 2040 that was released in August 2019 by then-Planning Director Michael Yee. The reason GP2040 is so important is because it shows the extent to which public access and cultural, historic, and scenic resource preservation policies and actions contained within GP2040 were removed and not included in GP2045. For instance, the Sustainability Objective on page 108 states, “Native Hawaiian language, values, and practices are integrated into all County processes.” This objective has been cleansed from the draft GP now before the Commission. Another document is a report titled “Hawai’i County Scenic Resources Inventory andMapping Project, Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies” prepared for thePlanning Department in August 2016. The Policies and Actions in GP2040 included theprograms and strategies recommended by this report. However, GP2045 removed thesepolicies and actions and now GP2045 only contains a reference to the report. Another report not in the Commission’s initial board packet is the Trend Scenario and Land Use Allocation Technical Report, published in April 2016. This report contains important information, such as how many dwellings can be built with existing zoning, subdivision approvals, and building permits. Another critical report not included in the Commission’s initial board packet is the TechnicalMethodology for General Plan Land Use (2020-2024). This report was not released untilAugust 2024. It should have been released a year earlier because it contains informationthat the public has been requesting since last September 2023, such as explanations of howthe GP2045 land use maps were developed. I would like to give an example of why General Plan land use designations are so important. Let’s use the example of a property owner who wants to rezone and subdivide 300 acres in the state land use Agriculture district. If the property owner applies to rezone and subdivide for Ag-1 lots, the owner could be granted approvals. Now let’s say the property owner wants to subsequently have the subdivision moved to the state land use Rural district, so that amenities, such as a members’ lodge, could be built. The owner would have to file a petition with the state Land Use Commission (LUC) for boundary amendment and the petition would go before the LUC for consideration. And let’s say the owner asks the county to use the general plan comprehensive review process to redesignate the subdivision from Agricultural to Rural in the GP land use map and let’s say the county makes the change in the GP land use map. Because the individual lots in the subdivision are Ag-1, that is, less than 15 acres, the state LUC would no longer have jurisdiction and individual land owners could then petition the county to have their lot(s) redesignated from the state land use Agriculture district to Rural and also apply for county rezoning to Rural as well. The bottom line is that while the project owner cannot request a state land use boundary amendment involving more than 15 acres because the Planning Director would have redesignated the GP land use map to Rural for all lots in the project’s subdivision, the individual lot owner(s) can apply to the county have their 1 acre lots redesignated to the state land use Rural district and apply for county rezoning to Rural in order to accrue the ability to have expanded property rights and uses on their lots. Presently, the Planning Director is refusing to provide the reason that he is proposing such changes to the GP land use map. Mahalo, Chuck Flaherty Captain Cook Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Prepared for: The Department of Planning Long-range Planning Division 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Prepared by: Planning Consultants Hawaii, LLC 2331 W. Main Street Wailuku, Hawaii 96793 808/269-6220 msummers@planningconsultantshawaii.com August 1, 2016 Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | ii PROJECT PURPOSE 1 COUNTY ENABLING LEGISLATION 2 PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS 3 OVERVIEW OF STUDY 4 VIEW PLANE PROTECTION PROGRAMS 5 STATE OF HAWAII, COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1978, HRS CHAPTER 205A 5 IMPLEMENTATION 6 MAUI COUNTY’S EXPERIENCE 7 SMA PERMITTING 7 PROGRAM SUCCESS 8 RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS 9 APPLICABILITY TO HAWAII COUNTY 10 COUNTY OF NAPA, CALIFORNIA 11 IMPLEMENTATION 12 PROGRAM ELEMENTS 13 APPLICABILITY TO HAWAII COUNTY 14 STOWE, VERMONT 15 IMPLEMENTATION 15 PROGRAM ELEMENTS 16 APPLICABILITY TO HAWAII COUNTY 17 STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MAINE 18 IMPLEMENTATION 19 PROGRAM ELEMENTS 20 APPLICABILITY TO HAWAII COUNTY 21 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES 21 CANYON OAKS STORY POLES 22 WAIKAPU COUNTRY TOWN, COMPUTER GENERATED PHOTOMONTAGE 23 THE SILL, LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 25 VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN, VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 25 RECOMMENDATIONS 28 Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | iii APPENDICIES: APPENDIX A Napa County Viewshed Protection Program APPENDIX B Stowe Vermont, Ridgelines/Hillsides Overlay District APPENDIX C State Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Chapter 315, “Assessing and Mitigating Impact to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses APPENDIX D Canyon Oaks Story Poles APPENDIX E Waikapu Country Town Visual Impact Assessment APPENDIX F The Sill, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment APPENDIX G Village Specific Plan, Visual Impact Assessment Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 1 Project Purpose The County of Hawai’i Planning Department initiated a comprehensive review of the General Plan in February 2015. As required by HRS §226-58 and Hawai’i County Charter §3-15, the Plan must include, among other things, objectives, policies, and implementation actions for land use, natural resources conservation, and the preservation of scenic beauty, open space, and other scenic resources. The County of Hawai’i contracted Planning Consultants Hawai’i to conduct an inventory of the County’s scenic resources along its State Highways and select County roadways. The “Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project” accomplished the following objectives: 1. Identified and inventoried Hawai‘i County’s scenic, viewshed, and open space resources using digital photography and Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS); 2. Mapped the scenic resources using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and for use with geodesign-based scenario modeling (i.e., CommunityViz); and 3. Described and prioritized the scenic resources using prescribed standards and practices. The purpose of this element of the study is to document methods that can be developed and implemented to protect the County’s scenic resources for future generations. The study will bring forth scenic resource protection programs and methods that are in use elsewhere. The objective is to conduct research on view plane protection strategies that different local, state, and federal government units have adopted that might serve as a model to assist County planners and policy makers in the development of a scenic resources protection program tailored to the unique needs of Hawaii County. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 2 Unique visual landscapes found in Hawaii County. County Enabling Legislation Hawaii County Code §25-6-60 establishes that the Hawai‘i County Council may designate scenic roadway corridors. The ordinance further states that the County must prepare a Scenic Corridor Management Plan to “preserve, maintain, protect, or enhance the intrinsic character of the corridor.” The Management Plan would necessarily include design standards and conditions to implement the purpose of the Plan. The ordinance states that in the establishment of scenic roadway corridors the following criteria must be met: 1) Is consistent with the intent and purpose of the Zoning Code and the County General Plan. 2) Will not result in a substantial adverse impact upon the surrounding area, community and/or region. 3) Will enhance Hawai‘i County’s significant natural, visual, recreation, historic and/or cultural qualities. 4) Will protect and enhance the attractiveness of Hawai‘i County to make it a better place to live, work, visit, and/or play. 5) Will improve Hawai‘i County’s economic vitality by enhancing and protecting our unique natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and/or recreational resources. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 3 6) Is located on a major or minor arterial highway, or collector road. 7) Significantly possesses at least one of the following intrinsic qualities: scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological, recreational, or demonstrates local, private, and public support and participation. Moreover, the ordinance establishes a clear process for the establishment of scenic resource corridors. These steps include: 1) The Planning Director or Council introduces a resolution to initiate the establishment of a scenic corridor. 2) Notice is served to all owners and lessees of property within 300 feet of the proposed corridor. 3) Within 24 months of the adoption of the resolution, the Planning Director or a corridor advocacy group identified in the resolution completes a corridor management plan and enabling ordinance. A scenic corridor management plan is a written document that assesses the intrinsic qualities of the corridor and specifies actions, procedures, controls, and administrative as well as community strategies that will be pursued to maintain those qualities. 4) Within 120 days, the Planning Commission reviews the proposed plan and ordinance, holds a public hearing, and makes a recommendation to Council. 5) The Council may adopt the plan by ordinance, with or without conditions. Programmatic Needs While the County has a strong policy foundation upon which to develop a scenic resources protection program1, such a program has not yet been developed. Programmatic gaps that currently exist include:  Establishing scenic roadway corridors pursuant to the requirements of Hawaii County Code §25-6-60;  Preparing the Scenic Corridor Management Plan;  Developing application requirements;  Developing permit conditions, such as design guidelines, landscaping, screening, or structural setbacks from major thoroughfares and highways, to mitigate any visual impacts from development. 1 See Pages 1 through 3 of the Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Final Methods Report. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 4 Historic Kailua Kona Town. Overview of Study Recognizing the positive economic and quality of life benefits derived from scenic resources, many jurisdictions throughout the United States have implemented programs to protect these resources for present and future generations. Scenic resource protection programs typically arise from strong public policy directives to mitigate development impacts to scenic views. Planning Consultants Hawai’i has examined view plane protection programs across local, state and federal government jurisdictions in the United States, England and Australia to identify current best practice for protecting scenic resources. A common thread across the programs surveyed is that regulatory controls are preceded by clear policy directives that mandate the protection of scenic resources from development impacts. The County of Hawaii’s General Plan has very clear policy directives to 1) protect its scenic resources from development impacts, 2) identify the scenic resources that are to be protected, and 3) establish regulations to protect these resources. The primary purpose of the “Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project” was to inventory, document, and rate scenic views along the County’s State and County roadways. The information derived provides the basis for the development of regulatory Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 5 Hawaii County’s pastoral and agricultural landscapes are an important scenic resource. interventions to protect these resources. The inventory and mapping study also provides extensive location specific data including written observations, digital photography and GIS mapping that will greatly assist with the development of mitigation strategies tailored to the uniqueness of the landscapes that are to be protected. This study documents scenic resource protection programs and strategies employed in other jurisdictions that may inform the development of programs appropriate to Hawaii County. The study concludes by providing specific recommendations for actions needed to establish a scenic resources protection program in Hawaii County. View Plane Protection Programs State of Hawaii, Coastal Zone Management Act of 1978, HRS Chapter 205A The Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Act of 1978, HRS 205A, mandates that the Counties implement the ten (10) objectives of the coastal zone management program. Among these objectives, HRS 205A-2 (b) (5) addresses scenic and open space resources by requiring each County to: “Protect, preserve, and, where desirable, restore or improve the quality of coastal scenic and open space resources”. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 6 HRS 205A further provides a number of policies to achieve each objective of the law. HRS 205A-2 (c) (3) lists four policies to achieve scenic and open space resource objectives. These include: A. Identify valued scenic resources in the coastal zone management area; B. Ensure that new developments are compatible with their visual environment by designing and locating such developments to minimize the alteration of natural landforms and existing public views to and along the shoreline; C. Preserve, maintain, and, where desirable, improve and restore shoreline open space and scenic resources; and D. Encourage those developments that are not coastal dependent to locate in inland areas. The law further states that the County “shall seek to minimize where reasonable any development which would substantially interfere with or detract from the line of sight toward the sea from the state highway nearest the coast, or from the existing public views to and along the shoreline.” Implementation Any “development” proposed within a Special Management Area (SMA) must obtain a Special Management Area Minor or Major permit. In issuing the permit, the County must determine that the project is consistent with HRS 205A-2 (c) (3). Thus, it is the County’s responsibility to review development within the SMA, and prior to issuing an SMA permit, ensure that the development is consistent with the above-referenced SMA scenic resource objectives and policies. If the development is found not compatible, then it is the County’s responsibility to require changes to the project’s design and/or location to ensure consistency. Hawaii County’s diverse coastal views are protected by SMA objectives and policies. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 7 Maui County’s Experience HRS Chapter 205A requires that the SMA boundary be located at least 100 yards inland from the shoreline. However, Maui County’s Special Management Area typically extends inland to the nearest State Highway paralleling the coastline, which in coastal communities like Kihei, extends nearly a mile inland. In some areas, Maui County’s Special Management Area extends inland of the State highway, such as in Kahului, where the boundary extends approximately 3,000 feet inland to the intersection of Wakea Avenue and West Kamehameha Avenue. Because a preponderance of Maui’s urban lands are located along the shoreline and inland of the State Highways, much of its urban development has been subject to SMA permitting requirements, which requires an analysis of consistency with HRS 205A-2 (c) (3). SMA Permitting Maui County SMA Minor permits are approved administratively by the Planning Department. Maui County SMA Major Permits are processed by the Planning Department, but ultimately approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the Maui Planning Commission. The Planning Department prepares the staff and recommendation reports and transmits these to the Maui Planning Commission for decision making at a noticed public hearing. Prior to finalizing its staff and recommendation reports, the Planning Department will require that the project be presented to the County’s Urban Design and Review Board (UDRB) for comment. The UDRB is a nine member board appointed by the Mayor that has specialized professional expertise in urban design. The UDRB will review the project’s site plan, architecture and civil engineering. It is not uncommon for the UDRB to raise concerns pertaining to scenic resource impacts. Thus, the SMA permitting process provides the Planning Department, UDRB and the Maui Planning Commission the opportunity to address development impacts to scenic resources within the coastal zone. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 8 Program Success It is Planning Consultants Hawaii’s professional opinion that SMA policies have had just limited success in protecting scenic resources within Maui County’s coastal zone. There are several reasons for the modest performance, including: 1. Existing Community Plan and Zoning Designations. The bulk of Maui’s developed shoreline and coastal lands were community planned and zoned in the early 1970’s with little consideration for how such significant development could impact scenic resources. The County’s early community plans neither documented the scenic resources warranting special protections nor provided sufficient guidance to help mitigate development impacts. As such, during a period of prolonged and rapid urbanization of the County’s coastal lands, SMA permitting was the principal safeguard to address scenic resource impacts, but it was just modestly successful at protecting these resources. 2. Lack of Scenic Resources Protection Process, Procedures and Standards. Although developments within the SMA are reviewed for consistency with SMA scenic resource objectives and policies, there are no criteria for determining when an impact has occurred, if the impact is acceptable or not acceptable, and what measures should be taken to mitigate scenic resource impacts. The current SMA process relies upon the discretion of the County’s staff planner, who most likely has not received formal training nor been provided with sufficient guidance for how best to mitigate scenic resource impacts within the SMA. Considerable urban development exists within Hilo and Kona’s SMA boundaries. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 9 Likewise, the UDRB and Maui Planning Commission have also not received sufficient training on scenic resource impact management and mitigation. 3. Maui Coastal Scenic Resources Study (August 1990). Recognizing these shortcomings in the SMA permitting process, the County of Maui’s Planning Department commissioned the above-referenced study in 1990 to address the following gaps:  Inventory and describe scenic resources within the developed and developing areas of the SMA;  Propose measures, if necessary, to improve the quality of these resources;  Develop a scenic resources design manual; and  Establish a training program for Planning Department staff. The study recommended that the design manual be used by the UDRB as well for reviewing coastal developments; and the study recommended the establishment of an in-house evaluation committee to “specialize in the review of coastal projects.” Unfortunately, the study’s recommendations were never implemented by the Department. The study continues to serve as a resource for both SMA Permit Applicants and Planning Department staff to help determine if a development is within an area of the SMA that may contain visual resources. However, the design manual is rarely used to determine appropriate mitigation and the training and evaluation programs were never institutionalized. Recommendations to Improve the Process Maui County’s reliance upon SMA permitting to protect coastal scenic resources could be significantly improved through enhanced training of Planning Department staff, the UDRB and the Maui Planning Commission. Practices should be put into place to produce more consistent documentation of scenic resource impacts and to identify appropriate mitigation strategies and standards for determining if the development is consistent with the SMA’s scenic resources objectives and policies. Maui County could amend its SMA Rules (§12-202) to ensure more effective scenic resource protection through HRS 205A. Such amendments could include the addition of: 1) a design manual to be used for the mitigation of scenic resource impacts; 2) application content requirements for projects that produce scenic resource impacts; 3) criteria for Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 10 documenting and evaluating scenic resource impacts; and 4) standards for determining levels of acceptable impact. Maui County could also better protect its scenic resources through on-going training of Planning Department staff, UDRB and the Planning Commission in scenic resource impact evaluation and mitigation. Applicability to Hawaii County Much of Maui’s urban development has been subject to SMA Permitting, which requires consistency with the SMA objectives and policies. However, the lack of a defined process with supporting procedures, criteria and standards together with training has resulted in only modest protection of the island’s coastal scenic resources. Any scenic resources protection program implemented by Hawaii County should ensure that such program weaknesses are not apparent. It is important to note that while some of Hawai‘i County’s urban lands are located within the SMA, a larger portion are not. In addition, because of its vast and rural nature, many exceptional and important views in Hawai‘i County are mountain (mauka) or agricultural views. Therefore, developments in these areas are not subject to SMA permitting requirements. For example, the inventory and mapping study identified many important and exceptional views in urban areas, such as the Hilo and Waimea views below that are not located in the SMA. Hawai‘i County may want to consider amending its SMA boundary to include some of the coastal exceptional and important views, provided that Hilo and Waimea urban views. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 11 other criteria for amending the boundaries are met as well. In addition, Hawai‘i County may want to consider other protective overlays used in other jurisdictions to ensure its mauka and agricultural views are protected. County of Napa, California Napa County has adopted a Viewshed Protection Program to protect the quality of its scenic resources. The program implements the goals and polices of the Napa County general plan including its land use, open space, conservation, circulation and scenic highway elements. The program is codified as Chapter 18.106, “Viewshed Protection Program” of the County’s zoning ordinance (See: Appendix A, “Napa County Viewshed Protection Program”). Section 18.1206.010 states that the program is intended to accomplish the following: A. Provide hillside development standards to minimize the impact of man- made structures and grading on views of existing landforms, unique geologic features, existing landscape features and open space as seen from designated public roads within the county; B. Protect and preserve views of major and minor ridgelines from designated public roads; C. Create a development review process that maximizes administrative, staff level approval of projects which meet administrative standards, while also providing a vehicle for review by the zoning administrator or planning commission of those projects that do not meet the administrative standards; D. Minimize cut and fill, earthmoving, grading operations and other such man-made effects on the natural terrain to ensure that finished slopes are compatible with existing land character; and E. Promote architecture and designs that are compatible with hillside terrain and minimize visual impacts. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 12 Views towards the horizon along the South Kona coast. Implementation The Viewshed Protection Program is implemented through the County’s zoning ordinance. The ordinance applies to building, erosion control and grading permits located on a slope of fifteen percent or more or on minor or major ridgelines as defined by the ordinance. The Director of the Conservation, Development and Planning Department, or the Director’s designee, is responsible for determining if the project meets the administrative criteria and substantially conforms to the Design Manual. If the project does not meet the criteria, the Director may transmit the application to the Napa Valley Conservation Commission and the Commission must grant an exception pursuant to Section 18.106.070. In order for the Commission to grant an exception, the Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 13 Commission must find that conformance would produce greater visual impacts and greater impacts to existing landforms. Moreover, the Commission must find that measures have been taken to mitigate the project’s visual impacts. Program Elements Major program elements include:  Standardized application and approval process. The process is codified in the County’s zoning ordinance, which clearly describes how visual impacts are evaluated, potential mitigative measures and how applications are processed.  Viewshed Protection Program Application Packet. Among the program’s application content requirements are: 1) Proposed site plan, 2) Topographic map/preliminary grading plan, 3) Building/structure elevations, 4) Landscaping and/or vegetation retention plan, 5) Exterior lighting plan, and 6) Visual impact analysis. The Visual Impact Analysis may include one or more of the following:  Story poles (the temporary placement of a mock wooden skeleton in the general shape of the building, then draping plastic orange snow fencing around the roofline to portray the visual prominence and bulk of the proposed structure);  Computer simulation;  Photomontage;  Picture or visual as viewed from designated public road at point(s) where the structure(s) is/are visible;  Appropriately scaled model; and  Additional views or materials as required by staff from other vantage points.  Design Manual. The Design Manual is defined in the Napa County Viewshed Protection Program ordinance as follows: "Design Manual" shall mean the manual entitled "Viewshed Protection Manual" on file with the Napa County conservation, development and planning Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 14 Hawaii County’s historic bridges are important scenic resources for the structures themselves as well as for the scenic integrity of the landscapes seen from the bridges. department. The Design Manual shall contain graphic examples of major and minor ridgelines, projects which do and do not meet the criteria contained in this chapter, and landscape plan provisions. Applicability to Hawaii County The Napa County Viewshed Protection Program may serve as a helpful model for Hawaii County as it develops a program to address its scenic resource protection objectives. The program embodies a standardized application and approval process, Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 15 clear application content requirements and a design manual unique to Napa’s program objectives. Stowe, Vermont The Town of Stowe, Vermont adopted the Ridgelines/Hillsides Overlay District (RHOD) to protect its scenic and ecological resources. The overlay district is implemented through the Town of Stowe Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. Overlay districts are zoning regulations that are typically applied to geographic areas that have unique geographical, environmental or socio-economic conditions that warrant special regulations. These regulations are attached to the existing zoning ordinance and are in addition to and not in lieu of those regulations (See: Appendix B, Stowe, Vermont Ridgelines/Hillsides Overlay District”). The purpose of the Stowe overlay district is described as follows: The purpose of the Ridgelines/Hillsides Overlay District (RHOD) is to protect the scenic and ecological resources associated with lands characterized by high elevations, steep slopes and visual sensitivity in a manner that allows for carefully designed, low- impact development. Implementation The RHOD is applicable to any development proposed on lands within the Overlay District. Development within the RHOD must submit a hillside development plan that is reviewed by the Development Review Board (DRB). The DRB determines if the project is classified as “minor” or “significant”. There are established criteria that the DRB follows to make this determination. Minor projects may proceed with their development permits. Significant projects are subject to review by the DRB, in accordance with the RHOD process and standards codified by ordinance. The process includes the submittal of an application package, scheduling of a public hearing, review by the DRB and either approval, approval with conditions or disapproval of the site development plan within 45 days of the public hearing. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 16 Program Elements Major program elements include:  Standardized review and approval process. The RHOD process is codified in the Town’s overlay district ordinance, which clearly describes which projects are considered to have “minor” impacts and which are considered to have “significant impacts”; projects having significant impacts are subject to DRB review. The ordinance also contains standards and guidelines for determining potential impacts to vantage points and for guiding development in a manner that minimizes its impact upon scenic resources.  Application Submission/Content Requirements. Among the program’s application submission/content requirements are materials that may include: 1) Site development plan, 2) Grading plan, 3) Lighting plan, 4) Visibility studies, 5) Stormwater management/erosion control plan, 6) architectural plans and renderings, 7) Access plan, and 8) Slope analysis. Visibility studies may include viewshed analysis, line of site sections, site photography and other means to assess the visual impact of the proposed application. On site measures such as plywood and pole mock-ups, and survey tape layout of site elements may also be required in the event the site is deemed to be sensitive by the DRB.  Standards and Guidelines. The RHOD ordinance contains Standards and Guidelines that the Applicant, Staff and the DRB rely upon to mitigate scenic resource impacts. The ordinance defines the following terms as follows: "Adverse" indicates a negative impact on an identified resource. "Undue Adverse" indicates that the proposed development violates one or more of the Standards set forth in this ordinance and that the impacts cannot be mitigated. Standards are statements that express the development and design intentions of this overlay district. All development within this district must comply with these standards. The Standards reflect Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 17 Hawaii County’s scenic resources are dramatically influenced by geology, climate and topography. the visual and environmental concerns of the community in terms of the Town's hillsides and ridgelines. Guidelines are instructive in nature. They suggest a variety of means by which the applicant might comply with the standards. The options for compliance are not limited to the guidelines listed, but the applicant can use the list to aid in the design process. Illustrations graphically portray the prescriptions and concepts conveyed in both the Standards and Guidelines. The program’s deployment of standards and guidelines supported by illustrations that are used in conjunction with a standardized approval and review process creates the basis for a powerful scenic resources preservation program. Applicability to Hawaii County The Town of Stowe’s overlay district may serve as a helpful model for Hawaii County as it develops a program to accomplish its scenic resource protection objectives. The overlay ordinance embodies a standardized application and approval process; clear application content requirements; and scenic resource standards, guidelines and illustrations that may serve as a helpful model for the development of a program to protect Hawaii County’s scenic resources. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 18 Kailua Kona seaside view. State Department of Environmental Protection, Maine The Department of Environmental Protection enacted Chapter 315, “Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses”, to implement the State’s Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). The NRPA requires that applicants proposing activities occurring in, on, over, or adjacent to protected natural resources demonstrate that these activities will not unreasonably interfere with existing scenic and aesthetic resources (See: Appendix C, State Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Chapter 315, “Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses”). The purpose of the Chapter states: This rule specifies State regulatory concerns, defines visual impacts, establishes a procedure for evaluating visual impacts Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 19 generated from proposed activities, establishes when a visual assessment may be necessary, explains the components of a visual assessment when required, and describes avoidance, mitigation, and offset measures that may eliminate or reduce unreasonable adverse impacts to existing scenic and aesthetic uses. Implementation Chapter 35 applies to “the alteration of a coastal wetland, great pond, freshwater wetland, fragile mountain area, river, stream, or brook, as defined in the M.S.R.A § 480- B of the Natural Resources Protection Act, that requires an individual permit or is eligible for Tier 3 review.” The Chapter requires that the Department determine the following when an activity is proposed:  Presence of a scenic resource listed in Section 10 of the NRPA;  Significance of the scenic resource;  Character of the surrounding environment;  Expectations of the current viewer;  Extent and intransience of the activity;  Project purpose; and  Context of the proposed activity. The Department is instructed that “unreasonable adverse visual impacts are those that are expected to unreasonably interfere with the general public’s visual enjoyment and appreciation of a scenic resource, or those that otherwise unreasonably impair the character or quality of such a place.” The Department’s visual impact assessment is based on the following:  Landscape compatibility. The project’s impact on the color, form, line and texture of the environment by whether it differs significantly from its existing surroundings;  Scale contrast. The project’s size and scope given its location within the viewshed of a scenic resource; and Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 20  Spatial dominance. The degree to which an activity dominates the landscape composition or dominates landform, water, or sky backdrop as viewed from a scenic resource. The rule states that “an application may be denied if the activity will have an unreasonable impact on the visual quality of a protected natural resources as viewed from a scenic resource even if the activity has no practical alternative and the applicant has minimized the proposed alteration and its impacts through mitigation.” Program Elements Major program elements include:  Application Submission/Content Requirements. The Applicant must describe the location of the activity and provide an inventory of scenic resources within the viewshed. This is accomplished by having the Applicant complete the MDEP Visual Evaluation Field Survey Checklist.  Visual Impact Assessments. If deemed necessary by the Department, the Applicant may be required to have a qualified design professional prepare a visual impact assessment to document the impact of the project. The assessment must illustrate the proposed changes to the environment and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. The assessment must include a narrative of the project, discussion of the significance of the impacts, level of use and viewer expectations, and mitigation measures incorporated into the design. The rule notes that line-of-sight profiles are one acceptable means for documenting impacts. It is also noted that photo simulations and computer generated graphics may be required for more sensitive landscapes.  Mitigation. In reviewing an Application, the Department is to consider if the project is compatible with its surroundings, and if mitigation has been incorporated to reduce the project’s scenic resource impacts. Design strategies promulgated in the rules include:  Planning and siting. Locate structures in a way on the site to limit the structure’s adverse impacts within the viewshed.  Design. Applicants should utilize screening, buffers, earthen berms, camouflage, low profile, downsizing, non-standard Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 21 materials, lighting, and alternative technologies to minimize impacts.  Offsets. If scenic resource impacts are unavoidable, applicants may propose “offset” improvements within the viewshed that would enhance the scenic resource in other ways. An offset may be developing a scenic overlook to provide greater access to the scenic resource.  Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Evaluating Impacts. The Department’s Bureau of Land and Water enacted standards to assist staff in evaluating scenic and aesthetic use impacts. The guidelines require that staff be trained in the use of a visual impact assessment (VIA) form (Appendix C) and Visual Impact Assessment Matrix (VIM) (Appendix C). The VIA form assesses the project’s compatibility with various elements of the landscape using descriptive indicators and a ratings scoring. The VIM form determines the significance of the visual impact and appropriate mitigation in response to the severity of the impact. Applicability to Hawaii County Maine’s Department of Environmental Management has adopted rules to implement State policy to protect the scenic quality found in its rivers, streams, mountains and other environmental resources. The rules establish an application process, submission requirements, appropriate mitigation strategies and guidelines and standards for evaluating scenic resource impacts. The Department’s rules may serve as a helpful model for Hawaii County as it develops a program to address the County’s scenic resource protection objectives. Hawaii County is blessed with rural landscapes of a diversity of colors and textures. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 22 Visual Impact Assessment Techniques As documented in this report, visual impact assessment should be preceded by documenting the scenic resources to be protected. Thereafter, criteria and/or guidelines should be developed to help the assessor evaluate how, and to what extent, a scenic resource is being degraded by a proposed action. Once a standardized process is in place, visual impact assessment methods should be deployed to document project induced impacts. The visual impact assessment techniques most commonly used to document scenic resource impacts include: 1. Line-of-sight analysis. A graphic line between two points on a surface that shows where along the line the view is being obstructed. This analysis can be performed using ARC GIS. 2. Story poles. The temporary placement of a mock structure or poles at the height and massing of a structure to simulate the impact of the structure on scenic resources. 3. Computer simulation. The use of computers to simulate pre- and post-project conditions by creating a computerized model of the height, scale and architectural character of a structure together with the existing natural and built environment surrounding it. 4. Photomontage. Creating a composite photograph by incorporating elements from two or more photographs into a new image. Image editing software is often used and the process is commonly referred to as “photoshopping”. These techniques are elaborated upon through their application in the following visual impact assessment case studies: Canyon Oaks Story Poles The City of Calabasas, California, requires projects to conduct a story pole analysis if they are located within its “Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone”, or if they are requesting height variances. The purpose of installing story poles is to assess the visual impact of the project (See: Appendix D, Canyon Oaks Story Poles). Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 23 Mauka views from Alii Drive in Kailua Kona document how building height and separation can be used to preserve view corridors towards Hualalai. The case study described in Appendix D documents an application that was made to the City’s Planning Commission to install story poles, in accordance with a proposed story pole plan. The Applicant was seeking an approval from the Planning Commission to proceed with the story pole plan. The story pole analysis was intended to document the scenic resource impacts of a development comprising 67 single-family residences, two duplexes and a four-story hotel. Approximately 80% of the 77-acre site was to remain in open space. The Application to the Planning Commission comprised the following:  Development summary;  Project site plan superimposed onto an aerial photograph;  Documentation of views from the abutting roadways;  Architectural Sections of the project;  Story pole plans; and  Story pole plan with computer simulation of post development condition. (See: Appendix D, pages 14 through 19). Waikapu Country Town, Computer Generated Photomontage A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was filed with the State Land Use Commission to assess the impacts associated with the development of a 1,433 unit mixed-use development in Waikapu, Maui. The Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 24 Chapter 343, trigger for the DEIS was an amendment to the County’s General Plan. The project also requires a change in the State Land Use District from Agricultural to Urban and Rural. The project site is within the County’s directed growth boundary and is consistent with the County’s directed growth plan. The Maui Island Plan (MIP) identifies the Honoapiilani highway fronting the project as a “scenic corridor” with “high” resource value. The MIP has policies that stipulate the protection of scenic resources including views of the West Maui Mountains, Haleakala, agricultural lands and the Pacific Ocean. In reviewing the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (EISPN), the Planning Department’s staff planner requested that the impacts to views along the Honoapiilani Highway be assessed in the DEIS. In response to the Planning Department’s request, the Applicant prepared a series of computer generated photomontages to document the visual impacts of the development on the landscape (See: Appendix E, Waikapu Country Town Visual Impact Assessment). As described in the DEIS, the Applicant incorporated several mitigation measures into the design to help reduce the project’s visual impacts, including:  Increasing the depth of the setbacks along the highway;  Limiting the scale and height of buildings along the highway;  Increasing the separation between buildings;  Aligning internal roadways in a manner to create scenic corridors, where possible; and  Incorporating canopy shade trees and other landscape planting treatments Low roof profiles preserve expansive views of Hawaii County’s coastline. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 25 within the right-of-way to create a sense of place. The computer generated photomontages will help to inform the public of the impacts that the project will have upon scenic resources. They will also help decision makers determine if the impacts are acceptable or unacceptable, and if additional mitigation measures are warranted. The Sill, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) was prepared to assess the visual impacts of constructing a Landscape Discovery Center, 86-bed hostel, parking, and infrastructure within the 400 square mile Northumberland National Park, England. The study was conducted in accordance with the “Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment”: Third Edition: 2013, edited by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. The LIVA is noteworthy for its discussion of the study’s methodology and overview of the significance criteria (Chapter 3), description of baseline resource conditions (Chapter 4), and summarization of impacts (Chapter 5). Photomontage was used to demonstrate the project’s visual impacts from a variety of locations (See: Appendix F). The tables on pages 31 through 34 are especially helpful in documenting the project’s visual impacts. Similar tables could be used alongside photomontage and/or computer simulation to document development impacts to Hawaii County’s scenic resources. Increasing shoreline setbacks and minimum lot sizes could help to better protect shoreline views along the South Kona coast. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 26 Village Specific Plan, Visual Impact Assessment The City of Del Mar, California, Planning and Community Development Department, commissioned a study that was completed in July 2012 to assess the visual impacts of the City’s “Del Mar Village Specific Plan”. The Visual Impact Assessment thoroughly documents the existing visual resources within the study area and assesses the visual response of the different viewer groups. The study then conducts an assessment of the Plan’s visual impacts, proposes mitigation options and assesses the impacts following mitigation (See: Appendix G, Village Specific Plan, Visual Impact Assessment). The Del Mar study utilizes several of the visual impact assessment techniques identified in this report, including: GIS based line-of-site/viewshed analysis, photomontage and computer simulation. GIS based line-of-site/viewshed analysis using a digital elevation model (DEM) was effectively deployed to assess the Plan’s overall impact by documenting the following:  The scope of existing and future ocean viewsheds from residences located to the east (mauka) of the planning area.  The visibility of existing and future buildings from residences located east (mauka) of the planning area based on existing and planned conditions.  The degree of visual impact upon residences located east (mauka) of the planning area. The presence and types of view corridors through the planning area from residences located to the east (mauka) (See: Appendix G, pages 23 to 33). Computer simulations documenting pre- and post-project conditions were are also used extensively in the Del Mar Study. The study documents existing views from locations where the Plan is proposing changes to building massing and height. Using computer software, such as SketchUp, scale models depicting future building conditions were inserted into existing condition photographs. Utility clutter is a significant threat to Hawaii County’s scenic resources. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 27 The analyst is then able to assess the significance of the project’s impact. Using computer simulation, the scenic resources analyst is able to assess the following:  Existing visual quality / character;  Proposed project features;  Change to visual quality / character;  Viewer response;  Resultant visual impact. See Simulation “D1” on pages 52 through 53, Simulation “E1” on pages 56 through 57 and Simulations “F1” through “F4” on pages 58 through 62 of Appendix G. Building setback, scale and topography minimize scenic resource impacts above while exacerbating impacts below. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 28 Dust fencing offers suggestions of potential impacts to open space and Hualalai views just east of Waimea along Highway 19, Kawaihae Road. Recommendations The purpose of this study was to research view plane protection programs and strategies that different local, state, and federal government units have adopted. These programs and strategies may serve as models that Hawaii County could use to help respond to the programmatic gaps that have been identified within the County’s existing planning and regulatory documents. The County has a solid foundation of existing State and County policy directives to establish view plane regulations to preserve and protect its scenic resources. As documented in this report, there is also sufficient enabling policy to develop a scenic Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 29 resource protection program. Any program developed should include the following key elements that are already supported by County policy: • Identification of scenic view planes, areas of natural beauty, and other visual resources by mapping them (HRS 205A-2(c)(3)(A)); • Establishment of application requirements for all land use and construction reviews to assess potential impacts on view planes and other natural and scenic beauty resources, likely including line-of-sight analysis (GP 7.3 (e), (h), & (i)); and • Development of permit conditions, such as design guidelines, landscaping, screening, or structural setbacks from major thoroughfares and highways, to mitigate any visual impacts from development (GP 7.3(f)). The following summarizes this study’s recommendations: 1. Identification of scenic view planes, areas of natural beauty, and other visual resources. 1.A Conduct additional community outreach to support recommendations 1.B and 1.C. 1.B Rate the viewsheds and roadway corridors documented in the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project (June, 2016); and 1.C Develop scenic resource and viewshed corridor maps. 2. Develop administrative rules to implement Hawaii County Code §25-6-60. These rules will provide a consistent framework and process for the implementation of HCC §25-6-60. The rules should include: 1. Purpose and intent language; 2. Criteria used to determine significant impacts when reviewing development projects; 3. An application review and approval process for the review of development projects; and 4. Application content requirements. Models documented in this report include: Napa, California; Stowe Vermont; and State Department of Environmental Protection, Maine. Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 30 In addition, The Sill, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Report (Appendix F), provides criteria that may be applicable for assessing visual impacts. The visual impact assessment techniques documented in this report, including: computer simulations, photomontages and constructing story poles, should be required of Applicants when it is expected that their project will produce adverse scenic resource impacts. 3. Develop Scenic Corridor Management Plan(s) for specific corridors identified through steps 1.B and 1.C. Prepare and process the Management Plan(s) in accordance with Hawaii County Code §25-6-60. 3.A Scenic Corridor Management Plan(s) should include permit conditions, such as design guidelines, landscaping, screening, or structural setbacks from major thoroughfares and highways, to mitigate any visual impacts from development. 3.B Prepare Urban Design and Scenic Resource Protection Guidelines. Design guidelines are needed to help both Applicant’s and staff identify best practice mitigation for minimizing scenic resource impacts. Design guidelines should address the following:  Building density, scale, setbacks, height, separation, placement/orientation, colors, and materials;  Landscape planting; and  Topography The guidelines should demonstrate the application of mitigation to projects of the type to be expected within the unique landscape character districts found within the County. 4. Staff and Planning Commission Training. Institutionalize a scenic resources management and protection training program. As described in this report, all development within Maui County’s SMA is subject to a determination of consistency with the SMA’s scenic resource objectives and policies. Unfortunately, there is very little guidance provided to help distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable impacts, when a visual impact Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page | 31 assessment should be conducted, and the types of mitigation that are most appropriate to specific conditions. Any program adopted in Hawaii County should include a training element to help ensure that impacts are addressed consistently and in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of the County’s scenic resource protection policies. Hawaii County’s scenic resources enhance the quality of life for its residents while attracting visitors from around the world. APPENDIX A NAPA COUNTY VIEWSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM APPENDIX B STOWE, VERMONT RIDGELINES/HILLSIDES OVERLAY DISTRICT APPENDIX C STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MAINE CHAPTER 315, “ASSESSING AND MITIGATING IMPACTS TO EXISTING SCENIC AND AESTHETIC USES Standard Operating Procedure Bureau of Land and Water Quality Date: July 20, 2003 Doc num: DEPLW0541-A2003 COVERSHEET STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Operation Title:Guidance for Assessing Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses under the Natural Resources Protection Act Identification No.:DEPLW0541-A2003 Revision No.:00 Originator Name:Judy Gates Reviser:N/A Effective Date:July 20, 2003 APPROVALS: Bureau of Land and Water Quality Director: Brooke Barnes________ ____________________________ Date: ___________ Print Name Signature QMSC Chair: Malcolm C. Burson_____ ____________________________ Date: ___________ Print Name Signature DISTRIBUTION: ( ) Bureau of Air Quality......................................................By: _____ Date: _______ ( ) Bureau of Land and Water Quality.................................By: _____ Date: _______ ( ) Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management..........By: _____ Date: _______ ( ) Office of the Commissioner............................................By: _____ Date: _______ ( ) Quality Management Steering Committee.....................By: ____ Date: ________ ( ) Bureau QACs and Lead auditors……………………… By: ______ Date: ________ Standard Operating Procedure Bureau of Land and Water Quality Date: July 20, 2003 Doc num: DEPLW0541-A2003 Bureau of Land and Water Quality Division of Land Resource Regulation Licensing Unit Standard Operating Procedure Guidelines for Assessing Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses under the Natural Resources Protection Act 1. APPLICABILITY. This standard operating procedure (SOP) applies to all licensing staff in the Bureau of Land and Water Quality’s Division of Land Resource Regulation (Division) after December 1, 2002. It applies to the processing of applications filed with the Department under the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). 2. PURPOSE. This SOP is intended to establish consistent procedures for staff assessments of potential impacts to existing scenic and aesthetic uses during the processing of NRPA applications by the Division of Land Resource Regulation. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES. 3.1 COMPLIANCE. All licensing staff in the Division of Land Resource Regulation are responsible for becoming familiar, and complying with, the contents of this procedure prior to processing an application. The attached appendices are to serve as reference materials throughout the processing of applications. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that licensing staff is familiar with and adhere to the procedures outlined in this SOP. Enforcement & Field Services staff Drafting Department Orders will also adhere to these procedures. 3.2 OTHER. The Licensing Coordinator is responsible for initial development, approval, distribution, and maintenance of the proposed SOP. Policy and Procedures staff in the Bureau of Land & Water Quality will track this SOP. The name of responsible individuals, document title, dates of last revision, and document numbers will be recorded. 4. GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES. 4.1 ORIGINATION AND CONTENTS. Division Licensing staff will be trained in the use of the Basic Visual Assessment (VIA) form (Appendix A) and Visual Impact Assessment Matrix (Matrix) (Appendix B) associated with this SOP. The appendices will be used by Division Licensing staff when potential impacts on existing scenic and aesthetic uses are identified during the processing of an NRPA application. The VIA and matrix will be used as guidance for determining whether a proposed activity will have an unreasonable adverse impact on an aesthetically significant place, as defined in Chapter 315, Section 9. The completed VIA and matrix will be included in Standard Operating Procedure Bureau of Land and Water Quality Date: July 20, 2003 Doc num: DEPLW0541-A2003 Page 2 of 5 the project file. Associated definitions included in this SOP apply to the VIA and matrix. 4.2 SOP DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS. Approval of this SOP follows the preliminary draft cycle and final approval cycle for Bureau-specific SOPs described in SOP No. OC-PE-0001, Standard Operating Procedure Development, Format, Approval, and Distribution, dated June 15, 2001. The Director of the Bureau of Land and Water Quality and the Maine DEP’s QAM approve the final SOP. 5. REFERENCES. 5.1 MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (JUNE 2001). 5.2 MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE ON STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (OC- PE-0001). 5.3 MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, BUREAU OF LAND AND WATER QUALITY, STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE SUPPLEMENT TO OC-PE-0001 (DEPLW2001-22). 5.4 LANDSCAPE AESTHETICS: A HANDBOOK FOR SCENERY MANAGEMENT. REVISED OCTOBER 2000. U.S. FOREST SERVICE. 5.5 SMARDON, R.C. AND HUNTER, M. 1983. THE FUTURE OF WETLANDS: ASSESSING VISUAL – CULTURAL VALUES. TOTOWA, NJ. Standard Operating Procedure Bureau of Land and Water Quality Date: July 20, 2003 Doc num: DEPLW0541-A2003 Page 3 of 5 APPENDIX A:Basic Visual Impact Assessment Form VISUAL ELEMENTS VISUAL SUB ELEMENTS INDICATORS/CLUES ELEMENT RATINGS ELEMENT SCORES Severe 3 Moderate 2 Minimal 1 LANDSCAPE COMPATIBILITY COLOR Significantly different color, hue, value chroma None 0 Severe 3 Moderate 2 Minimal 1FORM Incompatible 2/3 dimensional shape with landscape surroundings None 0 Severe 3 Moderate 2 Minimal 1LINE Incompatible edges, bands, or silhouette lines introduced None 0 Severe 3 Moderate 2 Minimal 1TEXTURE Incompatible textural grain, density, regularity or pattern None 0 SUBTOTAL Major scale introduction/intrusion Severe 12 One of several major scales or major objects in confined setting Moderate 8 Significant object or scale Minimal 4 Small object or scale None 0 SCORE SCALE CONTRAST LANDSCAPE Dominate 12 Co-Dominate 8 SITUATION Sub-ordinate 4 BACKDROP Object/activity dominates or is prominent in whole landscape composition; oris promently situated within the landscape; or dominates landform, water, or sky backdrop Insignificant 0 SPATIAL DOMINANCE SCORE TOTAL VISUAL IMPACT SEVERITY Severe 27-36 Strong 26-18 DEPLW0541-A2002 Moderate 17-9 Used with permission of R.C. Smardon Weak or Negligible 8-0 Standard Operating Procedure Bureau of Land and Water Quality Date: July 20, 2003 Doc num: DEPLW0541-A2003 Page 4 of 5 Definitions associated with Appendix A. A. Backdrop. The distant part of a landscape located from 4 miles to infinity from the viewer. B. Color. The property of reflecting light of a particular wavelength that enables the eye to differentiate otherwise indistinguishable objects. A hue (red, green, blue, yellow, etc.) as contrasted with a value (black, white, or gray). C. Contrast. Diversity or distinction of adjacent parts. Effect of striking differences in color, form, line, or texture of a landscape. D. Dominance. The extent to which an object is noticeable when compared to the surrounding context. E. Form. The structure, mass or shape of a landscape or an object. Landscape form is often defined by the edges or outlines of landforms, rockforms, vegetation patterns, or waterforms, or the enclosed spaces created by these attributes. F. Landform. One of the attributes or features that make up the Earth’s surface, such as a plain, mountain, or valley. G. Landscape. An area composed of interacting ecosystems that are repeated because of geology, landform, soils, climate, biota, and human influences throughout that area. H. Landscape Character or Landscape Composition. Particular attributes, qualities, and traits of a landscape that give it an image and make it identifiable or unique. I. Landscape Compatibility. The elements of color, form, line, and texture that typically determine landscape character. J. Line. Anything that is arranged in a row or sequence. In landscapes – ridges, skylines, structures, changes in vegetation, or individual trees and branches – may be perceived as line. K. Scale Contrast. The degree to which an activity or object dominates or intrudes into a landscape or confined setting. L. Situation. The position of the activity or object within the landscape. M. Spatial Dominance. The degree to which an activity or object dominates the landscape; is prominently situated within the landscape; or dominates landform, waterform, or sky backdrop. N. Texture. The grain of a landscape or repetitive pattern of tiny forms. Visual texture can range from smooth to coarse. O. Visual Elements. The landscape’s components that make up the overall visual character of a landscape. P. Waterform. One of the attributes or features that make up the Earth’s surface, such as a pond, lake, stream, river, waterfall, estuary, or ocean. Standard Operating Procedure Bureau of Land and Water Quality Date: July 20, 2003 Doc num: DEPLW0541-A2003 Page 0 of 5 APPENDIX B:Visual Impact Assessment Matrix LEGEND Impact severity Rating Scenic significance Severe 36-27 Strong 26-18 Moderate 17-9 Weak/None 8-0 UNACCEPTABLE. High level of visual contrast in line, form, color, or texture between existing high quality landscape and development proposal; view of water or other significant visual resource obstructed. May be grounds for project denial. High ACCEPTABLE WITH MAJOR MITIGATION. High degree of contrast on landscape of medium significance; moderate degree of contrast on highly significant landscape. Project re-design necessary. Medium ACCEPTABLE WITH MITIGATION. Some modification to project siting or design necessary to achieve better landscape ‘fit.’ Low ACCEPTABLE WITH MINOR MITIGATION. Relatively minor adjustments to plan or siting necessary to achieve a higher level of project compatibility. SC E N I C S I G N I F I C A N C E O F V I E W Unrated LOW/NO IMPACT. No perceptible change to the visual landscape. No mitigation required. Chart is recommended method for reviewing visual impacts and determining level of effort required for mitigation and/or reconsideration of project siting and design. Application of the recommended actions should consider length of view and viewer expectation. Appendix B Basic Visual Assessment Form DEPLW0451-A2002 (Used with permission of Terrence DeWan & Associates) 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 1 - Chapter 315: ASSESSING AND MITIGATING IMPACTS TO EXISTING SCENIC AND AESTHETIC USES SUMMARY: This chapter describes the process for evaluating impacts to existing scenic and aesthetic uses resulting from activities in, on, over, or adjacent to protected natural resources subject to the Natural Resources Protection Act, pursuant to 38 M.S.R.A. § 480-D (1). 1. Introduction. In the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), 38 M.R.S.A. §§ 480-A through Z, the Legislature has found and declared that Maine’s rivers and streams, great ponds, fragile mountain areas, freshwater wetlands, significant wildlife habitat, coastal wetlands, and sand dune systems are resources of state significance. Section 480-A states that these resources have great scenic beauty and unique characteristics, unsurpassed recreational, cultural, historical, and environmental value of present and future benefit to the citizens of the State and that uses are causing the rapid degradation and, in some cases, the destruction of these critical resources. The Legislature’s recognition of the scenic beauty of these protected natural resources through statute distinguishes the visual quality of those resources and its value to the general population. Applicants for permits under the NRPA are required to demonstrate that a proposed activity meets the standards of the NRPA that have been established by the Legislature. Standard 1 in Section 480-D of the NRPA requires an applicant to demonstrate that a proposed activity will not unreasonably interfere with existing scenic and aesthetic uses. 2. Purpose. This rule specifies State regulatory concerns, defines visual impacts, establishes a procedure for evaluating visual impacts generated from proposed activities, establishes when a visual assessment may be necessary, explains the components of a visual assessment when required, and describes avoidance, mitigation, and offset measures that may eliminate or reduce unreasonable adverse impacts to existing scenic and aesthetic uses. 3. Applicability. This rule applies to the alteration of a coastal wetland, great pond, freshwater wetland, fragile mountain area, river, stream, or brook, as defined in 38 M.S.R.A. § 480-B of the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), that requires an individual permit or is eligible for Tier 3 review. This rule does not apply to an activity that is exempt from permit requirements under the NRPA or that qualifies for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 permit. This rule does not apply to a Permit by Rule unless the Department exercises its discretionary authority to require an individual permit as described in Chapter 305, Section 1 (D). In the review of an application for a permit, the Department must evaluate the potential for unreasonable adverse visual impacts resulting from a proposed activity located in, on, over, or adjacent to a protected natural resource. 4. Scope of Review. The potential impacts of a proposed activity will be determined by the Department considering the presence of a scenic resource listed in Section 10, the significance of the scenic resource, the existing character of the surrounding area, the expectations of the typical viewer, the extent and intransience of the activity, the project purpose, and the context of the proposed activity. Unreasonable adverse visual impacts are those that are expected to unreasonably interfere with the general public’s visual enjoyment and appreciation of a scenic resource, or those that otherwise unreasonably impair the character or quality of such a place. 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 2 - 5. Definitions. As used in these rules, the following terms have the following meanings. Other terms used in these rules have the meanings set forth at 38 M.S.R.A. § 480-X and Chapter 310, the Wetlands and Waterbodies Protection Rules. A. Adverse visual impact. The negative effect of a regulated activity on the visual quality of a landscape. B. Composition. The arrangement of the component parts of a landscape. Component parts are objects or activities usually described in terms of color, texture, line, form, dominance, and scale. C. Contrast. Comparing the component parts of a landscape in terms of form, line, color, texture, dominance, or scale. D. Existing uses. The current appearance and use of the landscape, considering previous human alterations. E. Landscape. An area characterized by its geology, landform, biota, and human influences throughout that area. F. Mitigation. Any action taken or not taken to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, or eliminate actual or potential adverse environmental impact, including adverse visual impact. G. Practicable. Available and feasible considering cost, existing technology and logistics based on the overall purpose of the activity. H. Scenic Resource. Public natural resources or public lands visited by the general public , in part for the use, observation, enjoyment, and appreciation of natural or cultural visual qualities.. The attributes, characteristics, and features of the landscape of a scenic resource provide varying responses from, and varying degrees of benefits to, humans. I. Viewshed. The geographic area as viewed from a scenic resource, which includes the proposed activity. The viewshed may include the total visible activity area from a single observer position or the total visible activity area from multiple observers’ positions. J. Visual Quality. The essential attributes of the landscape that when viewed elicit overall benefits to individuals and, therefore, to society in general. The quality of the resource and the significance of the resource are usually, but not always, correlated. 6. Application submissions. An applicant is required to demonstrate that the proposed activity will not unreasonably interfere with existing scenic and aesthetic uses of a scenic resource listed in Section 10. Basic evidence must be provided to ensure that visual concerns have been fully addressed in each application. The applicant must describe the location of the activity and provide an inventory of scenic resources within the viewshed of the proposed activity by completing the MDEP Visual Evaluation Field Survey Checklist (doc. #DEPLW0540) provided in the application. The applicant must describe the activity relative to its location and scale within the viewshed of any scenic resource, including a description of the existing visual quality and landscape characteristics. The applicant may request a pre-application meeting during which 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 3 - the Department can provide guidance for determining the location of the activity relative to scenic resources in the vicinity of the applicant’s parcel. 7. Visual impact assessments. The Department may require a visual impact assessment if a proposed activity appears to be located within the viewshed of, and has the potential to have an unreasonable adverse impact on, a scenic resource listed in Section 10. An applicant’s visual impact assessment should visualize the proposed activity and evaluate potential adverse impacts of that activity on existing scenic and aesthetic uses of a protected natural resource within the viewshed of a scenic resource, and to determine effective mitigation strategies, if appropriate. If required, a visual impact assessment must be prepared by a design professional trained in visual assessment procedures, or as otherwise directed by the Department. In all visual impact assessments, scenic resources within the viewshed of the proposed activity must be identified and the existing surrounding landscape must be described. The assessment must be completed following standard professional practices to illustrate the proposed change to the visual environment and the effectiveness of any proposed mitigation measures. The radius of the impact area to be analyzed must be based on the relative size and scope of the proposed activity given the specific location. Areas of the scenic resource from which the activity will be visible, including representative and worst-case viewpoints, must be identified. Line-of-sight profiles constitute the simplest acceptable method of illustrating the potential visual impact of the proposed activity from viewpoints within the context of its viewshed. A line-of-sight profile represents the path, real or imagined, that the eye follows from a specific point to another point when viewing the landscape. See Appendix A for guidance on line-of-sight profiles. For activities with more sensitive conditions, photosimulations and computer-generated graphics may be required. A visual impact assessment must also include narratives to describe the significance of any potential impacts, the level of use and viewer expectations, measures taken to avoid and minimize visual impacts, and steps that have been incorporated into the activity design that may mitigate any potential adverse visual impacts to scenic resources. 8. Mitigation. In the case where the Department determines that the proposed activity will have an adverse visual impact on a scenic resource, applicants may be required to employ appropriate measures to mitigate the adverse impacts to the extent practicable. Mitigation should reduce or eliminate the visibility of the proposed activity or alter the effect of the activity on the scenic or aesthetic use in some way. The Department will determine when mitigation should be proposed and whether the applicant’s mitigation strategies are reasonable. The Department may require mitigation by requesting that the applicant submit a design that includes the required mitigation or by imposing permit conditions consistent with specified mitigation requirements. In its determination whether adverse impacts to existing scenic and aesthetic uses are unreasonable, the Department will consider whether the applicant’s activity design is visually compatible with its surroundings, incorporating environmentally sensitive design principles and components according to the strategies described below. A. Planning and siting. Properly siting an activity may be the most effective way to mitigate potential visual impacts. Applicants are encouraged, and may be required, to site a proposed activity in a location that limits its adverse visual impacts within the viewshed of a scenic resource. 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 4 - B. Design. When circumstances do not allow siting to avoid visual impacts on a scenic resource, elements of particular concern should be designed in such a way that reduces or eliminates visual impacts to the area in which an activity is located, as viewed from a scenic resource. Applicants should consider a variety of design methods to mitigate potential impacts, including screening, buffers, earthen berms, camouflage, low profile, downsizing, non-standard materials, lighting, and other alternate technologies. C. Offsets. Correction of an existing visual problem identified within the viewshed of the same scenic resource as the proposed activity may qualify as an offset for visual impacts when an improvement may be realized. Offsets may be used in sensitive locations where significant impacts from the proposal are unavoidable or other forms of mitigation might not be practicable. An example of an offset might be the removal of an existing abandoned structure that is in disrepair to offset impacts from a proposal within visual proximity of the same scenic resource. Offsets can also include visual improvements to the affected landscape, such as tree plantings or development of scenic overlooks. 9. Determination. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the proposed design does not unreasonably interfere with existing scenic and aesthetic uses, and thereby diminish the public enjoyment and appreciation of the qualities of a scenic resource, and that any potential impacts have been minimized. The Department’s determination of impact is based on the following visual elements of the landscape: A. Landscape compatibility, which is a function of the sub-elements of color, form, line, and texture. Compatibility is determined by whether the proposed activity differs significantly from its existing surroundings and the context from which they are viewed such that it becomes an unreasonable adverse impact on the visual quality of a protected natural resource as viewed from a scenic resource; B. Scale contrast, which is determined by the size and scope of the proposed activity given its specific location within the viewshed of a scenic resource; and C. Spatial dominance, which is the degree to which an activity dominates the whole landscape composition or dominates landform, water, or sky backdrop as viewed from a scenic resource. In making a determination within the context of this rule, the Department considers the type, area, and intransience of an activity related to a scenic resource that will be affected by the activity, the significance of the scenic resource, and the degree to which the use or viewer expectations of a scenic resource will be altered, including alteration beyond the physical boundaries of the activity. In addition to the scenic resource, the Department also considers the functions and values of the protected natural resource, any proposed mitigation, practicable alternatives to the proposed activity that will have less visual impact, and cumulative effects of frequent minor alterations on the scenic resource. An application may be denied if the activity will have an unreasonable impact on the visual quality of a protected natural resources as viewed from a scenic resource even if the activity has no practicable alternative and the applicant has minimized the proposed alteration and its impacts as much as possible through mitigation. An 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 5 - “unreasonable impact” means that the standards of the Natural Resources Protection Act, 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-D, will not be met. 10. Scenic resources. The following public natural resources and public lands are usually visited by the general public, in part with the purpose of enjoying their visual quality. Under this rule, the Department considers a scenic resource as the typical point from which an activity in, on, over, or adjacent to a protected natural resource is viewed. This list of scenic resources includes, but is not limited to, locations of national, State, or local scenic significance. A scenic resource visited by large numbers who come from across the country or state is generally considered to have national or statewide significance. A scenic resource visited primarily by people of local origin is generally of local significance. Unvisited places either have no designated significance or are “no trespass” places. Sources for information regarding specific scenic resources are found as part of the MDEP Visual Evaluation Field Survey Checklist (doc. #DEPLW0540) provided in the application. A. National Natural Landmarks and other outstanding natural and cultural features (e.g., Orono Bog, Meddybemps Heath); B. State or National Wildlife Refuges, Sanctuaries, or Preserves and State Game Refuges (e.g., Rachael Carson Salt Pond Preserve in Bristol, Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve); C. A State or federally designated trail (e.g., the Appalachian Trail, East Coast Greenway); D. A property on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (e.g., the Rockland Breakwater Light, Fort Knox); E. National or State Parks (e.g., Acadia National Park, Sebago Lakes State Park); F. Public natural resources or public lands visited by the general public, in part for the use, observation, enjoyment and appreciation of natural or cultural visual qualities.(e.g., great ponds, the Atlantic Ocean). STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-A ADOPTED DATE: June 5, 2003 EFFECTIVE DATE: June 29, 2003 - filing 2003-198 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 6 - APPENDIX A GUIDANCE FOR THE PREPARATION OF LINE-OF SIGHT-PROFILES 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 7 - 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 8 - 06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Chapter 315, Assessing and Mitigating Impacts to Existing Scenic and Aesthetic Uses - 9 - APPENDIX D CANYON OAKS STORY POLES Canyon Oaks Story Poles Discussion A request to install story poles, per the attached story pole plan, for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road at the eastern terminus of Agoura Road (APNs: 2069078009 and 2069078011). The proposed project includes: (1) a residential component consisting of 67 single-family detached homes and four affordable units located within two duplexes; and (2) a commercial component consisting of a four-story hotel. Approximately 80% of the site would be preserved as permanent open space. Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Location Map Project Site N APN: 2069078009 APN: 2069078011 500’ Scenic Corridor Buffer Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Proposed Development Summary •The project site is currently zoned PD – RMF (20) – OSDR. •Commercial component: 120-room, 66,516 square-foot hotel on approximately three acres; •Residential component: 67 small lot, single-family residences and two duplexes (four units) on approximately 13 acres; •Approximately 61 acres of dedicated open space. •The project site is located within the Las Virgenes Road Scenic Corridor. The hotel and 19 of the 71 total residential units fall within the 500-foot Las Virgenes Road scenic corridor buffer. Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Review Authority •Per the City of Calabasas Story Pole Procedures: Story poles are required for all new projects located within a Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone. Story poles are required for all projects seeking an exception in building height by way of variance or development plan, and the subject project does include a development plan request to exceed a height of 35-feet). Hotel component •The Planning Commission is being requested to review the proposed story pole plan due to the impracticability of erecting the poles for the all of the houses in the scenic corridor in complete compliance with the guidelines. •Story Pole Goals: (1) public notification; (2) assessment of visual impact. Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. The Colony Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Section D Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Views from Las Virgenes Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Story Pole Plan Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Hotel + Story Poles Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Story Pole Plan - Hotel Tallest Pole: Pole Height = 36.5’ Proposed Tower Height = 53’ Tallest point of proposed building = 54.9’ Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Proposed Residential Development + Story Poles Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Proposed Res. Story Poles Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Story Pole Plan - Residential Pole with Highest Elevation: Pole Height = 43’ Proposed Building Height (at roof eave) = 26.5’ Planning Commission January 21, 2016 File No. 140000011 A request to install story poles for the proposed development of a 77-acre vacant site located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. Recommended Action That the Commission authorize the applicant to proceed with the proposed story pole plan. APPENDIX E WAIKAPU COUNTRY TOWN VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT &+$37(59 $IIHFWHG+XPDQ(QYLURQPHQW3RWHQWLDO ,PSDFWVDQG0LWLJDWLRQ0HDVXUHV CHAPTER 5 AFFECTED HUMAN ENVIRONMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES WAIKAPŪ COUNTRY TOWN V-26 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 6.Visual Resources Existing Conditions. The WCT project area is located between the town of Wailuku to the north and Māʻalaea to the south along the Honoapi’ilani Highway. The project site generally slopes from west to east with a high elevation of approximately 710 feet mean sea level (msl) at the northwesterly corner and a low elevation of about 256 feet above msl at the southerly corner, within the fertile Central Maui isthmus. Views from within the project site are both diverse and dramatic. Largely unobstructed views of Haleakalā, the West Maui Mountains, the Central Maui isthmus and the Pacific Ocean are available at the mid and upper elevations. At the higher elevations Wailuku and Kahului, East Maui and South Maui are all visible. From the lower elevations largely unobstructed views are available of the West Maui Mountains, Haleakalā, and sugar cane lands that stretch from Honoapi’ilani Highway to Māʻalaea and Kīhei. These same lower elevation views are presently available from Honoapi’ilani Highway looking into the project site. The existing mauka view from Honoapi’ilani Highway into the project site is of agricultural fields planted in sugar and diversified crops, the MTP, and the valley and ridgelines of the West Maui Mountains. The makai view from the highway, where not obstructed by right-of-way vegetation, is of the existing sugarcane fields and Haleakalā. When the sugarcane has been harvested there are intermittent views of the ocean horizon (See: Figure 8 A-N, “Site Photographs”). Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures. Chris Hart & Partners, Inc. prepared an island-wide Scenic Resources Inventory Study for the County of Maui, Department of Planning, in July 2006 in support of the General Plan 2030 Update. The purpose of the study was to inventory and rate the island’s scenic resources so that appropriate advanced planning and mitigation strategies could be employed to protect these resources. The MIP incorporates the study’s scenic roadway corridor recommendations into its “Context and Character Map” and references the corridors in policies within Chapter 3, Heritage Resources (See: Figure No. 34, “Maui Island Plan, Context and Character Map”). Figure 34: MIP Context & Character Map Property Location CHAPTER 5 AFFECTED HUMAN ENVIRONMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES WAIKAPŪ COUNTRY TOWN V-28 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT The Scenic Resources Inventory Study identifies the area along Honoapi’ilani Highway, fronting the project site, as an area of “High” scenic resource value. In the study, areas of “Exceptional” and “High” resource value are described as having “dramatic and diverse resource values consistently throughout the corridor” and are “typically in a natural condition and unmarked by development.” The study’s GIS inventory provides “field study” notes that describe the character of the subject corridor. The notes describing the Honoapi’ilani corridor, fronting the project site, are as follows: “High concentration of agricultural lands; open space; and distant Haleakalā views. Intact West Maui mountain views and expansive views of Māʻalaea and the Kīhei coastline and Lana`i views exist. There is considerable utility clutter along the highway. Sprawl conditions along the highway between Waikapū and Māʻalaea should be avoided through the establishment of clear boundaries and features such as landscape plantings and entry signage.” Chapter 3, Heritage Resources, of the MIP contains policies that discourage sprawl and the merging of the island’s small towns. MIP policies also protect views of Haleakalā, the West Maui Mountains, the Pacific Ocean and other scenic resources. As such, design strategies are needed to mitigate the impact of the WCT on visual resources from the Honoapi’ilani Highway fronting the project site. The following documents scenic resource impacts and describes proposed urban design strategies to help mitigate these impacts. xSprawl. The WCTs urban and rural development will have approximately 4,700 linear feet of frontage along the Honoapi’ilani Highway. The proposed development pattern will produce a significant change from the largely undeveloped and open space views that currently exist along what will become the frontage of the project. It is unavoidable that the current open space views of sugarcane will be impacted by the development. However, the following urban design and landscape architectural treatments will be implemented to help reduce the appearance of sprawl like conditions and to create an aesthetically pleasing sense of place fronting the project site: Large Setbacks along the Highway. Setbacks of at least 60 feet, and in some areas significantly more than 60-feet, will be utilized along each side of the CHAPTER 5 AFFECTED HUMAN ENVIRONMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES WAIKAPŪ COUNTRY TOWN V-29 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Honoapi’ilani Highway to separate the development from the public right-of- way. Landscape Planting within the Right-of-Way. Within the setbacks, the planting of large canopy Monkey Pod trees, tropical shrubs and ground covers will be maintained to create a sense of separation and definition between the urban development and the highway and to create a green canopy enclosure and greenway as a passage through the town. Separated Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities. An approximate 10-feet wide shared pedestrian and bicycle track, separated from the highway, will meander along the highway frontage. The shared use path will promote non-motorized transportation, while producing more opportunities for the public to experience the pleasant scenery along the highway. xHaleakalā and West Maui Mountains from Honoapi’ilani Highway. From Honoapi’ilani Highway, the elevation of the project site rises rather gradually, at a 3% to 6% slope, from about 325-feet above msl to about 550-feet above mls where the Waikapū Ditch traverses north to south across the property. From the Waikapū Ditch the slopes increase to between 10% and 15% as the elevation increases to the foot of the West Maui Mountains. The foot of the West Maui Mountains is at an elevation of approximately 1,250 feet at the upper reaches of the WCT property and is about 6,800 feet from the highway. In order to mitigate the obstruction of views from the highway to the West Maui Mountains and Haleakalā, buildings will be setback at least 75-feet from the highway and building heights will be limited to a maximum of 30-feet along the highway frontage. Building placement and areas of separation will also help to create view corridors between the highway and the mountains. Within the project, roadways are purposefully aligned, where practicable, to capture mauka and makai view corridors. This opportunity exists at each entrance into the project site and along these roads as they travel east to west. In addition, views of the West Maui Mountains, Haleakalā and the Pacific Ocean will also be preserved in various CHAPTER 5 AFFECTED HUMAN ENVIRONMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES WAIKAPŪ COUNTRY TOWN V-30 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT locations from public spaces within the WCT, including the Village Green, the Waikapū River Park, Waiheʻe Ditch Greenway and the Waikapū Station Greenway. xOpen Space Resources. The project will impact views of agricultural lands on each side of the Honoapi’ilani Highway fronting the development. While these views are not unique within Central Maui, they do enhance Maui’s beauty and are an important visual resource. In order to mitigate this impact, approximately 800 acres of agricultural land will be preserved in perpetuity as an open space buffer and permanent separation between Waikapū Town and Māʻalaea. Along the section of the highway where agricultural land is to be preserved, largely unobstructed views of Haleakalā, the West Maui Mountains and partial views of the Pacific Ocean exist. Within the project site, the WCT will transform the current character of the MTP from a visitor oriented attraction to a park-like village center, with its existing lagoon, gardens, open spaces, shops, and restaurant coming together to create a new sense of place. While the existing agricultural and open space ambiance of the lands abutting the MTP will become an urban and rural settlement pattern, the WCT will maintain a rural and agricultural ambiance at its boundaries because of the preservation of agricultural lands and incorporation of agricultural supporting activities, such as a farmers market, within the project site. From an urban design perspective, the proposed project will complement the unique country- town architectural character that exists in Waikapū, Wailuku, Pāʻia, and Makawao. WCT design guidelines are being developed to control the density, architectural design, and variation of all buildings in the WCT to help preserve scenic resources and the aesthetic character of the development. Goals of the design guidelines will be to preserve views and maintain the aesthetic character of the community. A defining quality of the urban design character of the development will be to create architecturally pleasing streets with landscape planting that frames the travel ways and provides scale around architectural elements. As part of the DEIS, a visual impact assessment was conducted to determine how views might be impacted along Honoapi’ilani Highway, fronting the project site, following the Project’s build-out. Figure No. 35 A-E, is a simulation of before project and after project views along Honoapi’ilani Highway. Visual Simulation of Pre- and Post Project Views Figure 35, A :$,.$3Ş&28175<72:1 1 1. Before. Looking in a south-easterly direction towards sugar land with Haleakala in the background.1. After. Looking in a south-easterly direction over the makai development with Haleakala in the back- ground and separated pedestrian and bicycle path in the foreground. Visual Simulation of Pre- and Post Project Views Figure 35, B :$,.$3Ş&28175<72:1 2 2. Before. Looking in a south-easterly direction towards sugar land with Haleakala in the background.2. After. Looking in a south-easterly direction over the makai development with canopy trees in the background and separated pedestrian and bicycle path in the foreground. Visual Simulation of Pre- and Post Project Views Figure 35, C :$,.$3Ş&28175<72:1 3 3. Before. Looking in a north-westerly direction with the West-Maui Mountains in the background and the MTP grounds in the foreground.3. After. Looking in a north-westerly direction through the project with the West-Maui Mountains in the background. Visual Simulation of Pre- and Post Project Views Figure 35, D :$,.$3Ş&28175<72:1 4 4. Before. Looking in a south-westerly direction through the MTP with the West Maui Mountains in the background.4. After. Looking in a south-westerly direction through the project with the West Maui Mountains in the background and the separated pedestrian and bicycle path in the foreground. Visual Simulation of Pre- and Post Project Views Figure 35, E :$,.$3Ş&28175<72:1 5 5. Before. Looking in a westerly direction through the MTPs agricultural fields with the with the West Maui Mountains in the background.5. After. Looking in a westerly direction through the project with the West Maui Mountains in the background and the separated pedestrian and bicycle path in the foreground. APPENDIX F THE SILL, LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Planning Application for the demolition of existing National Park Visitor Centre (D1), Offices (B1), Retail (A1) and Café (A3) and 79 bed Youth Hostel (Sui Generis) and associated car parking, and redevelopment of site as new Landscape Discovery Centre incorporating Exhibition Space (D1), Retail (A1), Café (A3), Offices (B1) and 86 bed Youth Hostel (Sui Generis) together with 87 Permanent Car Parking Spaces, 93 Overflow car parking spaces, associated landscaping, substation and crossing point across the B6318 Military Road, pedestrian ramp within the roadside ditch and formation of pedestrian refuges and route within wooded copse. Application situated at land South and North of the B6318 at Once Brewed, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, NE47 7AN Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment The Sill ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 1 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 THE SILL LANDSCAPE DISCOVERY CENTRE AND YOUTH HOSTEL LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 Introduction 2 1.1 Scope of Assessment 2 2.0 Policy Context 3 2.1 Introduction 3 2.2 Northumberland National Park Management Plan 2009 – 2014 3 2.3 Northumberland National Park Local Development Framework 4 2.4 Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan 2008 – 2014 5 2.5 Landscape Character Assessment for Northumberland National Park 2007 6 2.6 Exterior Lighting Masterplan 6 3.0 Assessment Methodology & Significant Criteria 7 3.1 Introduction 7 3.2 Landscape and Visual Effects 7 3.3 Landscape Sensitivity 8 3.4 Visual Sensitivity 8 3.5 Magnitude of Change 9 3.6 Impact Significance Thresholds 9 3.7 Survey Area 10 3.8 Consultation 10 4.0 Baseline Conditions 11 4.1 The Landscape of the Study Area 11 4.2 The Development Site 12 CONTENTS PAGE 4.3 Landscape Character 14 4.4 The Landscape at Night 16 4.5 Landscape Value 17 4.6 Visual Baseline 18 5.0 Potential Effects 21 5.1 Introduction 21 5.2 Description of the Proposed Development 21 5.3 Effects During Construction 24 5.4 Effects After Completion 24 Schedule of Selected Viewpoints for Assessment of Visual Effects 31 6.0 Mitigation Measures 37 6.1 Introduction 37 6.2 Design Evolution 37 6.3 Alternative Car Park Options 38 6.4 During Construction 38 6.5 After Completion 39 7.0 Residual Effect 40 7.1 After Completion 40 8.0 Summary and Conclusions 41 8.1 Summary 41 8.2 Conclusions 44 FIGURES 1 – 20 (see separate schedule after page 44) ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 2 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Scope of assessment 1.1.1 This Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) considers the anticipated landscape and visual effects arising from construction of a proposed new Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel by Northumberland National Park Authority in partnership with the Youth Hostel Association. The new facilities are to replace those currently present on the site at Once Brewed. The assessment has been undertaken by a member of staff at Glen Kemp Ltd. who is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. 1.1.2 Having first established the planning policy context for the site in question, the report sets out the methodology upon which the assessment has been based. It is important that the methodology employed is transparent if the findings are to be interpreted correctly by the reader. In broad terms, both the sensitivity of the landscape / visual receptor and the anticipated magnitude of change resulting from the development are analysed and by combining these two factors, a level of significance of effect (which may be positive or adverse) is predicted. Effects on the landscape. 1.1.3 A description of the baseline physical and perceptual landscape of both the proposed development site and the broader study area, includes a review of its recognised value. The likely impacts on the landscape resulting from the development are then identified and the resulting effects noted. This includes direct effects on physical elements within the landscape and indirect effects on landscape character and distinctiveness. Visual effects 1.1.4 In assessing visual effects, this report identifies and examines the nature of the public and private views from the surrounding area which could be affected by the proposed development and predicts the magnitude of the ‘degree of change’ in view and – taking account of the sensitivity of the visual receptor – evaluates the significance of the anticipated visual impact resulting from the proposed development. 1.1.5 Photomontages and visual impact schedules based on selected viewpoints from within the study area are used to assist the assessment of visual effects. Cultural heritage 1.1.6 The archaeological and cultural heritage within this part of the Northumberland National Park is of international importance and fundamental to the unique character of the landscape within the study area. While this report makes an assessment of the anticipated effects on the physical landscape and its perceived character, an assessment of the effects on the setting of designated heritage assets such as the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and associated Scheduled Ancient Monuments is specifically excluded. Such an assessment is the remit of the specialist archaeologist or landscape historian using a methodology established by English Heritage (‘Seeing the History in the view: A method for assessing heritage significance within views’, 2008). Such an assessment is covered in the relevant section of the Environmental Statement prepared for this development project. Effects and mitigation 1.1.7 The potential landscape and visual effects are identified for the demolition, construction and management stages of the project and, where relevant, an assessment is made of how mitigation measures have been used to minimise the significance of any adverse effects on the landscape or visual amenity. Finally, residual effects – those that would remain after mitigation measures have been employed – are identified. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 3 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 2.0 Policy Context 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 This section provides a brief review of existing policy and management strategy frameworks which are directly relevant to landscape issues relating to the proposed development. It concentrates primarily on the Northumberland National Park Management Plan and the Northumberland National Park Local Development Framework (LDF) and the relevant documents contained within it, but also makes reference to the External Lighting Management Plan prepared as part of the successful bid to the International Dark Sky Association for Dark Sky Park status . 2.2 Northumberland National Park Management Plan 2009 – 2014: 2.2.1 The Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) was established in 1997 as a special purpose local authority with the role of delivering the specific National Park statutory purposes as set out in law. The two statutory purposes are: i) to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and ii) to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities by the public - the first purpose taking precedence over the second in instances where the two purposes might conflict with each other. 2.2.2 The NNP Management Plan is the over-arching strategic document setting out the guiding principles, vision, objectives and actions for managing the National Park and outlines the framework which will guide Park’s future and ensure delivery of the two statutory purposes. It also identifies an additional statutory duty, that of fostering the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park, in recognition of the fact that the living and working landscape and the Park is the result of the interaction of human activity and natural forces. Consequently, local communities need to be empowered to take on an active role as custodians of the landscape and the concept of ‘Action Area’ working has been adopted by NNPA as a framework to enhance the variation in locally distinctive character throughout the Park. Four Action Areas have been identified, the proposed development site falling with the Hadrian’s Wall and South Tyne Action Area. 2.2.3 The four guiding principles identified as underpinning the delivery process are: i) sustainable development – “The National Park will aim to serve as a model of sustainable development within the North East Region”. ii) equality and diversity – “Northumberland National Park is for everyone and should be accessible to the whole community regardless of economic social or physical constraints”. iii) partnership working iv) transparency and openness. 2.2.4 The ‘special qualities of the National Park are identified as being: i) A distinctive landscape character – a stunning and varied landscape, a key characteristic of which is its “openness, with landscapes and horizons free from significant human intrusions which contribute significantly to the high levels of tranquillity”; ii) A landscape rich in biodiversity and geology; iii) A rich cultural heritage, reflected in the many layers of historic landscape in the Park ; iv) A true sense of tranquillity – freedom from noise and visual disturbance is a key component of experiencing the National Park. It is an area with an emotional and spiritual quality. One third of respondents to a visitor survey in 2007 stated that tranquillity was the thing they liked most about the Park. 2.2.5 In addition, a survey by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) in 2006 identified Northumberland as the most tranquil local authority on England, and this is one of the characteristics most valued by visitors to the Northumberland National Park. 2.2.6 Together, these qualities have helped shape the vision for the National Park which is summarised in the vision statement: “Northumberland National Park will be a truly welcoming and distinctive place, easily accessible to all. Its inspiring and changing landscapes, characterised by open spaces, tranquillity, diverse habitats, geology and rich cultural heritage, will be widely recognised and valued. The living, working landscape will contribute positively to the well-being of the thriving and vibrant communities in and around the Park”. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 4 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 2.2.7 In turn, the vision of the Park is embedded in five Strategic Aims, set out below, with outcomes relevant to this assessment noted as follows: 1) A welcoming Park – i) people who come to the National Park will feel they have had an exceptional experience in relating to the landscape and in finding peace, tranquillity and adventure; ii) the National Park will be accessible to a wider and more diverse audience; iii) a more diverse range of learning opportunities will be available. 2) A distinctive place – i) that will maintain a sense of inspiration and tranquillity; ii) the natural qualities and diverse habitats will be safeguarded and enhanced. 3) A living, working landscape for now and the future 4) Thriving communities 5) A valued asset. 2.2.8 Of particular relevance to this assessment is the Strategic Aim of delivering a ‘distinctive place’. This has generated a number of objectives directly relevant to landscape with the most notable means of achieving them outlined below: Objective Means to achieve To protect and enhance tranquillity levels as the highest in England New development to be in line with policies set out in the LDF. To ensure all new development will conserve or enhance the natural and cultural qualities of the National Park. Ensure effective design guidance is promoted and good design is celebrated. Ensure visitor and recreational use complements the character and capacity of the locations in which it takes place. Positively promote and enhance low impact recreational access to tranquil areas. 2.3 Northumberland National Park Local Development Framework: 2.3.1 The LDF consists of a set of documents which together guide new development in the National Park and assist in delivering the strategy set out in the National Park Management Plan. The three documents within the LDF which are of particular relevance to this LVIA are: 1) Core Strategy and Development Policies Document 2.3.2 The following policy extracts are of particular note: Policy 1 – Delivering Sustainable Development: sustainable development should conserve / enhance the special qualities of the National Park, making efficient use of land, materials and infrastructure. It should provide opportunities to understand and enjoy the special qualities of the Park and demonstrate high quality design, promoting accessibility via public transport, cycling or walking. Policy 3 – General Development Principles: new development must promote principles of sustainable development, protecting and enhancing local character and distinctiveness through careful integration with the existing built form. It should be sympathetic in terms of scale, height, massing, siting, form, materials, colour and to the protection of open space which contributes to the amenity, character and setting of a settlement. The well being of local communities should be supported by ensuring amenity is not adversely affected in terms of visual impact, pollution, noise and waste and that services and infrastructure can be provided without compromising the quality of the landscape. Policy 19 – Tranquillity: Development proposals which conserve or enhance the tranquillity of the National Park will be supported. In order to determine the extent to which tranquillity is affected there will be an assessment of the impact on the level of noise, traffic and light generated; on the sense of openness of the National Park and on the quite enjoyment of the landscape. Policy 20 – Landscape Quality and Character: All proposals will be assessed in terms of their impact on landscape character and sensitivity as defined in the Landscape Supplementary Planning Document. Development which would adversely affect the quality and character of the landscape will not be permitted. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 5 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 2) Landscape Supplementary Planning Document 2.3.3 The above document aims to assist an assessment of the potential impact of development on the landscape of the National Park and is to be considered alongside a broader Landscape Strategy which it is understood is under preparation. It builds on the work of Natural England in assessing landscape character. Consequently, the relevant content of this Supplementary Planning Document is referred to in section 4.3 which considers issues relating to landscape character. 3) Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document 2.3.4 This is the current format of a Building Design Guide which has been in use since 1995. Rather than setting out new policy, the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) helps interpret existing policies. This specific SPD aims to improve the quality of the built environment and safeguard the special qualities of the area, while at the same time promoting sustainable construction. It is intended to help deliver the vision that all development will contribute to protecting, sustaining and enhancing the special qualities of the National Park, and that it will be sensitively located and designed. 2.3.5 Guidance of particular relevance to the development project is noted below: - Form and hierarchy is evident in individual buildings within the National Park and has traditionally been dictated by function and intended status. - The building materials used often reflects what materials were locally available, the intended status of a building or even what was fashionable at the time of construction. The material most commonly used was stone, reflecting the diverse granites and whinstone. - External features help tie a building into the wider landscape and anchor it into its setting, occasionally declaring its status. - New technologies, designs and materials must be embraced and contemporary design is to be supported, but it must be appropriate and locally distinctive. - Design quality of new development is of the highest importance and should consider siting, massing, scale, proportion, rhythm, materials and colour, as well as the contribution to sustainable development. Distinct design considerations for new buildings which are either in the ‘open countryside’ or in a ‘settlement’ (both of which are applicable to the Once Brewed site given its position within the hamlet of Twice Brewed) are listed. New development in open countryside should: - take account of wider views into and out of the development site; - sit comfortably within the site and not harm views through the use of inappropriate materials; - reflect the form of the surrounding landscape; - take care not to break the skyline; - have boundary treatments that avoid a suburbanising effect. New development within settlements should: - look at the form and rhythm of existing buildings; - consider height, scale and massing in relation to surrounding buildings; - use boundary treatments to anchor the building into the wider setting; - consider opportunities for creating new habitats. With regard to external works: - site boundaries should reflect surrounding character; - consideration should be given to the facing material of retaining walls; - hard surfacing should be kept to a minimum and be permeable where possible; - soft landscaping should use dominant native species and should aim to connect with other natural features to assist the movement of wildlife. 2.4 Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan 2008 - 2014 2.4.1 Hadrian’s Wall was designated as a World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1987 by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as the most complex and best preserved of the frontiers of the Roman Empire. In 2005 it became part of the transnational WHS called ‘Frontiers of the Roman Empire’, being judged to be of universal importance to humanity. 2.4.2 As the whin escarpment on which the Wall sits and, to a lesser extent the Wall itself, are prominent features in the landscape in which the development site is located, policies designed to protect the setting of Hadrian’s Wall are directly relevant to the Once Brewed site. Indeed the site sits within a designated ‘Buffer Zone’, mapped as a visual envelope extending 1-6km from the designated WHS itself, one of the primary objectives of which is to protect the WHS from development that would be detrimental to its visual setting. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 6 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 2.4.3 The Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan notes that the “presence of the Wall has had a lasting effect on the landscape and perceptions of it”, and that the particular characteristics of the landscape are “its open aspect, the maintenance of space between rural settlements, the existing patterns of fields and open country, the use of traditional local materials in building, and woodland developed to reinforce the patterns of the landscape”. 2.4.4 The Hadrian’s Wall Path – a National Trail – opened in 2003, running on or close to the remains of the Wall and in 2006 the Hadrian’s Cycleway (National Cycle Route 72) was opened. 2.4.5 Appendix 7 of the Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan summarises the policies set out within it, listing amongst other things, the need to maintain and reinforce the special character of the Wall landscape including its beauty and natural heritage, and to retain the vitality of the landscape. 2.5 Landscape Character Assessment for Northumberland National Park 2007 2.5.1 This document has been used to inform the content of the Landscape Supplementary Planning Document referred to above and the character of the landscape around the development site is covered in detail in section 4.3 of this report. However, for each Landscape Character Type (LCT) identified in the above Landscape Character Assessment, an outline strategy principle is defined to help shape future management of the specific landscape and guidelines are offered for what is considered to be appropriate land management and development. The strategy for the LCT within which the site is located is set out as follows: “This landscape has a strong identity and many valuable landscape features which remain in good condition. The overall strategy for this area is to conserve and sensitively manage.” 2.5.2 With regard to future management, the following guidelines are relevant: - Forestry and woodland: Restocking of shelterbelts to increase native species. Planting to have softer outlines with shapes designed to integrate with local topography. - Field boundaries: Rebuilding and restoration of stone walls should be encouraged. - Historic sites: conservation of historic sites and their settings and areas of earthworks should be encouraged, particularly where they act as local focal points and create strong landscape patterns and textures. - Tourism and recreation: Any development should be low key, conserving the wild character of the Wall’s setting, with care taken to avoid altering or suburbanising the landscape character. New buildings should respect the local surroundings in terms of materials and scale. New development should not be visually prominent and should not detract from the scenic quality of the area. - Transport: Any improvements to road safety on the Military Road must have minimum visual impact on the open moorland character and the World Heritage Site. Night lighting should be resisted and signage kept to a minimum. 2.6 Exterior Lighting Masterplan 2.6.1 In December 2013 the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) awarded Dark Sky Park status to the combined areas of the Northumberland National Park and the Kielder Water and Forest Park – a total area of 1,482km2. An essential component of the successful bid for Dark Sky Park status was an Exterior Lighting Masterplan (LMP) prepared by Lighting Consultancy And Design Services Ltd. which aims to provide practical advice on mitigating stray light within the Dark Sky Park for the NNPA, adjacent Local Authorities, local businesses and residents. The document is not regulatory but outlines strategies of best working practice with regard to design and planning guidelines and choice of lighting fixtures and correct installation practice. 2.6.2 The LMP sets out nine Plan Statements which describe how a Basic Light Limitation Plan is to be applied to defined ‘Environmental Zones’ within the Dark Sky Park. The Once Brewed site falls within the broad Environmental Zone E0-250. 2.6.3 Appendix H of the LMP contains a Planning Application Guidance Note for all new or refurbished exterior lighting installations. It confirms that an assessment of existing and future lighting effects should now form an essential element for planning applications within a designated Dark Sky award area. It makes reference to the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) ‘Professional Lighting Guide 04: Guidance on Undertaking Environmental Lighting Impact assessments:2013’ which focuses on the external lighting aspects of new development applications and includes design and assessment methodology. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 7 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 3.0 Assessment Methodology & Significance Criteria 3.1 Introduction 3.1.1 The methodology for this LVIA is based on the ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’: Third Edition: 2013 (GLVIA 3, 2013), edited by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. This document is regarded as the industry standard work, setting out the principles for the assessment process. While the accepted methodology for LVIA work is now reasonably well established, qualitative judgements and a degree of subjectivity remain a critical part of LVIA with regard to gauging the significance of identified effects for example, or identifying impacts on perceptual aspects of landscape character. Consequently, it is important that such professional judgement is based on a logical and transparent methodology so that it can be examined and understood by others. This section of the LVIA chapter sets out the framework upon which the assessment has been made. 3.1.2 The ‘Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland’ published by the then Countryside Agency (2002) in association with Scottish Natural Heritage, has also been used as a reference. 3.2 Landscape and visual effects 3.2.1 Following the recommendation in the GLVIA, in this assessment the term ‘impact’ is used to refer to the action being taken and the term ‘effect’ is defined as the change resulting from that action. It is the purpose of the LVIA to assess effects both on the landscape as a resource in its own right, and on views of the landscape and general visual amenity. 3.2.2 It should be noted that issues relating specifically to the potential effects of the proposed development on the historic landscape and the setting of sites of cultural heritage significance have been assessed by specialist landscape historians within the Cultural Heritage chapter of the Environmental Statement. Consequently, a detailed analysis of such effects has been excluded from this report. 3.2.3 The GLVIA defines the assessment of landscape effects as “assessing effects on the landscape as a resource in its own right.” Components of the landscape that are likely to be affected by a proposed development are referred to as landscape receptors and can include individual elements or features, overall character and key characteristics and aesthetic or perceptual aspects. Landscape effects derive from changes in the physical landscape which may give rise to changes in its character and how this is experienced. This may in turn affect the perceived value ascribed to the landscape. 3.2.4 The Guidelines define the assessment of visual effects as “assessing effects on specific views and on the general visual amenity experienced by people.” People who will be affected by changes in views or visual amenity are referred to as visual receptors and visual effects relate to the changes that arise in the composition of available views as a result of changes to the landscape, to people’s responses to the changes, and to the overall effects with respect to visual amenity. 3.2.5 Landscape and visual effects can be negative (adverse) or positive (beneficial). They can be direct, indirect, secondary or cumulative and be either permanent or temporary (short, medium or long term). They can also arise at different scales (local, regional or national). 3.2.6 The level of significance ascribed to landscape and visual effects depends primarily on the interaction between, and combination of, the sensitivity of the landscape / visual receptor and the scale, or magnitude of the predicted effects of the development. 3.2.7 To assess levels of sensitivity, both the susceptibility of the receptor to the type of change arising from the specific development proposal and the value attached to the receptor, need to be considered. In assessing landscape value, a measure of the physical state of the landscape (ie. its condition or quality) may be made in terms of its intactness from a visual, functional or ecological perspective. It also ‘reflects the state of repair of individual features and elements which make up the character in any one place’, (Countryside Agency & Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002). 3.2.8 In considering the magnitude of change, judgements need to be made about the size and scale, geographical extent and the duration and reversibility of the effect identified. Once levels of receptor sensitivity and the magnitude of change resulting from a specific effect have been defined, a judgement can be made about the overall significance of the landscape / visual effect. 3.2.9 To assist in establishing clarity and transparency of the assessment process used in this LVIA, the criteria for the classification of: i) receptor sensitivity; ii) the value of the baseline landscape and visual receptors, iii) the magnitude of landscape and visual effects, and iv) the resulting significance of the impact identified, are set out in the following tables. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 8 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 3.3 Landscape sensitivity 3.3.1 The objective of the baseline study of the physical landscape of the development site and its setting is to assemble a comprehensive audit of those landscape character and land use features on and around the proposed development site that could contribute to a distinct ‘sense of place’. From such an audit, the more valued landscape receptors that could be directly or indirectly affected and physically altered by the development proposals are identified and the significance of that effect assessed. 3.3.2 Landscape susceptibility (the degree to which a landscape can accommodate change without unacceptable detrimental impact on its character) is not an absolute criterion as its definition is dependent on the nature of the potential development in question. Consequently, an assessment of landscape susceptibility is not strictly part of the baseline study, but is considered at the time of assessing landscape sensitivity in relation to specific identified impacts inherent in the specific development proposals. 3.3.3 The criteria for assessing landscape value is set out in Table 1. TABLE 1 – Criteria for assessing landscape value Value Typical criteria Typical scale Examples High Exceptional High importance and rarity. No / very limited potential for substitution. International, National. World Heritage Site, AONB, National Park, National Scenic Area. High High importance and rarity. Limited potential for substitution. National, regional, local. AONB, National Park, National Scenic Area, AHLV / AGLV. Moderate Moderate Medium importance and rarity. Limited potential for substitution. Regional, local. AHLV / AGLV, Regional Scenic Area. Moderate - low Medium importance and rarity. Some / good potential for substitution. Regional, local. Undesignated but value expressed in demonstrable use. Low Low Low importance and rarity. Local. Area identified as having some aspect of local value but with scope for improvement. Very low Low importance and rarity. Local. Areas identified for recovery / enhancement. 3.3.4 To assist the understanding of landscape value, landscape designations over a study area defined by a minimum 3km radius from the centre of the site were identified using Defra’s ‘MAGIC’ web-based data base. 3.4 Visual sensitivity 3.4.1 The sensitivity of a visual receptor is defined by the type of viewer (taking into account the expectation and activity of the receptor), viewer numbers, the duration of exposure to the view and the factor of distance. It also takes into account the importance of both the view itself and the point from which the view is experienced (see Table 2.). TABLE 2 – Criteria for assessing the sensitivity of visual receptors Level Typical criteria High Sensitivity: A strategic view or panorama of acknowledged national or regional importance, in which the proposed development could be clearly seen from a highly sensitive public viewpoint. Communities where the development results in changes to the landscape setting or valued views enjoyed by the community. Users of recreational facilities including public rights of way outside designated areas, whose interest is focussed on the landscape. Occupiers of residential properties with views affected by the development. Moderate Sensitivity A moderately valued view or panorama of local importance, reasonably tolerant of change or a strategic view, or view of acknowledged national or regional importance, seen from a less sensitive public viewpoint and / or from a significant distance. People travelling through or past the affected landscape in cars, trains or other transport routes and whose attention might be focused on the landscape. Users of outdoor sports and recreational facilities in designated areas where the landscape is unlikely to be the primary focus. Low Sensitivity A relatively unimportant view which is potentially tolerant of change or may benefit from that change or moderately valued view or panorama of local importance seen from less sensitive viewpoint and / or from a significant distance. People engaged in outdoor recreation in non-designated areas whose attention maybe focussed away from the change in the view and where tolerance to change is likely to be high. People at their place of work or engaged in similar activities whose attention maybe focussed away from the change in the view and where tolerance to change is likely to be high. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 9 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 3.5 Magnitude of change 3.5.1 The magnitude or scale of physical or visual change can be measured in terms of the degree of change, whether it is adverse or beneficial and whether it is likely to be permanent or temporary. Criteria for the assessment of magnitude of change are set out in Table 3 below. TABLE 3 – Criteria for assessing magnitude of change Level Typical criteria Substantial: Total loss of or major alteration to key elements / features / characteristics of the baseline landscape. Introduction of elements considered to be totally uncharacteristic in the context of the baseline landscape. A large number of sensitive receptors experiencing a major or fundamental change in nature of the baseline view, particularly in near views with the baseline urban skyline substantially changed. Moderate Partial loss of or alteration to key elements / characteristics of the baseline landscape. Introduction of elements that may be prominent but may not necessarily be considered substantially uncharacteristic in the context of the baseline landscape. A moderate, but not fundamental, change in nature of view affecting a notable number of sensitive receptors. Open, uninterrupted views with some middle distance obstruction of part of that view resulting from the proposed development; baseline urban skyline not adversely infringed in view typically seen over medium / long distance. Low Minor loss of or alteration to key elements / features / characteristics of the baseline landscape. Minor but non material change in nature of view; long distance views across urban landscape panorama, or restricted views (upstairs bedroom windows only) with relatively few receptors affected. Negligible Very minor loss of or alteration to key elements / features / characteristics of the baseline landscape.Changes unlikely to be perceived by the majority of visual receptors. 3.6 Impact significance thresholds 3.6.1 Significance is not absolute and can only be assessed in relation to each development in its location. The two principal criteria used in determining significance are: i) the sensitivity of the landscape / visual receptor and ii) the magnitude of change anticipated. 3.6.2 For the purposes of this report, the summary range of the significance of the predicted landscape and visual effects has been subdivided into five levels or grades. These ‘grades’ of significance are defined in Table 4 as follows:- TABLE 4 – Criteria for assessing levels of impact significance Sensitivity of Receptor + Magnitude of change = Impact Significance High High Substantial (Proposals have a large effect within the context of the wider area.) High Moderate Moderate - substantial High Low Moderate (Proposals have a noticeable effect within the context of the wider area.) Moderate High Moderate - substantial Moderate Moderate Moderate (Proposals have a noticeable effect within the context of the wider area.) Moderate Low Low - moderate Low High Moderate (Proposals have a noticeable effect within the context of the wider area.) Low Moderate Low - moderate Low Low Low (Proposals have only a limited effect within the mainly local area.) ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 10 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 3.6.3 No discernible deterioration or improvement in the baseline landscape character or the baseline level of visual amenity would obviously result in no significant or negligible change being attributable. 3.6.4 Impacts may be short term (or temporary), essentially related to changes evident during the construction period of the proposed development, or longer term (or comparatively permanent) resulting in changes in landscape character and to the perception of that landscape after final construction. 3.6.5 For the purposes of this report, impacts which are assessed as being moderate or substantial (adverse) are considered to be of a significance which should influence the design process and mitigation strategy for the proposed development. 3.7 Survey area 3.7.1 The extent of the survey area used for the purpose of assessing landscape and visual effects was defined initially as a result of a desk top exercise, during which a Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) was established using digital terrain model with an OS raster backdrop. This ZTV was then tested and refined as a result of observations made in the field. 3.7.2 Once a ZTV had been defined, key viewpoints were identified within it (see section 3.8) from which to base the assessment of visual effects on the broader landscape and those moving through it. Analysis of the visual effects has been summarised for each selected viewpoint. 3.8 Consultation 3.8.1 Viewpoints upon which the broader visual assessment has been made have been selected in consultation with the Local Planning Authority. 3.8.2 Of the 13no. viewpoints selected in total, those considered to be of greatest significance have been used to generate a photomontage which aims to show how the proposed development is likely to appear when seen from the viewpoint in question. These viewpoints are identified as PM1-8. In order to show the context of the Once Brewed site in the wider landscape at a scale that could be readily reproduced as part of this document, the baseline photographs were taken using a digital SLR camera with the lens set at a focal length of 32mm. To compensate for the loss of detail in these images when reproduced at A3 size, the specific area of the Once Brewed development site has been increased to a size which, when held at arms length, reflects the size of the image of the development as it wold appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. The viewpoints for which no photomontage has been produced are labelled VP1-5. 3.8.3 It has been agreed with the Planning Authority that landscape and visual effects experienced from a distance of 10km or more are generally likely to have a negligible effect on visual receptors. However, it is acknowledged that an exception to this broad principle could result from the visual effects of night time illumination. Consequently a long distance viewpoint (VP6) located within the North Pennies Area of Outstanding natural Beauty (which comes within 5km of the site at its closest point) has been selected specifically for this purpose at an elevated location on the B6305, just south of Langley Castle and c.10.5km to the south east of the Once Brewed site. 3.8.4 At the RIBA Stage C design stage, the initial design concepts for the building and external spaces where presented to the North East Design Review and Enabling Service (NEDRES) – a panel of professional experts in the field of architectural and landscape design, set up to promote high building design quality within the region. It was their shared opinion that the building should have a ‘presence’ when seen from the Military Road corridor and that the visual connection with both the Whin Sill and the Vallum should be maximised. In their view, this would contribute to the sense of drama already evident in the broader landscape. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 11 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.0 Baseline Conditions 4.1 The landscape of the study area (See Figure 1) 4.1.1 In describing the baseline landscape, the aim is to understand the landscape of the area that may be affected by the proposed development. The study area used for the purposes of this assessment has been informed largely by the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) - see section 4.6 - backed up by a desktop survey and observations in the field. However, it extends beyond the ZTV in places in order to capture the relevant setting and visual context for the proposed development site, particularly for those visual receptors who experience the site while passing through this distinct and characterful landscape. 4.1.2 The topography of the study area is very much dominated by the form of the Whin Sill, an intrusion of dolorite (known locally as whinstone) which runs from Upper Teesdale to the Farnes on the Northumbrian coast. It forms a ridge running on a generally east – west alignment, reaching a high point within the study area of 345m AOD at Winshield Crags to the north west of the site. Along this section of the Whin Sill, the outcrops at Peel Crag and Steel Rigg present particularly dramatic focal points on the skyline when viewed from the B6318 corridor, the route from which most people are likely to experience the landscape within the study area. 4.1.3 From the Whin Sill, the land falls to the bottom of the valleys formed by Brackies Burn and Bradley Burn, both of which feed into Chainley Burn which enters the River South Tyne at Bardon Mill. South of Brackies Burn and Bradley Burn, the land rises again to form another ridge, not quite as high as the Whin Sill, but running parallel with it. In broad terms, these two ridgelines define the extent of the most significant part of the ZTV for the proposed development. 4.1.4 Rough grazing and semi-improved pasture dominate the landscape, with medium scale fields defined primarily by dry stone walls but also by post and wire fencing. Tree cover is limited to small clumps and individual specimens along the course of Brackies Burn and Bradley Burn and the small blocks around the Once Brewed site and the adjacent Twice Brewed Inn. Elsewhere, tree and shrub cover is restricted to individual specimens growing along field boundaries or along the B6318 road corridor. 4.1.5 Settlement is sparse, being restricted generally to individual farmsteads, the largest group of properties being the loose cluster defined as Twice Brewed. The only other notable elements of urban infrastructure are the road signs associated with the B6318 and in particular, the group located around the junction adjacent to the Once Brewed site. 4.1.6 The proposed development site at Once Brewed is located on the south side of the B6318 (known locally as the ‘Military Road’) which runs in generally straight sections on an east – west alignment following the line of Hadrian’s Wall. Once Brewed is positioned on the south facing slopes of the valley formed by the Brackies Burn and is 2.5 km north of the major transport route of the A69 road corridor and the valley of the River South Tyne along which it runs. The nearest town is Haltwhistle 5.6km to the south west and the village of Bardon Mill lies 3.5km to the south east, both settlements being located on the A69. 4.1.7 Once Brewed is part of the settlement of Twice Brewed, a dispersed group of buildings along the B6318 comprising the existing Once Brewed NNPA visitor centre and YHA building and the neighbouring Twice Brewed Inn, the Winshields camp site, three domestic residences including West Twice Brewed, the Vallum Lodge guest house and a domestic residence and farm stead at East Twice Brewed. 4.1.8 Other isolated properties of note within the vicinity of the site but set back from the B6318 corridor are: - Seatsides and Smith’s Shield on the top of a prominent ridgeline to the south of the site which defines the southern boundary of the National Park designation; - The National Trust owned holiday cottages of Springwell Cottage and Peel Bothy located on the minor road leading from the B6318 up to the Whin Sill to the north; - The farm of East Bog on the south facing slope of the Whin Sill escarpment. 4.1.9 The Once Brewed site lies at the point at which one of the occasional minor roads running north – south connecting the A69 with the B6318, intersects the Military Road. Having crossed the Military Road, the minor road continues north over the Whin Sill and provides access to the Steel Rigg car park operated by the NNPA. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 12 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.1.10 Public Rights of Way and designated recreational routes within the study area are shown in Figure 1. The most notable are listed below: - Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail – follows Hadrian’s Wall on the crest of the Whin Sill escarpment but occasionally runs on lower ground to the south of the ridge. - Pennine Way National Trail – follows the line of the Hadrian’s Wall Path before striking off northward at a point 1km west of Houseteads Roman fort. - National Cycle Routes 68 and 72 – connect the site with the Whin Sill to the north, Vindolanda Roman fort to the east and the A69 to the south. - Several public footpaths running from the B6318 corridor southward up slope to the ridge south of the Brackies Burn. 4.1.11 Designated heritage sites are covered in the heritage section of the Environmental Statement, however three specific sites or features are of such significance that they should be mentioned here. The first is Hadrian’s Wall and the associated linear earthworks of the Vallum. The former follows the ridge of the Whin Sill and the latter runs close to the B6318. Consequently, both have a strong visual profile and play a major part in defining the drama and romance of this ancient landscape. The other two sites are the Roman forts of Housesteads and Vindolanda (4.2km to the north east and 1.8km to the south east of the site respectively), both major tourist destinations drawing visitors to this local area. Also of note is the specific location on Hadrian’s Wall know as ‘Sycamore Gap’ just to the east of Milecastle 39 and 1.2km from the Once Brewed site. The view of the mature sycamore tree which has established in the centre of a dramatic dip in the Whin Sill ridgeline has become an iconic image in the region, made all the more famous as a result of it being the location for a scene in the film ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ staring Kevin Costner (1991). 4.2 The development site (To be read in conjunction with Figure 2 - ‘Existing Site Plan’) Location and topography 4.2.1 The proposed development site is located at the junction of the B6318 Military Road with the minor road which connects it with the A69 at Heshaw and at Bardon Mill to the south. It lies 400m within the southern boundary of the Northumberland National Park on the south facing slope of the valley containing the Brackies Burn flowing in a west – east direction. 4.2.2 The boundaries of the site are clearly defined by the Military Road to the north, the minor road to the east and the Brackies Burn to the south. The western boundary is shared with the Twice Brewed Inn and associated car park at the northern end, and is largely defined by a field boundary and the course of a tributary to the Brackies Burn on its central and southern sections. The northern part of the site currently contains the existing Northumberland National Park Authority’s visitor centre (NNPA) and a hostel operated by the Youth Hostel Association (YHA). The central and southern sections are defined by a field owned by the National Trust which is currently used by a tenant farmer for grazing sheep. 4.2.3 From a level of 224.5m AOD at the north eastern corner, the site slopes to 201.3m AOD at the valley bottom. In its central and southern sections, the site is slightly elevated above the minor road to the east along much of its length and there is a marked change in gradient along the western boundary where the land falls more steeply to form a small valley for the stream which flows south into the Brackies Burn. 4.2.4 Similarly, a section of the southern field falls south at a more pronounced gradient before levelling out at the valley bottom to form a distinct landscape character sub-zone within the site. Site features The northern part of the site: 4.2.5 All existing built development on the site is restricted to the northern section. The current NNPA visitor centre is a single storey building finished in natural stone cladding and with a pitched slate roof. Glazing and timber cladding on the north elevation facing the service area and car park is of low visual quality but has a low visual profile. On the eastern elevation, signage in the form of large, white individual letters fixed to the plain stone clad wall identify the building as a tourist destination point when seen from the Military Road corridor. 4.2.6 The main entrance to the visitor centre is on the southern elevation and is marked by larger glazed panels. Outside the entrance, riven faced stone flags and dry stone wall raised beds form a patio garden containing a haphazard arrangement of timber picnic tables and benches, steel bike stands, litter bins and interpretation / information panels. Solar panels are located on the roof above the main entrance. 4.2.7 The western elevation of the visitor centre is dominated by a depot area with a large steel container enclosed by a close board fence of low visual quality. Adjacent to this storage area is a pathway to the youth hostel which is largely screened from view by a block of tree and shrub planting. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 13 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.2.8 The hostel building itself takes the form of a stone clad single storey, flat roof building on the east side (separated from the NNPA visitor centre to the south by a narrow paved area) which is connected by a central timber clad single storey block with large glazed panels, to a two storey accommodation block with a slate pitched roof, stone cladding and pebble-dash finish above ground floor level. The main entrance within the central section is accessed via a courtyard garden area paved in precast concrete flags and containing a random arrangement of timber planters, picnic tables and benches. The garden space extends around the western side of the hostel building where it takes the form of an overgrown naturalistic garden dominated by individual mature trees and tree / shrub groups. 4.2.9 Immediately to the south of the YHA garden is a compacted stone footpath linking the neighbouring Twice Brewed Inn site with the main NNPA car park. The path passes between the garden and a fenced off, overgrown area containing septic tanks which once served both buildings on site. 4.2.10 The main car park to the visitor centre is located immediately to the south of the building and is formed in tarmacadam with a stone sett edging and with unmarked parking bays formed in compacted gravel. A grass strip with a couple of picnic tables and timber post and rail fence define the southern edge of the car park area. 4.2.11 A second car park serving the youth hostel is located right in the visually prominent north eastern corner of the site where the large area of tarmac also caters for services vehicles and provides access to timber sheds / garage (in poor condition), a LPG compound and an unfenced bin store. The overall visual effect is one of low visual quality. This car park area has its own entrance directly off the minor road close to the junction with the Military Road. Vehicular and pedestrian access gates are in timber and of an agricultural style. 4.2.12 From this service area, a narrow concrete path runs along the northern edge of the youth hostel, the northern elevation of which is formed predominantly by a single storey stone clad block with a narrow strip of glazing just below the eaves. The path marks the southern toe of the earth mound which is the Vallum – a Roman military earthwork and Scheduled Ancient Monument. Within the site, the Vallum is barely legible, its form being hidden by tree and shrub cover, much of which is in poor condition and is of low visual quality. 4.2.13 A low dry stone wall, generally in good condition, defines the site boundary on the Military Road corridor and on the eastern boundary. Breaks in the wall mark the entrance points into the site and at these locations there is a scattered collection of individual but uncoordinated road signs and site markers relating to the existing facilities. 4.2.14 The stone wall also runs down the northern section of the western site boundary. Although it forms the boundary to the youth hostel garden, for the most part it is well screened from within the site by tree and shrub planting. 4.2.15 Details of the tree cover on site is recorded in a Tree Survey produced by AMR Geomatics, 2013. The survey records 51no. individual trees with a diameter greater than 75mm (the majority of which are assessed as being of fair to poor condition) and 9 tree groups (Groups A – H) of varying sizes. With regard to the individual trees, beech (Fagus sylvatica) and cherry (Prunus sp) are dominant, although 70% of the cherries are noted as dead or in such poor condition as to warrant felling. Oak (Quercus petraea), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) are also present together with smaller numbers of silver birch (Betula pendula), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), alder (Alnus glutinosa), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). 4.2.16 In terms of tree groups, the largest by far is the triangular block of woodland on the eastern site boundary to the south of the NNPA car park which comprises an even aged stand of ash, rowan, Scots pine, sycamore and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) approximately 10m in height. A sign on a timber gate giving pedestrian access into the woodland at its northern end identifies it as a woodland play area, although signs of play activity are limited. Also visually prominent is a younger (but still well established) group of alder, ash, beech and hawthorn which screens the YHA building and its garden from the NNPA car park to the south. A small engraved timber sign suggests this planting was undertaken by the NNPA and the Northumbrian Tourist Board in 1992 as part of ‘Beacon Europe’. 4.2.17 Other tree groups of note are the narrow strip of mature Scots pines and overgrown leylandii hedge which form a dense evergreen screen along the western edge of the YHA garden at the north west corner of the site, and the small fenced group of hawthorn and beech marked as a ‘wildlife garden’ on the edge of the NNPA car park near the northern corner of the triangular woodland block. 4.2.18 As for the pattern of distribution of individually recorded trees within the site, the most prominent grouping is that of the belt of trees which have become established on and adjacent to the Vallum on the site’s northern boundary. Small patches of ornamental shrubs such as cotoneaster and rhododendron are also present within this tree belt in which the size and condition of the trees varies enormously. Interconnected groups of individual trees also define much of the character of the YHA garden space and the enclosed ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 14 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 nature of the western end of the NNPA car park. Elsewhere within the site, individual trees are generally seen in isolation, particularly along the north eastern and eastern boundary within the grass verge between the buildings / car parks and the public roads. Of these specimen trees, the only one worthy of particular note is the mature ash tree on the south side of the NNPA site entrance which acts as a focal point and an informal gateway feature. However, this tree leans at a significant angle out over the public highway and the tree survey has identified signs of rot in a hollow at the base of the trunk which merits further investigation if the tree is to be retained. 4.2.19 One impact which is likely to affect the site, regardless of the development proposal, is the spread of Fraxinus chalara, a disease which causes the gradual death of ash trees and which has been detected in mature trees of this species in Northumberland. Once infected, the life span of a tree is likely to be less than 10 years, however it is impossible to predict whether the trees on site will succumb to the disease or show resistance, or at what stage any effects might become apparent. 4.2.20 For the purpose of this assessment it is appropriate to note that the three individual ash trees on site are all located adjacent to the entrance to the NNPA car park and represent the three age classes of ‘young, ‘middle aged’ and ‘mature’. In the tree survey, all three are regarded as being of low quality and value (category C) but do provide some screening or softening effect to the locality (subcategory 2). If these three trees were lost, the eastern boundary of the site would become marginally more permeable in terms of views into the site in this location. 4.2.21 The loss of ash trees which are present within the planting block south of the youth hostel and in the triangle of woodland on the eastern boundary (tree groups A and D respectively) is unlikely to have a significant visual effect, on the basis that the space created by dead / dying trees is likely to be filled by the growth of neighbouring trees as they respond to the increased light levels. The central and southern section: 4.2.22 The remaining two thirds of the main proposed development site comprises a field of semi-improved pasture, together with the triangle of woodland referred to in section 4.2.16 above. A timber field gate in the south eastern corner caters for agricultural vehicular access into the site but pedestrian access is also possible via timber gates in the post and rail fence along the southern edge of the NNPA car park. 4.2.23 A post and wire fence prevents stock from gaining access to the Brackies Burn which flows in a small incised channel along the southern edge of the field. In contrast, access to the tributary which runs through the site temporarily on its western boundary, is not fenced off. The western field boundary is defined primarily by a dry stone wall but with a post and wire fence featuring at the southern end of the site. 4.2.24 Timber poles located at intervals within the field near the top of the tributary’s west facing valley slope, support over head electric cables which run from a pole mounted transformer near the western end of the NNPA car park, to a pole in the bottom of the valley. From here they run across the southern section of the field in two directions, both up and down stream on a broadly east – west axis. Copse north of the Military Road: 4.2.25 Directly opposite the north eastern corner of the site on the north side of the B6318 Military Road, there is a group of alder and rowan which forms a small copse within an area enclosed by a dry stone wall. Believed to be a former garden space associated with a previous youth hostel building, the regularly spaced trees cover gently sloping ground falling towards the back of the Military Road highway verge. The only break in the dry stone wall is on the southern boundary at a former narrow gateway marked by two stone gateposts. 4.3 Landscape character Broad landscape 4.3.1 Landscape character refers to the distinct pattern of elements relating to geology, soils, topography, land use, vegetation cover, settlement patterns etc. that differentiates one landscape from another and contributes to a recognisable sense of place. 4.3.2 The National Character Areas (NCA) as defined by Natural England, based on the Character Map of England (Countryside Commission, 1998) that fall within the study area are illustrated in Figure 3 and include: - 11 Tyne Gap and Hadrian’s Wall - 5 Border Moors and Forests - 10 North Pennies ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 15 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.3.2 The site itself lies within the western section of NCA 11 Tyne Gap and Hadrian’s Wall. Listed characteristics of note include: - it is visually contained to the north by the parallel scarps of the Whin Sill; - farmland is pastoral in the west, merging to mixed and arable in the east; - there is a variety of enclosure patterns, with large, walled enclosures predominant in the west and hedged enclosures in the east; - north of the Whin Sill there is open, windswept semi-improved and rough grazing on elevated land, with loughs and rushy pastures; - very evident remains of the Roman wall, forts and associated features occur on the Whin scarp. 4.3.3 The landscape of this NCA has been analysed in more detail by Julie Martin Associates and Alison Farmer Associates with Countryscape as part of their Landscape Character Assessment of Tynedale District and Northumberland National Park, 2007. 4.3.4 This more detailed analysis has identified the Landscape Character Type (LCT) 14: Parallel Ridges and Commons within the part of the NCA in which the site is located, Landscape Character Types being landscapes with broadly similar combinations of basic landscape elements and which can therefore be found in different places. 4.3.5 The key characteristics of LCT 14: Parallel Ridges and Commons are identified as follows: - repeating pattern of elevated ridges and shallow troughs with strong east-west alignment: - cuesta landscape; - dramatic outcrops of igneous rock forming pronounced north-facing scarps and south facing dip slopes; - open moorland with mat-and purple moor grass, peat bogs, improved pastures and commons and loughs; - medium to large-scale enclosure pattern defined by stone walls and post and wire fencing; - extensive Roman archaeology associated with Hadrian’s Wall but also earlier archaeology; - limited habitation of dispersed farmsteads nestling into landform and surrounded by shelter planting; - limited tree cover of small broadleaved copses and blocks of coniferous plantation; - significant area for outdoor recreation. 4.3.6 In addition, other observations of note include: - The outcrops of Whin Sill are seen rising often abruptly from the gently undulating moorland, creating a sense of drama and ruggedness; - There are extensive areas of open mat-grass moorland and patches of carr woodland, reed bed and bog habitats associated with lower lying areas and glacial loughs and within these areas the landscape has a large scale and exposed character; - Elsewhere, the land has been enclosed by sandstone walls or fencing (particularly to the south of the Whin Sill and around isolated farmsteads) to create a medium scale pattern of semi-improved pastures, many of which are wet, the rushes creating visual texture. - Tree cover is limited to small copses of ash and thorn and blocks of coniferous plantation; - Many of the farmsteads date to the 19thC and are located in a dispersed pattern, nestled into the landform among rocky outcrops. - More recent man-made features in this landscape relate to the area’s importance for recreation and tourism. Signage, car parks, footpaths and interpretation are frequent and characteristic and are particularly concentrated along the Military Road and Whin Sill. - This landscape character type feels remote because of its narrow roads, sparse settlement, extensive agriculture management, and exposure to the elements. The landscape seems timeless and unmodified since Roman times. The complex, enduring form of the Whin Sill, set within a simple and uniform landscape of gently rolling moorland and enclosed pastures, remains its defining feature. 4.3.7 The LCT is broken down further into Landscape Character Areas – landscape units which share the same characteristics as the LCT but which display their own individual character and identity. The Parallel Ridges and Commons LCT is divided into three LCAs, the development site lying close to the centre of the largest of the three – LCA 14b Haltwhistle, Melkridge and Ridley Commons which is defined primarily for the dramatic escarpment and associated outcrops of the Whin Sill and the overt signs of Roman occupation. Scattered farmsteads are often surrounded by small copses of trees and visitor signage is also prominent in parts. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 16 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Site character 4.3.8 At a more detailed level, the proposed development site itself can be divided into 5 sub-character zones as follows: Zone 1: Military Road corridor – a largely utilitarian area of low visual quality along the north side of the existing buildings, dominated by the service area (bin store, LPG compound, sheds) YHA car park, and the noise and movement of traffic on the B6318. The ‘back’ of the YHA building is presented to the Vallum Scheduled Ancient Monument and this important earthwork is barely legible in the landscape largely due to the tree and shrub cover growing on it, much of which is in a very poor condition. The proximity of the buildings and the continuous tree cover means much of the area is in shade for prolonged periods and the resulting sense of enclosure is at odds with the proximity of the B6318. In contrast to the immediate surroundings however, this part of the site does give striking views (some filtered) north to the dramatic landscape of the ridge of the Whin Sill, and in particular, the view to Peel Crag. Zone 2: YHA garden – although similar to the western end of zone 1 in terms of being enclosed and shaded by boundary tree cover and buildings, this ‘garden’ space is more domestic in character. Signs of a fire pit and the presence of a suspended basket seat from a tree indicate that the space functions as an informal garden. Much of the vegetation appears to be unmaintained giving it a naturalistic appearance which has a certain appeal. Although neglected, the space is secluded, relaxing and a offers a degree of escapism and communion with nature. Zone 3: NNPA and YHA environs – The sequence of linked, generally small spaces that combine to make up the ‘front of house’ areas to the existing facilities on site lack visual quality but have a low key charm nonetheless, being domestic in scale and welcoming. The absence of any coordinated design to the layout of the external spaces is apparent but is perhaps appropriate for such a location. The NNPA car park is of low visual impact from the main entrances to both buildings and allows the view south across the valley of the Brackies Burn to dominate. Zone 4: South facing slope within the southern field – From within this grazed field, the dominant view is to the south and to the ridgeline of the north facing slope of the Brackies Burn valley. Consequently, the presence of the NNPA car park and visitor facilities has a reduced impact on the character of this space which is rural and open. In amenable weather conditions the view can be stimulating. In poor conditions, the openness of the site can translate as being exposed. Zone 5: Brackies Burn valley bottom within the southern field – With very few urban elements present in the view from this enclosed and secluded spot within the valley, the sense of being in a peaceful rural location is enhanced. Being in an incised channel, the Brackies Burn itself has limited impact on the visual character of the space yet its presence still contributes to the sense harmony in the landscape character. 4.4 The landscape at night 4.4.1 As might be expected in a landscape where buildings are generally isolated and sparsely scattered and where roads are not lit, levels of illumination after sun set are extremely low within the study area. The main sources of light are: - External security lights to domestic / commercial properties and farm buildings, some of which are temporary, responding to the movement of vehicles / people – generally the most visible light sources being uncovered and bright; - Internal lighting to domestic properties – generally muted in intensity due to the presence of curtains / blinds used at night; - Car lights – bright but transient. Catch the eye due to movement. 4.4.2 Light levels for the existing NNPA visitor centre are very low at night as the site facilities only operate between the hours of 10am and 3pm during the months between the end of October and end of March. Pin-point red and green security lighting is visible within the building but only from within the southern car park area of the site itself. The entrance and associated signage into the site are not illuminated. 4.4.3 On the south side of the youth hostel, external spot lighting and a wash of lighting at the main entrance is visible but only from the southern car park where it is largely screened by a combination of existing vegetation and the fenced depot area to the NNPA visitor centre. The visual impact of existing lighting when seen from locations to the south and which are outside the site, is very subtle. What is more noticeable is the orange glow from a wall mounted security light to the Twice Brewed Inn car park. 4.4.4 In views westward into the site from the YHA car park to the north, external wall mounted lighting is more visible but still has a limited visual profile in views from outside the site. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 17 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.4.5 In views south from the road leading up to the Steel Rigg / Peel Crag car park, the regular spacing of uncovered wall mounted external lighting along the length of the north elevation of the youth hostel is uncharacteristic of lighting in the area and gives the impression that there is a large building present, even if the building itself is not visible. On the neighbouring site the Twice Brewed Inn car park security light is dominant and internal lighting to the entrance porch is visible. Together, the Twice Brewed Inn and YHA sites represent the main clusters of lighting visible in the view but the overall effect is not intrusive to a significant degree. 4.5 Landscape value The broader landscape 4.5.1 Establishing the value of the landscape in which the proposed development site is located and of the landscape features within the site itself, is of direct relevance when it comes to assigning a level of susceptibility to change to those identified landscape receptors. 4.5.2 The role of Northumberland National Park as a ‘special place’ and a valued resource not just for the North East but for the nation as a whole, has been noted in section 3 above. The NNPA Management Plan itself notes that: “National Parks are the most beautiful, spectacular and dramatic expanses of countryside in England, Scotland and Wales and are landscapes of national importance. They contain a wealth of nationally and internationally important wildlife and cultural heritage.” The Northumberland National Park is expansive, covering 20% of the county. However, there is no doubt that the specific landscape within which the Once Brewed site is located is as valued as any within the remainder of the Park. The dramatic topography created by the Whin Sill outcrop inspires and challenges. It can have an emotional and spiritual quality and a sense of tranquillity that is one of the main perceptual qualities valued by visitors to the area. 4.5.3 The Once Brewed site falls within the WHS ‘buffer zone,’ identified as the area beyond the WHS which defines its setting. 4.5.4 Other heritage assets of the Roman period of national value, designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments, surround the site and one, the Vallum Earthworks, actually lies within the northern section of the proposed development site. 4.5.5 A Grade II post medieval listed building lies 200m to the west of the site at West Twice Brewed. 4.5.6 The value of the local landscape for recreational activities in which direct experience of the landscape is important is confirmed by the presence of designated routes of national significance such as the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way, and National Cycle Routes 68 and 72. 4.5.7 At ‘Sycamore Gap’ 1.2km to the north east of the site, a single mature sycamore tree growing on the line of the Wall ( just east of Milecastle 39) in the centre of a dramatic dip in the escarpment, is associated with a scene in the film ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ staring Kevin Costner and many visitors are drawn to that specific point on the line of Hadrian’s Wall for that reason. 4.5.8 Although issues relating to ecology are beyond the scope of this report, it is worth noting that there are 2no. National Nature Reserves and 3no. Sites of Special Scientific Interest within 3.5km of the site (see Figure 1). The nearest of these is the Roman Wall Escarpment SSSI on the north side of the B6318. 4.5.9 Consequently, there can be no doubt that the local landscape within which the proposed development site is located is valued at a national and international level. In addition, as of December 2013, the site falls within an area which has been granted International Dark Sky Park (Gold tier) status by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). It is the largest area of protected night sky in Europe, and amongst the largest in the world. Landscape receptors on site 4.5.10 This section considers the value of the main individual landscape features within the site in terms of their quality and aesthetic appeal and their contribution to the recognised value of the broader landscape. 4.5.11 The existing buildings themselves are considered to be of little architectural merit and value. Although they generally blend into the landscape as a result of the use of stone and slate in construction, when seen close up, the elevational treatment and detailing and the surrounding external spaces are seen to be of low visual quality. 4.5.12 The Tree Survey for the site prepared by AMR Geomatics notes that: “The mature trees on the site make a significant contribution to the landscape of this part of the Hadrian’s Wall corridor and help to blend the existing buildings into the landscape.” The value of the trees lies predominantly in the role they perform as a group in terms of their screening function, habitat provision and generating a feature characteristic of a landscape in which trees are generally restricted to groups and clumps associated with individual farmsteads or residential properties. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 18 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.5.13 When considered in isolation, many of the trees are in poor to fair condition, and there are few highly valued individuals. One notable ‘landmark’ tree is the mature ash at the existing entrance to the NNPA car park. However, there are concerns over its future stability. 4.5.14 Although the trees on the Vallum along the northern site boundary perform a valuable screening role to the existing buildings in views from the north, it is acknowledged that their presence could be detrimental to the condition and preservation of the Vallum Scheduled Ancient Monument. 4.5.15 Tree cover on the site is therefore generally assessed as being of low to moderate value. 4.5.16 The low dry stone wall which defines the extent of the site on its northern and eastern boundaries is generally in good condition. It is a distinctive feature of the site and an element which is characteristic of the broader landscape. It is of moderate value. 4.5.17 The field to the south of the existing NNPA car park is of moderate value, providing an attractive setting to views south across the Brackies Burn valley from the current visitor centre. The southernmost section of this field which forms the valley floor, is visually segregated from the site facilities by the local topography. This isolation and containment generates a distinct sense of place which is of a higher value. 4.5.18 The site feature of most significant value is the Vallum – an earthwork feature from the Roman period which runs along the northern boundary of the site and which is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance. 4.6 Visual baseline Visual context – broader landscape 4.6.1 A digital terrain model covering the area within a 15km radius of the Once Brewed site has been used to generate a Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) for the existing site (see Figure 4). This uses elevation data alone to predict points from which ground level of the existing site is theoretically visible assuming a ‘bare earth’ landscape in which the potential screening impact of vegetation and buildings etc. is not taken into account. 4.6.2 The ZTV in Figure 4 shows that, given the parameters set out above, the areas on the north side of the River South Tyne from which the site may be visible are restricted to a comparatively short section of the Military Road corridor, including the line of Hadrian’s Wall and the World Heritage site itself, and a section of road to the south east of the Once Brewed site and due east of the Vindolanda Roman fort site. 4.6.3 Further a field (c. 5+km), on the south side of the river and the A69 road corridor, views of the site are theoretically possible from an area south of Beltingham and a much smaller area north west of Whitfield, and from higher ground to the west, east and south of Langley Castle, including sections of the A686 and B6305. Further south still, the ZTV includes an area of moorland between Ninebanks and Allendale Town, c. 13km from the site. Although further from the Once Brewed site, these potential viewpoints south of the River South Tyne are of particular significance as most fall within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 4.6.4 Given the theoretical nature of the zone of visual influence illustrated in Figure 4, survey work in the field has been carried out to establish actual levels of visibility from the more distant viewpoints within the North Pennines AONB. As expected, the screening effect of tree cover, buildings and roadside walls and hedges reduces significantly the actual area from which the site can be seen. Photographs in Figure 5 taken at the five key viewpoints VP 6 – 10 identified in Figure 4 give an indication of the extent to which the site is visible at such distances. Clearly, at distances greater than 5km, the existing site has a low visual profile within the broader views north and in most instances there are other landforms or features on the horizon that draw the eye and provide a focus away from the area in which the site is located. One exception is viewpoint VP6 on the B6305 east of Langley, where the Once Brewed site, although virtually indistinguishable in the broader landscape, is located just below one of the most visually prominent ridges (Winshield Crags) on the horizon. 4.6.5 It should be noted that the site is not visible from Langley Castle which is located within the wooded valley of the Langley Burn and the number of public rights of way within the ZTV south of the River South Tyne is limited. The only public footpath providing sustained long distance views northwards to the Once Brewed site is that running on an east-west axis across a grouse moor at Greenrigg Moor south east of Langley. Visual context – local landscape 4.6.6 A more detailed illustration of the ZTV based upon site ground level covering the area to the north of the River South Tyne is provided in Figure 6 ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 19 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.6.7 It shows that the site may be visible from a 3km section of the B6318 Military Road corridor between Shield on the Wall to the west, and East Twice Brewed to the east. It also indicates that the ZTV is contained by the ridge of the Whin Sill and the line of Hadrian’s Wall to the north, and the ridge formed by the top of the southern slopes of the Brackies Burn valley to the south (and which marks the southern boundary of the National Park). 4.6.8 To the east, the areas from which the existing site might be visible are limited, being restricted mainly to sections of the Whin Sill ridge extending as far as Hotbank Crags and the point at which the Pennine Way leaves the Hadrian’s Wall Path, striking off northward, and a strip of elevated ground on the north western edge of Thorngrafton Common, c.300m east of Vindolanda. 4.6.9 Most visual receptors experience the local landscape around Once Brewed from the Military Road corridor and as such, the Once Brewed site must be seen in the context of a broader visual experience which, whether travelling from the east or the west, captures the drama of Hadrian’s Wall and the cuesta landscape with which it is associated. Within this setting, the existing site and its features have a generally low visual profile. However, the precise nature of this visual profile depends very much on the direction from which the visual receptor, passing through the landscape, approaches the site. 4.6.10 The existing buildings on the site are most visible when approached from the east, yet due to the screening effect of the dry stone boundary wall on the south side of the B6318, the NNPA visitor centre is not clearly visible in the view from the road until one is comparatively close to the buildings. From a distance, the warm grey of the stone and slate building materials blends well with the surrounding backdrop of tree cover and it is only the large white lettering on the east facing elevation which marks the building as a feature of public note. 4.6.11 Approaching from the west, ridges to the north and south prevent a broader outlook and concentrate views along the road corridor to a greater extent. The other dwellings and agricultural buildings which make up the hamlet of Twice Brewed are notable at stages in the view. The large property at Seatsides on the skyline to the south draws the eye, as does the longer distance view of the ridge formed by Thorngrafton Common. The field to the south of the existing NNPA visitor centre is visible in this view but has a low visual profile. However, as one approaches the Once Brewed site, not only is the Twice Brewed Inn much more dominant in the view than the YHA building, which is largely screened by mature tree cover around the outer edges of the site, but distinctive earthworks to the north of the highway provide a focus for attention together with the profile of the Whin Sill forming the horizon. Consequently, the existing site buildings go almost unnoticed until the receptor is travelling along the northern edge of the site. From this close viewpoint, the stone and pebbledash finish to the youth hostel, which is filtered by vegetation on the Vallum, is of low visual quality. The Vallum itself is barely legible, obscured as it is by existing tree and shrub cover. 4.6.12 When travelling towards the site along the road from Henshaw and Bardon Mill to the south, although the Twice Brewed Inn together with a scattered cluster of other buildings are visible, the existing visitor centre and youth hostel buildings are all but hidden from view by existing tree cover. Once past Smith’s Shield, direct and unobstructed views of the field to the south of the existing car park are possible from limited sections of road before it drops down into the bottom of the Brackies Burn valley. When present, vehicles (minibuses in particular) parked in the existing YHA car park and at the western end of the NNPA car park, are notable. These views form part of a broader vista north in which the outcrop of Peel Crag forms a locally distinct focal point. From the point where the road crosses the Burn, views into the lower section of this field are possible, but these are transitory. 4.6.13 Although not a direction from which visual receptors are likely to encounter the existing site for the first time, the visual profile of the site from the north is highly significant as this is the direction from which the site is seen from the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and the Hadrian’s Wall and Pennine Way recreational routes. Currently, views of the existing buildings are heavily filtered, even in winter, by tree and shrub cover within the site. Vehicles parked in the YHA car park at the north east corner of the site are visible and are unscreened. 4.6.14 The south facing field south of the existing NNPA car park is hidden from view. In contrast, the Twice Brewed Inn, painted white on its north facing elevation, is clearly visible, as are cars parked in its car park to the east of the Inn. This is the building which most draws the eye, although other buildings such as Seatsides, East Twice Brewed and Smith’s Shield are also visible. Visual receptors 4.6.15 There are only c.11no. residential properties shown to fall within the ZTV illustrated in Figure 6. These include one public house (The Twice Brewed Inn), one campsite (Winshields Farm Campsite), a guest house (Vallum Lodge) and two holiday cottages owned by the National Trust (Springwell Cottage and Peel Bothy). By their very nature, private domestic residences are generally considered to be highly sensitive visual receptors. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 20 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 4.6.16 Out of these properties, three have direct views of the northern site boundary (East Bog, Springwell Cottage and Peel Bothy) and two (Seatsides and Smith’s Shield) have direct views of the field to the south of the existing facilities on site. 4.6.17 The remaining properties which make up the hamlet of Twice Brewed to the west of the Once Brewed site have very restricted views of the site, screened as it is by buildings and tree cover. Some limited views of the field forming the southern part of the proposed development site are possible. 4.6.18 In terms of properties providing accommodation for visitors and tourists, there are no significant views of the site from the Winshields Campsite and the Vallum Lodge Guest House. Unobstructed views of the site’s north western boundary are possible from the neighbouring Inn but the boundary vegetation provides a strong filter to views of the YHA building. Similarly, as seen from the Springwell Cottage and Peel Bothy holiday lets, both of which are located on the road up to the Steel Rigg car park. Given that the great majority of visitors to the locality are attracted by the highly valued landscape and heritage assets, properties providing accommodation for tourists (short term and long term) are generally considered to be visual receptors of high sensitivity unless specific site conditions suggest otherwise. 4.6.19 Despite being subservient to the A69 with which it runs parallel, the B6318 still functions as an important transport route for those who live and work in the area, connecting the hamlets and isolated farmsteads along the line of the Whin Sill. Some receptors using this route will be of low to moderate susceptibility to change. However, it is its role in providing both visual and physical access to some of the most significant heritage sites in the North East which is of particular relevance, as it carries the great majority of the c. 50- 70,000 people who visit the existing Once Brewed site every year, on average. As previously noted, the quality of the landscape is one of the key factors that attracts visitors to this part of the county, and consequently it should be assumed that potential visual receptors travelling on the B6318 could be moderately to highly sensitive to change. 4.6.20 For the same reason, visual receptors travelling on the road linking the Once Brewed site with the A69 and the road skirting the western edge of Thorngrafton Common, should also be considered to be of moderate to high sensitivity. 4.6.21 It is apparent that the existing site is potentially visible from sections of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site between Turret 37A and Milecastle 41. It is not visible from the Roman fort and Scheduled Ancient Monument at Housteads nor is it visible from the Roman fort and Scheduled Ancient Monument at Vindolanda. However, the site is visible in the background in views of the Vindolanda site as experienced from the elevated ground of Thorngrafton Common. 4.6.22 The visual impact on these and other significant heritage and cultural assets is assessed in detail in the heritage chapter of the ES. For the purposes of this LVIA, the visual effects of the proposed development on views both from and to landscape features of heritage value, are assessed on the basis of selected viewpoints at locations. These are analysed in more detail in section 5 of this report. 4.6.23 Other highly sensitive receptors engaged in recreational pursuits would be those using the National Cycle Route 68 which passes by the site. 4.6.24 Figure 6 identifies a number of public footpaths within the ZTV and although some of these are likely to be used only infrequently, all recreational users should be considered to be potentially highly sensitive visual receptors. Aside from the recreational routes associated with Hadrian’s Wall and the Whin Sill ridge, the footpaths providing the most notable views of the existing site are the two routes which run from Twice Brewed (one from the Winshields Campsite) up the south side of the Brackies Burn valley and over the ridge on which Seatsides is located. Although much of the existing buildings are screened or filtered by tree cover, open views of the southern field within the proposed development site are possible from the higher ground. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 21 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 5.0 Potential Effects 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Within this section the effects of the proposed development on both landscape and visual receptors is assessed and the significance of that effect is graded according to the methodology set out in section 4.2. Consideration is given to the generally temporary effects which relate directly to the construction process, such as the movement and noise of heavy plant etc., and to the more long term effects evident once the construction process is completed. For each effect identified, where appropriate, the level of significance is assessed first without, and then with, reference to mitigation measures which have been incorporated into the design proposal. 5.1.2 Some measures taken to mitigate the impact of the proposed new building on the landscape were defined at a very early stage in the design process and are fundamental to the final architectural vision and design concept. These inherent mitigation measures are outlined in section 7. 5.2 Description of the proposed development 5.2.1 The development which has been assessed is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Basic design concept 5.2.2 The new building has a single footprint of c.2,157m2 and is made up of the NNPA’s Landscape Discovery Centre (the eastern part of the building) and the new YHA 86 bed hostel (the western section of the building). Understanding the design concept behind the proposed building helps with the interpretation of its complex form which is largely inspired by the undulating cuesta landscape in which it is located. The bold northern elevation captures the drama of the north facing Whin Sill escarpment, while the more gentle profile of the southern elevation reflects the softer south facing escarpment slopes. Similarly, building and landscape are fully integrated at the north eastern corner as the lower section of the sloping roof rises out from existing ground levels at a constant gradient before turning back on itself in order to create a dramatic viewpoint and architectural statement aligned with the vista north towards the local focal point of Peel Crag and the Whin Sill. 5.2.3 In response to the site’s sloping topography, the north eastern end of the Landscape Discovery Centre is recessed into the ground while the south western end (the two storey YHA accommodation block which drops half a floor level in relation to the main building mass) appears to project out from the ground. In addition, the provision of a green roof further assimilates the built form with the surrounding green space. 5.2.4 As the building is to function as a ‘gateway’ to the landscapes of the National Park, it is intended that it should have a presence in the landscape and be legible and distinctive. However, it is also a fundamental part of the design concept that the building should be constructed using materials which are of a local character and provenance as much as possible. The building 5.2.5 The shared main entrance is central to the southern elevation, much of which supports a projecting canopy at first floor level made up of photovoltaic panels. The Landscape Discovery Centre is two storeys at its north eastern end (8m above existing ground level), with a café at the upper level aligned with the striking vista to Peel Crag and the Whin Sill. Although the YHA accommodation block is two storey, the fact that it is dropped half a floor level in relation to the main building allows the first floor café and viewing terrace to the Landscape Discovery Centre to function as the feature which draws the eye. Much of the northern and western elevation reads as two storey although a pronounced section of sloping roof deliberately breaks up the straight roofline at the centre of the building and brings it down close to ground level. 5.2.6 On the northern elevation which faces out onto the Military Road corridor, the building is to be faced in whin stone filled gabion baskets at the lower levels with timber cladding used at the higher levels. The junction between the two is stepped so as to reflect the block-like profile of the actual Whin Sill outcrop. Window voids are irregular for the same reason. The stepped form of the whin stone gabions will provide opportunities for incorporating appropriate native planting on the building façade. On the south facing elevation, although the principle of using timber cladding at higher levels is repeated, lower levels are to be faced in sandstone as a softer contrast to the darker whin stone on the northern aspect. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 22 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 5.2.7 On the northern elevation the main area of glazing is that of the café. This glazing continues, running along the length of the south facing elevation of the first floor as it projects above the lower sloping section of the green roof to form an atrium. Below this, much of the central section of the southern elevation is glazed with panels in between stone buttresses formed using dry stone walling techniques. On the YHA accommodation block, glazing is restricted to bedroom windows although a linear skylight is present along the length of the roof to this block. 5.2.8 The green roof to the main body of the building is to be formed using transplanted whin vegetation typical of the rare and threatened plant communities which are associated with the Whin Sill outcrop. Plant plugs are to be planted into a predominantly whinstone gravel – dust and compost mix. A ramp extending from the building at its north eastern end is to continue up on to the roof where it connects with a timber deck walkway. This weaves through the whin vegetation passing seating or rest areas, until it reaches the highest point on the roof which takes the form of a viewing deck over the first floor café. Balustrading to the publicly accessible green roof is to be provided using c.1m high galvanised steel mesh panels of irregular lengths. The green roof to the YHA accommodation block is to be constructed using a basic matrix of appropriate grass species as used on the main green roof. At the southern end, where the accommodation block terminates with the main plant room for the whole building, flues from the plant room will extend 1.5m above the level of the green roof. 5.2.9 The internal lighting for the building has yet to be specified but it is understood that the one of the key objectives would be to minimise light spill by specifying fittings which cast no light above the horizontal plane. External spaces 5.2.10 The overriding design principle for the treatment of external spaces is that they should be treated with a light touch and blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The main challenge has been to accommodate a requirement for approximately 180no. car parking spaces (87 permanent spaces and 93 overflow spaces, the latter in a grassed field). Prior to fixing the design solution illustrated in Figure 7, a number of alternative layouts were considered before being rejected and these are described in section 6 as part of the early mitigation process. 5.2.11 On the north side of the new building, the demolition of the existing visitor centre and youth hostel sees the removal of the existing car park and service area at the north eastern corner of the site. This is replaced with a green events space and the ramped access to the green roof. The new building line is set further back from the Vallum SAM and active management of the vegetation currently growing on the Vallum would include the removal of much of the lower growing ornamental shrubs including rhododendron, and dead / dying trees. Over a prolonged period, there would be a phased approach to the continued selective removal of vegetation on the Vallum which would run parallel with a programme of new planting designed to recreate some of the screening and filtering function of the removed vegetation but in a more considered location where it would not have an adverse impact on archaeological remains. 5.2.12 Key trees marked for retention along the boundary with the Military Road corridor are identified in Figure 9. At the western end of this green buffer strip between the new development and the SAM, a new woven willow hedge planted behind a dry stone wall would provide privacy and security to the YHA garden space which is laid out in the space between the new youth hostel and the western boundary. Much of the mature coniferous planting along the north western boundary is to be retained. The garden space is to incorporate an informal play space, an open events area and a patio with pergola and seat swing etc. A garden path will connect with the gateway to the Twice Brewed Inn site. The north west corner of the garden is also to accommodate a timber bat loft - a 4x4m x 4.7m high structure with a slate pitched roof. The floor of the loft would be 2.5m above ground and the space below it enclosed for use as a cycle storage facility. This element would be constructed in advance of the demolition of the existing buildings. 5.2.13 To the east of the building, a series of dry stone walls (both free standing and retaining) accommodate changes in levels as the green roof and main building integrate with the external landscape. A new lay-by set back from the highway verge is to be formed to cater for service deliveries. Just south of this lay-by, a covered bin store and cycle storage facility are to be constructed in dry stone walling and with a green turf roof. This storage area marks the eastern boundary of a courtyard area defining the arrival / gathering space outside the main entrance. A feature wall projecting out of the building segregates the main entrance area from the neighbouring outdoor classroom space to the west. This educational gathering space is to be separated from the main circulation route to the south by a hawthorn hedge. To the west of the outdoor classroom is an outdoor dining space for the YHA, the southern edge of which is defined by a dry stone retaining wall at the northern end of the YHA accommodation block. Along the southern edge of this ‘front of house’ area, a sweeping arc of a footpath connects the main entrance with the parking areas to the south. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 23 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 5.2.14 Vehicular access to the site remains in its existing southern position and a new timber double leaf field gate is to be provided which can be closed during the movement of livestock along this. The main car park area is located between the new building and the existing triangle of woodland on the eastern site boundary. The space allocated to parking is broken up by the inclusion of new belts and clumps of native tree and shrub planting. A raised hedgebank c. 1m high defines the northern edge ofthe central parking area. All linear planting is to be maintained as informal hedgerow with unrestricted vertical growth. Two low pressure gas tanks are located near the car park entrance, screened by an extension to the existing dry stone boundary wall and by a fence with hedge planting. At the southern end of the upper car park, set against the western edge of the triangular woodland, an electric substation is to be located. It would have a 5x5m footprint, be faced in dry stone walling and have a pitched slate roof, giving it the appearance of an agricultural out-building. 5.2.15 A second tier of car parking is located further down the existing slope and south of the triangle of woodland. It ends on an area of comparatively level ground, approximately 12m back from the top of the crest of a steeper slope down into the Brackies Burn valley bottom. Coach parking bays are positioned alongside the wood’s western boundary. Larger planting areas are used to break up the area of hardstanding and a broad belt of native screen planting runs along the southern edge of the car park and up the eastern boundary. 5.2.16 The main circulation route through the car park areas is to have an asphalt surface finish. Most bays within the upper car park, together with the accessible parking and drop-off area are to be top dressed with tar spray and chippings, giving a softer visual texture. Throughout the remaining car park areas, parking bays are formed using a gravel filled plastic grid. 5.2.17 Between the upper and lower car parks lies a play space focusing on naturalistic play. It also includes a concrete platform for astronomical observation. Although a detailed design for the play area has yet to be created, the provision of some fixed play equipment is anticipated but any such structure would be in timber and have a maximum height of c.3m. 5.2.18 South of the YHA accommodation block a ramped compacted whin stone path (together with resting areas and timber benches) connects the car parks and play area with the main building. A retaining wall formed in gabions with hand placed stone to the face would have a maximum height of 1.5m and run between the southern edge of the upper car park and the path which is at the lower level. New embankments are to be formed to tie the ramped path levels into the existing steep slope leading down to the south flowing tributary. 5.2.19 Within the valley bottom, the more level part of the field is to be allocated for dual use as overflow parking and events space. Minor grading of levels together with land drainage will be required to facilitate this as will a visually discreet means of reinforcing the grass surface. Access to the overflow car park is to be via an existing field gate location in the south east corner of the field. To the north of the entrance, a submerged water treatment plant is to be located in the field, discharging into the Brackies Burn. 5.2.20 The existing overhead electric cable mounted on timber poles which runs down the field and along the valley bottom, is to be relocated underground as part of the development works. 5.2.21 External lighting of the pedestrian route from the two car park areas up to the Landscape Discovery Centre and youth hostel is to be in the form of low level, directional timber bollard lighting to give the lowest level of illumination required to allow safe access. 5.2.22 A camera for registration plate recognition purposes is to be installed near the entrance gate at a point along the existing fence line. A clump of new native shrub planting would form a backdrop. Military Road crossing point 5.2.23 It is proposed that the works on site would include improved access across the Military Road for pedestrians wishing to make the journey up to Hadrian’s Wall and the Whin Sill. This is to be delivered in the form of a break in the site’ northern boundary wall and millstone flags placed within the highway verge at the north eastern corner of the site (see Figure 7) with millstone flags defining a route along the opposite verge to a step down into the existing ditch, and which then continues along the base of the ditch to an existing gateway into a small rectangular copse enclosed by a dry stone wall on all sides. The millstone flag path runs around the inner face of the southern and eastern boundary walls before crossing over the wall, via a newly formed break near the north east corner, and into the highway verge of the road leading up to Peel Crag. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 24 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Junction improvements 5.2.24 Improvements to the sightlines at the junction of the Vindolanda road with the Military Road are also to be carried out as part of the development proposal. This would involve the lowering of the height of the existing dry stone retaining wall that forms the field boundary on the south side of the Military Road on the east side of the junction. The wall would be taken down to the level of the highway verge over a c.30m length and the existing stock proof post and wire fence running in the field immediately behind the wall, would be renewed. On the west side of the junction, the height of the dry stone wall forming the northern site boundary would be reduced by approximately one course over a 30m length. 5.3 Effects during construction 5.3.1 It is anticipated that during the construction process there will be adverse landscape and visual effects of low to substantial significance. These would relate primarily to the effects of construction plant movement (both on and off the site) and noise on the local landscape character and sense of tranquillity but would be temporary. It is expected that the effects would be of greatest significance during the early demolition and earth moving stages of an approximately 18 month construction phase. 5.3.2 Although stockpiles of crushed concrete, stone and brick generated during the demolition process would look out of place until the time they could be re-cycled during the construction phase, they would only be visible from a comparatively limited area. The presence of site cabins and storage containers themselves would represent an urban intrusion into the rural landscape. It is unknown where site cabins are likely to be located, but in the event that they are positioned off-site on neighbouring land to the west, perhaps on the site of the existing Twice Brewed Inn car park, then they would only really have any visual significance in views from the B6318 road corridor when travelling west and from East Bog farm in its elevated location to the north. 5.3.3 Increased levels of illumination are expected to an extent during hours of darkness when the construction site is operational or when site cabins are occupied and the significance of any adverse effects are likely to be low to moderate given their limited duration and would only be visible from a restricted area. 5.3.4 During the construction process, signage and site security fencing would be required, the visual effects of which would be difficult to mitigate. The temporary urbanisation of the landscape character of the site would be a temporary adverse landscape and visual effect of low to moderate significance when experienced closer up. 5.3.5 It is expected that the receptors most affected by the adverse effects would be the few residents around the hamlet of Twice Brewed who live close to the site or who are located in elevated positions overlooking the site from the south. Another group of receptors who are likely to be particularly sensitive to noise are those using the recreational routes on the Whin Sill ridge and for whom noises generated by the construction process could be carried northwards on the prevailing wind, resulting in a transient but moderately - substantially adverse effect on their experience and enjoyment of a landscape otherwise valued for its tranquillity and escapism. 5.4 Effects after completion Effects on individual landscape receptors within the site 5.4.1 The following sections consider the anticipated effects on the main physical elements that constitute landscape receptors within the site. Existing buildings: 5.4.2 These have been identified as being of low value and are considered to be of low susceptibility to change and therefore to be of low sensitivity. Their demolition represents a magnitude of change which is assessed as being beneficial to a moderate – substantial degree resulting in an effect of moderate beneficial significance. The Vallum: 5.4.3 As a landscape feature which is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it is of high – exceptional value and potentially highly susceptible to change as a result of new built development, making it a ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 25 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 landscape receptor of high sensitivity. The removal of the existing youth hostel building along its southern boundary and the creation of new open space between the new buildings and the SAM boundary would improve the setting of the Vallum. In addition, the proposed initial tree removal on the mound itself would enhance its legibility in the landscape. This represents a magnitude of change which is moderately beneficial. This is likely to increase to a magnitude of substantially beneficial in the longer term as a sensitive vegetation management plan sees the gradual removal of the great majority of the existing tree cover on the Vallum. Consequently, the significance of the effect of the proposed development on the Vallum within the site is assessed as being moderately beneficial, increasing to substantially beneficial over the 20-40 year period after construction of the new facilities on site. 5.4.4 Footpath works proposed for within the copse on the opposite side of the Military Road .would have no significant impact on the visual character of this part of the SAM. Tree cover: 5.4.5 The tree cover on site has been assessed as being of low to moderate value for the reasons set out section 5.2. It is a resource which can be recreated easily enough, but it is acknowledged that new planting may take slightly longer to reach the levels of maturity currently present on site compared to the majority of development sites due to the exposed nature of the location and more harsh growing conditions. Consequently it is considered to be of moderate susceptibility to change and of low to moderate sensitivity overall. 5.4.6 Despite the generally poor quality of much of the tree cover, its value lies largely in its screening function and the resulting contribution it makes to the character of the local landscape. As much of the most significant tree cover in this regard is to be retained, the magnitude of change as a result of the proposed development is expected to be low adverse. The overall significance of the effect on tree cover across the site is therefore assessed as being low to moderately adverse. 5.4.7 However, as the proposed new native structure planting establishes and makes visual connections with existing mature tree groups on this and adjacent sites, the effect on this landscape receptor is expected to become of low beneficial significance. Boundary dry stone walls: 5.4.8 Of moderate landscape value, the boundary walls within the site are moderately susceptible to the redevelopment of the site on this scale and are therefore of moderate sensitivity. 5.4.9 Most of the existing walls are to be retained or extended and, where removed, replaced with new walls on slightly different alignments. The new boundary wall construction would match the visual character of the existing walls. In places they would be higher and incorporate pedestrian access gates, perhaps giving the boundary feature a slightly more domestic rather than agricultural character. 5.4.10 On balance, the expected magnitude of change to this landscape receptor is negligible to low adverse, giving an effect of negligible to low adverse significance. Southern field: 5.4.11 The field to the south of the existing NNPA car park on site is considered to vary in landscape value from moderate to high largely as the result of the subtle change in landscape character between the upper and central part of the field and the more enclosed lower section in the bottom of the Brackies Burn valley. Given the simple nature of this landscape receptor it is highly susceptible to change as a result of new build development making it generally highly sensitivity overall. 5.4.12 For the lower section of the field, the introduction of a camera on the southern boundary as part of the system for administering parking charges and a footpath connecting the proposed overflow car park / events area with the main building, represents a low adverse magnitude of change. The proposed system for providing additional strength to the existing grass sward would have a negligible effect on the visual character of this part of the field. 5.4.13 However, in the central and upper sections a greater magnitude of adverse change is anticipated. A significant proportion of the grass sward would be replaced with hard standing for the vehicular access road and parking bays, although the latter would be formed in reinforced gravel so as to generate a more natural colour and visual texture. Parked vehicles and features associated with the proposed play area would add three dimensional elements currently lacking in the field, although it should be noted that the existing timber poles carrying the overhead power line down the length of the field would be removed as a ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 26 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 result of the development project. In addition, the movement of vehicles within the area of the car park would be very different from that of the sheep which occasionally graze the field. Consequently, the magnitude of change for the central and upper part of the field is expected to be moderate to substantially adverse. 5.4.14 As a result, whereas the significance of effect on the lower section of the field is assessed as being minor adverse, the effects on parts of the more elevated sections are likely to be of moderate to substantial adverse significance within a very local context. 5.4.15 Obviously the proposed new planting which forms part of the mitigation strategy for this landscape effect would take time to establish and fulfil its role as a visual barrier and filter to areas of hardstanding and vehicles on site. Based on apparent growth rates for existing mass planting on site, it is anticipated that the significance of the adverse effect would be reduced to ‘moderate’ within ten years, and to ‘low’ within twenty years. Effects on landscape character 5.4.16 Having considered the effects on individual landscape receptors on the site, the cumulative effects need to be examined alongside other anticipated impacts such as new building construction and potential changes to the way the site is used in order to assess the overall effect on the perceived landscape character of the site and the contribution it makes to the broader landscape. The interrelationship between these elements is complex and in line with good practice it is proposed that the assessment process should focus on what are expected to be the most significant effects on the key aspects of the baseline landscape character. 5.4.17 In Section 3 of this report, the review of planning and management policies relating to the landscape of the Northumberland National Park and of the local area around the Once Brewed site provided an overview of the characteristics of the landscape which are considered to be of most value and therefore most worthy of protection. It is suggested that the key aspects of greatest significance can be summarised as being: - the sense of tranquillity; - distinctive local character; - dark skies and the night time landscape. 5.4.18 In all instances, when assessed in these terms, the landscape around the proposed development site is judged to be of high value, increasing to exceptionally high with regard to distinctive local character. 5.4.19 In the context of the above, the landscape’s susceptibility to the potential changes associated with the construction of a new building on the existing site is considered to be moderate due to the scale of the landscape and the visual character of the facilities already on site. In terms of establishing landscape sensitivity, this is assessed as being moderate - high in all instances. 5.4.20 Due to the complexity of establishing the anticipated magnitude of change resulting from the many facets of the development on the key aspects of landscape character, it is proposed that critical aspects of the development project should be assessed individually. A judgement can then be made on the composite magnitude of change. 5.4.21 Using the Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document within the NNP’s Local Development Framework as a reference, the main aspects of the development selected for assessment are: scale – (building and external works), rhythm, materials – (colour, texture, reflection), signage, function, lighting, movement and noise. Each one is considered in turn, although some are inevitably interconnected. Scale: 5.4.22 Building - the footprint of the new building (2,157m2) is greater than the combined footprints of the existing buildings (957m2) and it would reach two storeys in height (8m) at its eastern end where currently the visitor centre is only one storey. At its western end the accommodation block to the youth hostel is also two storeys but this part of the structure drops half a floor in relation to the main new building utilising the sloping site to best advantage. Similarly, in the north east corner, the ground floor exhibition space is cut into existing ground level by c.1m. 5.4.23 The observer’s perception of scale is influenced to a degree by levels of visual screening, built form and construction materials (see below). In this instance, much of the tree cover on the site boundaries is to be retained, however the tree group currently screening the YHA building on its southern aspect would be lost. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 27 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 5.4.24 Although larger in size, the designed form of the new building is a more sensitive response to the site topography, rising out of the ground in part at its eastern end with a split level roof which breaks up the visual mass of the building. The proposed use of natural materials such as whin stone, sandstone and timber cladding would help reduce the apparent size of the building, allowing it to blend into the surrounding soft landscaping as is the case with the existing structure. Significantly more glazing is proposed in the new structure than currently exists and this can help reduce the perception of visual mass by reflecting surrounding colours and textures. Magnitude of change in relation to size of building = low to moderate adverse. 5.4.25 External works - an increase in the area of car parking is proposed. The existing site has capacity for c. 77 no. vehicles whereas the new permanent car park facility would accommodate c. 90 vehicles including 3 coaches. The majority of these would be located in a field currently used for pasture to the south of the existing site, resulting in the permanent replacement of soft landscaping with hard standing and static vehicles. The magnitude of change in relation to the scale of the external layout for the upper sections of the field is moderate to substantial adverse but is experienced from a comparatively restricted area locally. In addition, when considering the change in size or extent of car parking, changes in distribution of the areas of parking are also important. The new development would see the removal of parking on one of the most visually prominent parts of the site (that being the north east corner – visible from the WHS and the Military Road corridor) with the area being given over to soft landscaping. This would bring a beneficial change of low magnitude. A further c.90 overflow parking spaces are proposed for the more level lower area at the southern end of the field but as this would be only occasional and is reversible, the net level of change for this more sensitive part of the site is assessed as being negligible. Rhythm: 5.4.26 The form of the new building’s green roofline is intended to flow out of the landscape and the elevational treatments, on the north side in particular, are designed to reflect the rhythm of the Whin Sill escarpment itself. The pattern of level changes in the built form mimics that of the local cuesta landscape as do the lines and terraces in the external layout. This contrasts favourably with the regular geometric patterns of the existing site features and layout. Magnitude of change in relation to rhythm of built structures and external layout = substantial beneficial. Materials: 5.4.27 Colour – in terms of surface finishes to the new main building, colours would generally be the natural and muted warm / dark / silver greys and browns associated with whinstone, sandstone and timber. These softer colours would extend out into the external surface finishes through the use of natural aggregates and stone flags. Although parking areas would be formed in natural aggregates, main vehicular circulation routes would be formed in black tarmac – as is the case in the existing car park on site. Extensive areas of glazing would generally reflect colours in the surrounding external landscaping. With regard to the colour of materials used for miscellaneous items within external circulation spaces, it is anticipated that a considered and coordinated approach to specification on the new project would generate a more subtle palate of colours than currently exists. There would be a very strong emphasis on the use of appropriate native tree, shrub, herbaceous and grass species throughout the site and it is anticipated that colours of the soft landscaping would blend successfully with the wider landscape. The effects of the colour of the whin vegetation proposed for the green roof are difficult to assess given that the recreation of such specialist and unique plant communities in a green roof location is untested and colonisation / success rates are unknown. However, it is expected that the colour of the vegetation that does establish, although having a resonance with grassland in the wider local landscape, will differ from that of the grazed fields adjacent to the site – particularly as the harsher micro climate of the green roof may result in the rooftop vegetation responding earlier to seasonal changes than the plant communities in the neighbouring fields. In the light of the above, the magnitude of change in relation to the colour of materials for built structures would be expected to be low beneficial. However, when considered together with the introduction of cars into the green field to the south of the existing site, (which is off-set to a degree by the beneficial effect of the proposal to remove vehicles from the northern site boundary) the magnitude of change shifts to being one of moderate adverse. 5.4.28 Texture – the issues are very much the same as those set out above for the colour of materials used on the development, the main exception being that of the proposed glazing. Although large glazed panels do occur on the existing buildings, the proposed glazed southern elevation at the main entrance, the glazed first floor café and the glazed atrium are designed to feature as key elements of the fabric of the building. Long sections of glass present a visual texture which is very contemporary in character and its use in this manner represents a departure from the scale to which it is characteristically used in buildings elsewhere within the local landscape. Consequently, the magnitude of change in relation to the visual texture of ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 28 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 materials used on site is assessed as being low - moderate adverse. However, see section on ‘function’ below. 5.4.29 Reflection – the issue of light reflection off glazed surfaces within the building and off the metallic surfaces of vehicles is significant given the proposed increase in both these elements within the development proposals. The glare resulting from sunlight reflecting off such surfaces may be only transient but when seen in the context of a landscape which is generally regarded as being free from overt signs of significant human intrusion, the experience is readily interpreted as an indicator of the presence of man-made objects in the landscape. A computer generated sun path model has confirmed that the large area of glazing to the café which faces north east towards the Whin Sill and Hadrian’s Wall WHS will not experience direct sunlight and would not therefore result in reflected light being visible from elevated view points to the north. 5.4.30 The glazed south facing elevation is shielded by a canopy of photovoltaic panels that projects 3m from the building and which would therefore screen the windows from direct sunlight. The panels themselves are positioned at an angle that would not result in visible solar glare and which gives them a very low visual profile when seen in views form the south. However, the south and south east facing glazing to the atrium could result in reflected light being seen from points within a restricted area on the south side of the Brackies Burn and Bradley Burn valleys, although this would be occasional and obviously of a transient nature. The same applies to the reflection of light off the metallic surfaces and windscreens of parked / moving cars within the proposed south facing car park. It is also worth noting here that light reflection is not uncommon within the broader landscape depending on weather conditions and time of year. The glare of reflected strong sunlight can be seen across the landscape from multiple sources such as standing water in fields and on roads and from wet black plastic bale wrap. Magnitude of change in relation to increase in reflective surfaces = low adverse. Signage: 5.4.31 Badly located or poorly coordinated signage can lead to the urbanisation of the landscape. As well as signage proposed for the area within the site, where required, effects relating to the introduction of new signage within the public highways on the approach to the new facilities needs to be taken into account. 5.4.32 Existing signage within the site, although uncoordinated, does not appear to have a significant adverse effect on landscape character. New signage for the Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel would be kept to a minimum and would be coordinated in terms of form, style and materials. A main site marker for the project could be the subject of an artist’s commission and as such no design proposals are available for assessment. However, it is anticipated that part of any design brief would be the requirement that any installation must represent a creative response to the character of the local landscape. 5.4.33 The presence of signage and interpretation along the Military Road is identified as being characteristic of the landscape of the area in the Landscape Character Assessment of Tynedale District and Northumberland National Park (see section 5.3). Existing bus stop signs located in the highway verge either side of the road leading into the site would be removed as part of the project (buses would pick-up / drop-off within the site) bringing some beneficial effect. 5.4.34 A comprehensive review of the existing road signage and the need to replace damaged signs and the size and positioning of signs has yet to be carried out. This process may become linked to the possible introduction of a 40mph speed restriction along the Military Road at Twice Brewed. However, given the level of signage already in place, it is anticipated that the magnitude of change in relation to signage would be negligible. Function: 5.4.35 The ‘Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document’ reviewed in section 3.3 above observes that within the National Park, form and hierarchy is evident in individual buildings and that this has traditionally been dictated by function and intended status. It is the case that public knowledge about the function or role of a building will influence how its presence in the landscape is interpreted. In the case of The Sill project, the scale and form of the building and use of contemporary sustainable construction techniques may be regarded more favourably in the knowledge that the building represents a public gateway to the National Park and acts, quite literally as a window to the riches of its landscapes, than if it were a private commercial venture or domestic residence. The Landscape Discovery Centre would be one of the primary visitor destinations in the National Park and possibly the region. The principle that this status should be reflected in its appearance and presence in the landscape is one which has been long established in this ancient landscape. Magnitude of change in relation to the visual interpretation of the intended function of the building = substantially beneficial. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 29 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Lighting: 5.4.36 There are three main aspects relating specifically to the issue of lighting in relation to the landscape and visual effects of the development proposal: Light spill from internal light sources – the existing YHA facility is operational 24hrs a day but between the end of October and the end of March, the NNPA visitor centre closes during the week and is only open between 10am – 3pm at weekends during this period. The new YHA would operate on the same basis as the existing, but the new Landscape Discovery Centre is expected to operate all year round and to provide a venue for evening activities. Whereas the glazing to the proposed first floor café would have black-out blinds, the glazed atrium, the glazed sky light to the YHA accommodation block and the floor to ceiling glazing at the main entrance which provides access to the YHA part of the building and so would be operational 24hrs a day, would not have any screening. Consequently, there is higher potential for light spill to occur at these points. Such light spillage would most likely present itself as a soft glow along the length of these glazed features at a scale and form which would be uncharacteristic of existing patterns of night time illumination in the locality. There is some internal glow within the existing youth hostel but it is generally screened from public view by planting. Without any mitigation measures in place, the expected magnitude of change in relation to light spillage from the building would be moderately adverse, the change being greatest when observed from the south. However, it is expected that internal light fittings in the public circulation space in these areas would prevent any light spillage beyond the horizontal and would comply with the design guidance set out in the Lighting Management Plan. Together with the impact of screen planting as it matures, the magnitude of change would be revised to low – moderate adverse after approximately 10years, and low – negligible after 20 years. 5.4.37 Light spill from external lighting – in section 4.4 it was noted that wall mounted external lighting on the existing buildings are not covered and the main effect of this is experienced in views from the north where the regular spacing of external light units gives the impression of there being a large commercial scale building present in the night landscape. Consequently, their removal would be a change of low beneficial magnitude. All external lighting associated with the new development would be covered to prevent light spill beyond the horizontal and light sources would be orientated so as to face away from primary public view points beyond the site boundary. On the new development proposal, the element most likely to generate adverse effects would be the lighting required for the car park areas and for the pedestrian routes linking the upper, lower and overflow parking area with the main building. Light sources would be present in views from the south where there currently are none and there is the potential for lighting to the footpath route to read as a regular linear feature which is out of keeping with the general distribution pattern of infrequent and scattered light sources across the night landscape. Without mitigation, this would generate a magnitude of change which was moderate - substantially adverse over a limited local area. Again however, it is expected that the design of the external lighting would comply with guidance in the Lighting Management Plan. Lighting to the footpath in particular could be movement activated so that its presence is only temporary and it could be switched off after a certain time in the evenings. On this basis, the potential magnitude of change is assessed as being low - moderately adverse. 5.4.38 The visual impact of illumination from car headlamps – although transitory in nature, the moving glare from car headlamps draws the eye in an otherwise tranquil night time landscape and is visible from a significant distance. The existing car parking for the YHA is on the northern boundary of the site where night time vehicular movement is a feature of the Military Road corridor. The NNPA car parking where vehicles are generally off site by 4pm in winter months is located on the more peaceful southern side of the building. In contrast, the new development would see all vehicle parking provided on the south facing valley slope. The increase in both the likely duration of periods of night time vehicle movement and the actual number of movements would represent a substantial adverse magnitude of change with regard to the effects of illumination from car headlamps when seen from limited areas within the lower parts of the Brackies Burn valley, but would reduce in significance as one moved up the valley slopes (see schedule 1 – PM5). Movement: 5.4.39 The movement of objects within a landscape can influence the perceived levels of peacefulness and tranquillity ascribed to its character. It is expected that the new site facilities could attract 80,000 visitors a year – with the potential for this to increase to 100,000 within a three year period from opening and perhaps up to 120,000 over a longer period. Although current visitor numbers are at a level of c. 45,000 a year, in the 1990’s they stood at around 100,000, dropping to c. 70,000 by 2005-6. Consequently, the target visitor numbers for the new facility do not represent a significant departure from the numbers of visitors accommodated on the site within the last 20 years. The two main factors associated with higher visitor numbers to the new building are the increase in vehicle movements and the heightened visibility of people accessing the café terrace and green roof. The effect associated with static parked cars is considered under the heading of ‘materials’ above. The effects relating specifically to moving cars are considered to be secondary but would still be adverse when occurring an a part of the site which is predominantly static in character – apart from when sheep are present in the field. In a landscape where ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 30 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 thousands of visitors walk along visually prominent sections of the line of Hadrian’s Wall and along the minor roads adjacent to the Once Brewed site, the presence of visitors to the site walking up the ramped green roof does not represent an adverse change and could even be considered as another feature of interest on the B6318 route. Consequently the magnitude of change relating to issues of increased movement on the site is assessed as being low adverse. Noise: 5.4.40 Given the presence of the B6318 road corridor immediately to the north of the site and the lack of permanent neighbouring receptors who might be affected by any moderate increase in noise as a result of increased visitor numbers and external events, the magnitude of change in the landscape character relating to increased noise levels is considered to be negligible adverse. 5.4.41 In section 4.2 of this report it was noted that any effects which are assessed as being moderately or substantially adverse should influence the mitigation strategy for the proposed development. Consequently, it is worth looking in more detail at the elements that are believed to generate the most significant magnitudes of adverse change in landscape character – namely: scale of external works; colour of materials, and lighting. In all instances the critical issues relate to the impact of extending car parking into the southern field where the resulting effects have been assessed on the basis of the condition of the site at the time of completion of the construction works. Obviously, the proposed screen planting within the car park areas and particularly along the southern edge will have a significant mitigating effect given time in terms of the screening / filtering of views of parked cars and associated external lighting. Consequently, it is assessed that after ten years growth, effects judged to be moderately adverse will be mitigated to low adverse, diminishing to negligible adverse after 20 years when the planting should be approaching a height comparable to existing tree groups. Effects on visual receptors – overview 5.4.42 The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) for the site containing an 8m high structure (see Figure 4) is only marginally larger than that based on ground level. In the wider landscape it is more extensive in the area to the south of Beltingham and the area north of Whitfield and includes new areas of moorland west of Whitfield and at Blenkinson Common south of Greenfield. Nearer the site (see Figure 6) it is slightly more extensive in the area around Thorngrafton Common, on the southern slopes of Hotbank Crags and south of Sycamore Gap. However, given the nature of the terrain affected, this increase in the ZVT is not considered significant. 5.4.43 For those resident in the cluster of properties making up the hamlet of Twice Brewed, the new building on the Once Brewed site would be hidden by the tree cover around the boundary of the site or by existing buildings. A view of the southern field containing vehicles in the new car park would be possible from a short section of road east of Winshields Farm campsite but would be of low significance in the view. In terms of night time views, the potential effect on residential visual receptors located on the south side of the Brackies Burn valley, from where the impact of lighting is likely to be greatest, is assessed in relation to viewpoint PM 5 in Schedule 1 below. 5.4.44 In the broader landscape within the ZTV, one of the areas potentially most sensitive to increased night time illumination is the higher ground south east of Langley on the basis that this is probably the most readily accessed part of the AONB within the ZTV which gives long distance vistas that include the Once Brewed site. From the viewpoint VP6 (see Figure 4) on the B6305, uncovered light sources associated with the new facilities could potentially be visible. A softer glow arising from light spillage from hidden light sources such as might occur along the line of the glazed atrium, would be much less legible at this distance. However, any lighting would be seen in the context of a night time view which already features bright lights on the horizon to the west of Once Brewed; moving lights on the A69 (and to a lesser extent on the B6318); small clusters of lights generally across the landscape (including Bardon Mill, Humshaugh), and a larger cluster at Haltwhistle. Consequently, the significance of any additional external lighting on views from the North Pennines AONB is assessed as being negligible. Effects on selected representative visual receptors 5.4.46 The nature of more direct views of the site from within the wider local area is assessed using the selected viewpoints identified in Figure 6. These have been picked on the basis of selecting what are considered to be the most sensitive visual receptors whether they are private properties, public recreational routes or landscape viewpoints of aesthetic, cultural or heritage significance and the selection has been make in consultation with the National Park planning authority. To assist the assessment process, photographs taken from those visual receptors thought to be of highest value have been used to generate photomontages of the proposed development (PM nos. 1-8). Photographs with the development site identified have been used for the remaining viewpoints (VP nos. 1-5). ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 31 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Schedule 1: Selected viewpoints for assessment of visual effects. (To be read in conjunction with Figures 11-20.) Ref. Visual Receptor with OS grid ref. Distance from site Assessment of visual effect Mitigation PM1 Winshields Crags (Hadrian’s Wall Path and Pennine Way) 374211, 567564 1.2km Receptor sensitivity: WHS and national recreational route. High Magnitude of change: Extensive views south to the North Pennines AONB are possible from the most elevated point on the Whin Sill ridge. The site is visible in the middle distance. The YHA accommodation block is visible in part above peripheral tree cover but the scale not dissimilar to the neighbouring Twice Brewed Inn which is much more prominent in the view. Negligible. Significance of effects: Negligible. None required. PM2 Peel Crags (Hadrian’s Wall Path and Pennine Way) 375390, 567540 650m Receptor sensitivity: WHS and national recreational route. High Magnitude of change: Views south to the North Pennines AONB are possible over the southern ridge of the Brackies Burn Valley. The site is visible in the middle distance. The eastern end of the glazed café is prominent but much of the remainder of the new building is heavily filtered by retained tree cover along the Vallum. The contemporary materials of the visible structure have no strong colours to draw the eye, unlike the Twice Brewed Inn which contrasts strongly with the muted natural colours of the surrounding landscape and which is comparable in scale with the visible sections of the proposed new structure. Vehicles currently visible at the north east corner of the site when present, would be removed from the view. The property of Seatsides is also prominent in the view on top of the ridge just below the skyline. Negligible - Low adverse. Significance of effects: Low adverse. None required. PM3 Military Road corridor to the west (nr. Twice Brewed Inn) 375110, 566900 100m Receptor sensitivity: This road is the main route for tourists passing through this valued landscape but views of the site are transitory. The eye of travellers is likely to be drawn to prominent views of Peel Crag to the north. Moderate Magnitude of change: Like the existing YHA building, the new facility would be largely screened by existing boundary tree cover. A short section of the YHA accommodation block would be visible in views across the eastern end of the Twice Brewed Inn car park. Negligible. Significance of effects: Negligible. None required. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 32 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Ref. Visual Receptor with OS grid ref. Distance from site Assessment of visual effect Mitigation PM4 Military Road corridor to the east (near junction) 375470, 566986 150m Receptor sensitivity: This road is the main route for tourists passing through this valued landscape and views of the site are less transitory when heading west. For many visitors travelling for leisure purposes, the new building may represent their destination point. Moderate - high Magnitude of change: Screened in part on the approach by the boundary wall on the south side of the road for those travelling by car, once visible the building would draw the eye, the glazing and steelwork of the green roof balustrade representing a very contemporary structure. Colours however would be neutral with the possibility of some late afternoon sun reflecting off the café’s south facing windows. The lower section of the sloping green roof breaks up the visual mass of the building. The vertical support of the café canopy and vertical balustrade posts are characteristic of other vertical elements such as fence posts, telegraph poles and exposed tree trunks. The bat roost structure in the YHA garden in the north west corner of the site would be screened to a significant degree by a retained oak tree near the corner of the café terrace. Low adverse. Significance of effects: Low - moderate adverse. Specimen tree planting proposed on the eastern boundary of the site would further break up the visual mass of the building and the amount of glazing which can be seen, reducing the significance of the visual effect over time to Low adverse. PM5 Seatsides residential property and PROW 374933,566131 520m Receptor sensitivity: Private residence and minor recreational route but with clear views of the Whin Sill Ridge and the WHS. High Magnitude of change: The new building sits below the skyline but close to the landform of Peel Crag which draws the eye. Much of the new building is visible at this angle of view and would appear as the largest built structure in the local landscape. Although cars in the existing NNPA car park are visible in the current view, the new car parking would be more extensive and coaches parked against the back drop of existing woodland would be visible. The play area would also be seen. As the viewpoint is higher than the new development, it is unlikely that there would be a significant issue relating to sunlight reflecting off the south facing atrium glazing but visual receptors could experience temporary sun glare off vehicles at times. Seatsides is likely to be the private property most affected by the impact of external lighting. However, from this vantage point two bright light sources can be seen on the existing site and lighting from neighbouring properties (Vallum Lodge, East Bog, Twice Brewed Inn, Smith’s Field) is also visible. In addition, car headlamps can clearly be seen moving along the Military Road along much of the section from Hotbank Crags to a point past Winshield Farm camp site. Seen in this context, the introduction of vehicle lights into the southern field is less significant than might be first anticipated. Low – Moderate adverse. Significance of effects: Moderate adverse. As it matures, the structure planting proposed within the car park and along its southern and western edges would reduce the significance of this adverse effect to Negligible – Low by eventually screening the car park and providing a heavy filter to views of the building. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 33 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Ref. Visual Receptor with OS grid ref. Distance from site Assessment of visual effect Mitigation PM6 ‘Long Stone’ view point, minor road and PROW, Thorngrafton Common 377851, 566414 2.58km Receptor sensitivity: This viewpoint represents views gained from a minor road and recreational route but which include views down on to the site of Vindolanda. Moderate - High Magnitude of change: The Once Brewed site is visible in the same direction of view as both the Roman heritage site of Vindolanda and Winshields Crag, but any new building would be barely noticeable when seen from this distance, especially when other buildings such as farmsteads are clearly visible as a feature of the local landscape. Negligible. Significance of effects: Negligible. None required. PM7 ‘Springwell Cottage’, National Trust holiday cottage 375280, 567068 130m Receptor sensitivity: Holiday cottage owned by National Trust. No permanent residents but occupiers likely to be staying for the purpose of recreational engagement with the landscape., although property looks out towards B6318 road corridor. Moderate Magnitude of change: Principle view from front of property is south to Military Road which virtually forms the skyline, with no significant distant horizon the draw the eye. Roof of existing NNPA visitor centre is visible above old earthworks on the foreground but is visually indistinct. The eastern end of the new building with its glazed café would be higher and materials more contemporary in appearance. People on the café terrace and the green roof observation point above the café would be visible, introducing colour and movement into the view, with associated possible increased noise levels above the sound of any traffic movements. However, proposed events spaces between the building and the B6318 would be hidden from view. The western end of the YHA facilities would be visible as are the existing, but with slightly less filtering following selected tree removal on the Vallum. This is one view where the screening / filtering of the new building by tree cover would be significantly higher when deciduous trees are in leaf, than during winter months. Low- Moderate adverse. Significance of effects: Low - Moderate adverse. Longer term management of tree removal on the Vallum should be sensitive to the visual effects experienced by this visual receptor. New planting proposed for the space between the new building and the Vallum SAM to maintain light filtering of views of the new building, could be positioned to maximise the screening effect from this property. If necessary, there is scope to plant a hedge for screening purposes along the inner edge of the southern boundary wall to the cottage. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 34 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Ref. Visual Receptor with OS grid ref. Distance from site Assessment of visual effect Mitigation PM8 Henshaw to Once Brewed minor country road 375409, 566515 160m Receptor sensitivity: Main direction of approach to the Once Brewed facilities for tourists leaving the A69. Views from the road are transient with direct views into the southern field often filtered by roadside vegetation, but the site is seen in the context of the first open dramatic views of Peel Crag and the Whin Sill ridge line as travellers cross the local ridgeline and the NNP boundary and drop down into the Brackies Burn valley. Moderate - High Magnitude of change: The NNPA Landscape Discovery Centre would be hidden behind the existing woodland along the eastern site boundary but there would be direct open views of the YHA accommodation block. Whereas the proposed neutral facing materials of stone and timber for the visible part of the building would sit comfortably in the landscape, the colours and reflective nature of parked vehicles in the southern field would draw the eye. Although the far eastern corner of the café is likely to be seen projecting out from behind the semi-mature woodland block, parked vehicles such as cars, vans and minibuses which are currently visible when present in the YHA car park in the north eastern corner, would be removed from view. Other buildings such as the Twice Brewed Inn, West Twice Brewed and East Bog farm are also visible in the view, but the new building is greater in scale. The scale of the new parking area is significantly foreshortened in the view so that cars at the southern end of the car park would screen those further up the slope. Parked coaches would be seen, but against a woodland backdrop. Moderate adverse. Significance of effects: Moderate adverse. The visual effect on receptors at this viewpoint is based on the condition of the site at time of completion of the contracted works and so the effects of mitigating screen planting is not taken into account. It is anticipated that as the planting matures, after 10years the adverse significance of visual effects would be reduced to Low, reducing further to Negligible – Low after twenty years, when the new structure planting would blend seamlessly with the existing tree groups either side. VP1 Military Road corridor to the west of the Twice Brewed Inn 374872, 566838 320 Receptor sensitivity: This road is the main route for tourists passing through this valued landscape but near distance views tend to be transitory. The eye of travellers is likely to be drawn to prominent views of Peel Crag to the north. Moderate Magnitude of change: The northern part of the site is screened from view by existing buildings and vegetation cover. Although limited transient views of the upper section of the southern field are possible, even when containing parked cars, this is unlikely to draw the eye. Negligible. Significance of effects: Low – Negligible adverse. In time, screen planting would reduce this level of significance to Negligible. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 35 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Ref. Visual Receptor with OS grid ref. Distance from site) Assessment of visual effect Mitigation VP2 PROW nr. Melkridge Tilery Campsite 373400, 566040 1.95km Receptor sensitivity: A view from a minor recreational route but which provides open vistas north in which the profile and drama of the Whin Sill escarpment is particularly legible. Moderate - High Magnitude of change: The proposed new building would be hidden by existing tree cover in the locality but a limited view of the southern field is possible. Although indistinct in the broader landscape at present, this element of the site is more likely to catch the eye when containing parked cars (which may reflect strong sunlight at times) and the proposed play area. It is worth noting however, that vehicles moving on the B6318 are a regular feature in this view. Negligible – Low adverse. Significance of effects: Low adverse. Proposed native structure planting would reduce the significance of this effect to Negligible VP3 ‘Peel Bothy’, National Trust holiday cottage 375278, 567410 460m Receptor sensitivity: Holiday cottage owned by National Trust. No permanent residents but occupiers likely to be staying for the purpose of recreational engagement with the landscape. Moderate - High Magnitude of change: Principle views from the front of the property are southward across the Brackies Burn valley. From this elevated position, unlike Springwell Cottage, much more extensive views over the southern valley ridge to the North Pennines AONB beyond, are possible. The glazed north-east facing café is likely to be visible in the position where the current visitor centre is seen now. The YHA facility is likely to be less filtered in the view than the existing building due to proposed selective tree removal on the Vallum. The actual scale of the building would be broken up by the retained tree cover with the result that visible sections of the building would be in keeping with the scale of the neighbouring Twice Brewed Inn, but would blend more successfully into the visual texture of the landscape. In this view, other elements such as the North Pennine moors on the horizon and the property of Seatsides in its prominent location on top of the Brackies Burn valley ridge are also likely to register as focal points of interest. Negligible - Low adverse. Significance of effects: Low adverse. None required. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 36 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Ref. Visual Receptor with OS grid ref. Distance from site Assessment of visual effect Mitigation VP4 Milecastle 39nr ‘Sycamore Gap’, (Hadrian’s Wall Path and Pennine Way) 376150, 567717 1.05km Receptor sensitivity: WHS and national recreational route. Regional visitor destination of contemporary cultural significance. High Magnitude of change: The Once Brewed site features in the middle ground of vistas which extend a significant distance to the North Pennines – weather permitting. In this view southward, the landscape appears to be very simple and rolling and the Once Brewed site facilities would register with receptor as a focal point of interest, set within a clump of existing trees. The visible sections of new building would compare favourably in terms of scale compared with the neighbouring Twice Brewed Inn. Negligible. Significance of effects: Negligible. None required. VP5 Hotbank Crags, (Hadrian’s Wall Path and Pennine Way) 378045, 568616 3.3km Receptor sensitivity: WHS and national recreational route. High Magnitude of change: Site is only just discernable in long distance views gained from just below the Whin Sill ridge. From the ridge itself the site is hidden by an existing plantation. Negligible. Significance of effects: Negligible. None required. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 37 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 6 Mitigation Measures 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Mitigation of potential significant adverse effects can be addressed through the processes of prevention or avoidance (the preferred option); through reduction, or through compensation (generally considered to be the least favourable option). 6.1.2 This section of the LVIA explains how a review of potential landscape and visual effects has been a fundamental part of the broader iterative design process for The Sill project and that the mitigation of potential adverse effects has been considered from the earliest stages of the first site analysis and identification of site constraints and opportunities. As well as providing an overview to the design development of the project and identifying the main mitigation measures embedded in the final design scheme, it also reviews alternative design options for the car parking element which were rejected on the basis of landscape and visual considerations. It then considers mitigation proposals relating specifically to the potential construction and post-construction phases of the project. 6.1.3 The impact that the mitigation measures incorporated within the development proposal are expected to have on the potential significant adverse landscape and visual effects identified, is taken into account within the assessment process set out in section 5. 6.2 Design evolution 6.2.1. Right from the outset, the design brief for The Sill project has specified that the proposed new facilities on the Once Brewed site (ie. the Landscape Discovery Centre and new youth hostel) should be ‘of the landscape’ and a landscape architect has been part of the design team working closely with the project architect from the preliminary site analysis stage. Community consultation has also taken place throughout the design process and has informed the final development proposal. 6.2.2 The positioning of the proposed building and its alignment within the site has been influenced by a desire to respond positively to both the detailed site characteristics and the broader landscape character. The alignment of the building maximises the opportunity to bed the structure into the sloping topography, thereby minimising the visual effects of providing a two storey buildings on the site, while at the same time making the most of the visual connection with the dramatic views of Peel Crags to the north east. It also allows the green roof to merge with the existing ground levels in a seamless integration of landscape and building. The green roof itself is also intended to reduce the apparent visual mass of the proposed new built structure. 6.2.3 The positioning of the building avoids adverse physical impact on the Vallum Scheduled Ancient Monument and facilitates the retention of the majority of the key trees on the northern and western site boundaries and the visual screening / filtering function which they perform. Much of the proposed tree removal on the northern boundary is driven by a desire to improve the legibility and interpretation of the Vallum as a heritage asset and promote its preservation. 6.2.4 Similarly, to protect and enhance the setting of the Vallum, a decision was taken to remove any car parking or service / delivery area from the zone between the northern elevation of the building and the Scheduled Ancient Monument. 6.2.5 With regard to the layout of external spaces, the car parking for the new facilities has been located to the south of the building where it is screened from views gained from the Hadrian’s Wall and the World Heritage Site. Alternative locations for the car parking were considered during the design process prior to being discounted and these are reviewed in section 6.3 below. 6.2.6 The layout of the final car park design is intended to balance a requirement to deliver as many parking spaces close to the main building as possible with the desire to provide green infrastructure throughout the car park which would break up the visual mass of the associated hard landscaping and integrate it into the landscape. The result is a series of tiers to the parking provision which work with the existing contours. 6.2.7 The existing triangle of woodland on the eastern boundary is retained so as to make the most of its screening potential. Coach parking is located along its western edge so that these larger vehicles are positioned against a backdrop of mature tree cover. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 38 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 6.2.8 Where potential adverse effects cannot be avoided, in order to minimise the visual effects of proposed car parking within the open field to the south of the existing facilities on site, the southern edge of the parking has been set back from a break in slope which means that parked cars would be screened by the local landform in views up the field from the adjacent public highway as it crosses the Brackies Burn. It also means proposed screen planting can be positioned on subtle mounding along the southern edge of the parking area thereby maximising its screening impact. Where appropriate, hazel or willow hurdles would be used to act as a wind break to facilitate plant establishment and to provide an early screen to parked vehicles. 6.2.9 Throughout the external site layout, native tree and shrub planting has been designed in a manner that will allow it to integrate visually with existing planting beyond the site as it matures when seen in the broader landscape context in views from the south of the Brackies Burn. Similarly, plant species associated with the Whin Sill are proposed for the green roof (rather than commercially available sedum carpets) in order to create visual textures and colours more appropriate to the local landscape. 6.2.10 Proposed materials for the construction of the new building and of the external areas of hardstanding have been selected with a view to minimising adverse visual effects and reflecting existing landscape character. The proposed use of whinstone and sandstone as facing material for the building makes reference to locally available building materials and where practical, external hard surfaces would be formed or surface dressed with granular materials such as gravel or whinstone aggregate. 6.2.11 Where the loss of wildlife habitat in the form of tree and shrub cover or semi-improved grassland is unavoidable, it is intended that new habitats should be fully integrated with the fabric of the building and external structures as compensation. Although 25no. individual trees and 710m2 of native structure planting would be lost, c80no. new individual trees, 1,745m2 of native structure planting and 110 linear m of new hedging would be planted as part of the development. In time, it is proposed that the new development would enhance the biodiversity of the site. 6.2.12 With regard to lighting and the requirement to comply with the Dark Sky Park Lighting Management Plan, external lighting is to be kept to an absolute minimum. A detailed lighting scheme is not currently available but it is anticipated that it will follow the recommendations set out in both the LMP and the Lighting Impact Assessment prepared for the development. Movement activated lighting and cut-off / timing devices are likely to be employed as necessary together with the use of concealed sources of red light for external footpath links with the car parking area. 6.3 Alternative car park options 6.3.1 During the early stages of the design process, a number of options for delivering the appropriate number of parking spaces required were considered before being rejected. These are illustrated in Figure 10. 6.3.2 As an alternative to extending the proposed development footprint beyond the southern boundary of the existing site, options for using the adjacent field to the east of the site were examined. In the past, overflow parking for the existing NNPA facility has been accommodated on occasion in the northern part of the eastern field, but this was rejected as a more formal solution to accommodating increased parking numbers due to the potential adverse effect on views from the World Heritage Site and on known archaeological features. 6.3.3 The use of the lower sections of the same field as an additional or overflow car park where rejected for similar reasons. It also became apparent that the local highway authority was concerned about issues of highway safety with regard to any proposed new vehicle access / exit point to the field. In addition, the permanent use of such a large section of the field for car parking would have compromised the viability of the field for agricultural purposes. 6.4 During construction 6.4.1 Section 5.3 of this report identifies the potentially significant adverse landscape and visual effects that might be associated specifically with the construction phase of the proposed development. Measures to mitigate such effects are generally secondary measures in that they are not an integral part of the proposed development but relate more to the manner in which the construction process is carried out and to working methods or constraints identified within the building contract documentation. 6.4.2 The positioning of site cabins either within the site or on adjacent land should be carefully considered in order to minimise any associated adverse visual effects. This is likely to be most relevant to the construction phase rather than any demolition phase. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 39 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 6.4.3 The visual effects of the post demolition phase, when existing buildings have been levelled and stockpiles of crushed concrete and stone have been formed for reuse in the construction phase, would be minimised if the construction phase commenced immediately as part of the same contract. 6.4.4 Opportunities to store stripped soils on site in a manner that provides temporary screening to vehicle movement and construction operations should be maximised. 6.4.5 Working methods will be required to address the requirement to reduce external light emissions to the minimum necessary for safe working and restrictions on working hours during winter months may be employed. 6.4.6 The timing of vegetation removal would be restricted so as to avoid the bird nesting season and the building demolition phase would need to be carried out in strict accordance with the bat mitigation strategy forming part of the bat licence issued by English Nature. 6.4.7 Protective fencing compliant with BS 5837:2012 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction’ would be maintained throughout the construction phase to protect the root protection areas of trees to be retained. 6.5 After Completion 6.5.1 After completion of the construction phase there are certain elements relating to the management of the site which would be required to ensure the delivery of key components of the primary landscape and visual mitigation strategy. One of the most important of these would be the maintenance of the soft landscaping and, in particular, the screen planting to the car park areas. To ensure this is carried out in an appropriate manner, a comprehensive maintenance regime covering an appropriate establishment period for new native structure planting would form part of the soft landscape specification for the project. Issues relating to plant replacements, thinning and pruning operations to promote healthy growth rates and rapid establishment would be covered. 6.5.2 In a similar vein, a management plan for the green roof would be required to ensure that it is adequately maintained and that the necessary expertise is available to monitor and guide the maintenance process so that it responds appropriately to the various evolutionary stages of the plant communities evolving on it. It must also be capable of responding to any unforeseen events - particularly as the process of establishing whin vegetation in the form of a green roof is unique to The Sill project. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 40 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 7.0 Residual Effects 7.1 After Completion 7.1.1 In section 6 it was noted that the landscape effects assessed as being of moderate to substantial adverse significance at the time of completion of the works are the subject of a mitigation strategy based on reducing the adverse effects identified rather than preventing them. As the mitigation relies on the growth of soft landscape structure planting to perform a screening and filtering function, it would take time for the mitigating benefits to be apparent on site. Plant growth rates on this exposed site are expected to be slower than might be anticipated on most construction projects, but it is suggested that a significant reduction in the relevant adverse effects would be noticeable within 10 years, and continue to reduce for a further ten years after which point the adverse effect would be diminished to a point requiring no further mitigation. This being the case, it is considered that there are no permanent adverse effects of significance relating to landscape and visual effects anticipated for this project. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 41 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 8.0 Summary and Conclusions 8.1 Summary Scope of assessment and methodology 8.1.1 This report considers the anticipated landscape and visual effects arising from the construction of a proposed new Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel to replace the existing Northumberland National Park visitor centre and YHA hostel at Once Brewed. 8.1.2 The assessment methodology used in this report is based on the ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’ Third Edition:2013 (LI and IEMA). The level of significance given to identified landscape and visual effects (effects can be adverse or beneficial) depends on the combination of the sensitivity of the landscape element, / landscape character / view or observer, and the scale of the effects predicted. When defining the sensitivity of the existing landscape, one must consider the value attached to it. The criteria for making such judgements are set out in section 4 in order to make the assessment process as transparent as possible. 8.1.3 It should be noted that issues relating specifically to the potential effects of the proposed development on the historic landscape and the setting of sites of cultural heritage significance have been assessed by specialist landscape historians within the Cultural Heritage chapter of the Environmental Statement prepared for the project. Consequently, a detailed analysis of such effects has been excluded from this report. Existing policy 8.1.4 A brief review of existing planning policy and management strategy frameworks for the landscape in which the site is located concentrates mainly on the Northumberland National Park Management Plan and the Northumberland National Park Development Framework. These documents confirm just how special the landscape is around Once Brewed. It is a landscape with a distinct character and a much valued sense of tranquillity and contains a rich cultural heritage as well as being a landscape rich in biodiversity and geology. The designated Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and its associated Management Plan indicates the landscape being considered is of international value. In addition, the landscape around Once Brewed is part of a much larger area which has recently been awarded Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark Sky Association, making it the largest area of protected dark sky in Europe. As such any new project involving external lighting must comply with the Exterior Lighting Masterplan. The existing landscape 8.1.5 The landscape of the area covered by this report is dominated by the Whin Sill, a well known geological feature in the region, running from Upper Teesdale to the Farne Islands on the Northumberland coast. This high ridge of hard rock defines the northern skyline within much of the study area, the southern skyline being defined by another smaller ridge running parallel with the Whin Sill. This second ridge marks the southern boundary of the National Park. The road B6318 (known locally as the Military Road) follows the line of the landscape corridor formed by these two ridgelines and provides the main route from which to view the dramatic Whin Sill, Hadrian’s Wall and the simple landscape dominated by rough grazing in which settlement is sparse and tree cover is generally restricted to small clumps around isolated properties. The area is rich in Roman heritage sites and the line of the Roman Wall is also the route of two National Trails – the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way. Two National Cycle Routes connect the area of the development site with the Whin Sill, the local Roman site of Vindolanda and the A69. 8.1.6 The proposed development site itself is located on the south side of the Military Road which forms its northern boundary and extends southwards to the bottom of the Brackies Burn valley. The northern section of the site contains the Vallum Scheduled Ancient Monument but is dominated by the existing visitor centre and YHA building, both of which are of little architectural merit. The majority of trees on site are assessed in the site’s tree report as being in fair to poor condition. Their main value is in the screening they provide to the existing facilities on site. South of the existing buildings, a the upper sections of a sloping grazed field provide an attractive setting to views out across the Brackies Burn valley and the lower section is comparatively enclosed at the bottom of the valley, providing a sense of peace and intimacy not available elsewhere on the site. 8.1.7 As might be expected, in the night time landscape, sources of light are limited to isolated properties and car headlamps. Light sources from the buildings are generally hidden, the most noticeable impact resulting from uncovered external wall mounted lights on the northern side of the buildings. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 42 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 8.1.8 There is no doubt that the proposed development site is located within a highly valued landscape of international importance in terms of its cultural heritage and its dark skies. In addition, it is perceived as a ‘special place’ with a sense of tranquillity that brings with it a spiritual quality and as such, it is of national importance for the recreational opportunities it provides. Of the existing features on site, the main features of significance are the tree cover, the dry stone boundary walls, the field to the south and the Roman earthwork of the Vallum. Visual context of the existing site 8.1.9 Using electronic Orndnance Survey data, a map covering the area within a 15km radius of the Once Brewed site is used in Figure 4 to show the area from which the ground level of the existing site can be seen. This is only theoretically as the process by which the map is produced assumes there are no landscape features above ground level which could screen or interrupt the view from any given point. 8.1.10 Because the strong ridgelines in the local landscape contain views of the site to a large degree, on the north side of the River South Tyne and the A69 corridor, the area from which the site can be seen is restricted to a short section of the Military Road corridor (including the line of Hadrian’s Wall and the World Heritage Site) and a much smaller area on Thorngrafton Common just east of Vindolanda Roman fort. 8.1.11 In theory, views of the site are also possible from vantage points south of the River South Tyne, mainly from higher ground west of the River Allen and south of Haydon Bridge, most of which fall within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, fieldwork has shown that at these longer distances (5+km) the Once Brewed site is difficult to identify and has a low visual profile within the broader landscape. 8.1.12 The facilities at Once Brewed are most likely to be seen first when travelling on the Military Road. Because of the existing tree cover around the boundaries of the site to the north and the west which serves to screen the buildings on site, the direction of travel very much influences how much of the site can be seen. When travelling from the east, the existing visitor centre is visible but the YHA building is largely hidden. When travelling from the west, virtually all buildings on the site are screened until the observer is alongside the site. In views from the north (ie. the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, the Hadrian’s Wall and Pennine Way National Trails) although vehicles parked in the YHA car park at the north eastern corner of the site are visible, the buildings are well screened by existing trees on the Vallum and it is the neighbouring Twice Brewed Inn which draws the eye. When approaching the site from the south along a minor country lane, again the buildings are well screened by trees and it is the field to the south which can clearly be seen. 8.1.13 Most of the properties within the hamlet of Twice Brewed have no or very limited views of the site. Only three have direct views of the site from the north and two from the south. People in private residences and visitors engaged in recreational activities which focus on this valued landscape are considered to be highly sensitive to changes in the view. Description of the proposed development 8.1.14 A plan of the proposed Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel scheme is shown in Figure 7. and images of the building shown in Figure 8. 8.1.15 The design of the proposed building is inspired by the distinctive landforms of the landscape in which it is located. The north face of the building captures aspects of the north facing Whin Sill outcrop itself with the south facing side of the building being softer in form. The main features of the building (which is a maximum of two storeys) are a glazed café facing north east so as to make the most of dramatic views to Peel Crags on the Whin Sill escarpment and to the Roman Wall; a long YHA accommodation block on the west side, and a green roof which takes the form of a long ramp rising out of the ground at the north east corner and which doubles back on itself, eventually ending at a viewpoint above the café. The green roof is to support establishing plant communities associated with the harsh conditions of the Whin Sill outcrop. 8.1.16 The National Park Authority are keen that the new facility should be well integrated with the landscape. However, as the Landscape Discovery Centre is to function as a ‘gateway’ to the landscape of the National Park, it should still be distinctive, acting as a marker in the landscape. 8.1.17 In terms of the project’s external spaces, it is intended that they should blend with the existing rural landscape. On the northern boundary the largest trees would be kept but the poorest quality trees and shrubs would be removed from the Vallum making it easier to see. They would be replaced by new trees planted outside the protected archaeologically sensitive area. On the western boundary, most of the existing tree cover within the YHA garden would be retained as would the footpath link to the Twice Brewed Inn. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 43 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 8.1.18 On the east side of the site new dry stone walls would form the edge of the building and the existing YHA car park (which is currently in the most publicly visible parts of the site) would be removed. As a result there would be only one vehicle access point into the site and that would be in the position of the existing entrance into the National Park visitor centre car park. Near the south facing main entrance to the new building there would be an entrance courtyard, a cycle store and bin store built in dry stone walling with a green roof, and an outdoor classroom space. Just to the south of these spaces would be an upper car park which would lead past a new play area into a lower car park further down the field which is currently used for grazing sheep. The existing triangle of woodland on the eastern site boundary would be retained. 8.1.19 The field slopes down to the Brackies Burn and at the bottom of the valley it is proposed that the more enclosed flatter ground should be used as both an events space and an overflow car park. This would be done in a manner that allowed this attractive area to stay as a green field. 8.1.20 A new footpath would link all the car park levels to the main building and these paths would have low level lighting activated by movement in hours of darkness when necessary. All external lighting would be kept to a minimum and would be designed so as to prevent light pollution. 8.1.21 Outside the site boundary, on the north side of the Military Road opposite the Once Brewed site, a new path would be made through an existing group of trees surrounded by a wall in order to create a safer route from the site, over the road to the Whin Sill and Peel Crags. In addition, an existing field boundary wall would be lowered to improve sight lines at the existing road junction at the north east corner of the site. Anticipated landscape and visual effects 8.1.22 During the early phases of the construction process in particular, when the existing buildings are demolished and earthworks are carried out, the movement and noise of construction traffic would have a substantial adverse effect on the sense of tranquillity. Although seen directly without any screening from only a few viewpoints, the construction site would read as an urban feature out of keeping with the character of the local landscape. This would be temporary however, and the impact would generally reduce as the expected c. 18 month construction project progressed. 8.1.23 By the end of the building works, the removal of the existing poor quality buildings and the improvements to the setting of the Vallum would be beneficial landscape effects. The main adverse effect on the landscape within the site would relate to the creation of the new car park on the upper and central sections of the green field south of the existing visitor centre. This is largely due to the introduction of vehicles and man-made materials which are a strong contrast to the natural appearance of the field. Vehicles could also reflect glare from the sun in certain light conditions. The negative impact of this on the field would be moderately to substantially significant so the scheme includes screen planting within and around the car park which, once established would reduce the negative impact to low significance after 10 years. After 20 years the car park would be virtually completely hidden. 8.1.24 In considering the potential impact of the development project on the special character of this highly valued and sensitive landscape, the assessment looks at: the scale of the new building and external facilities; the form of the building; the materials proposed for both the building and the external spaces including the car park in terms of colour, texture and levels of reflection; signage; the function of the building as a potential primary visitor attraction in the region and the impact of the potential increase in the number of visitors to the site; lighting; movement, and noise. The main negative impacts all relate to the impact of extending car parking into the southern field. As noted , once the planting proposed around the car parking has grown enough to form a screen, this negative impact would be reduced to low levels after 10 years and low – negligible levels after 20 years. 8.1.25 The impact of the proposed development on the quality of views from within the surrounding landscape are assessed using selected representative viewpoints which have been agreed with the National Park planning authority. These viewpoints are identified in Figure 11 and include views from key points to the north along Hadrian’s Wall / the Pennine Way / Hadrian’s Wall Path, as well as views from the Military Road to the east and west, and from near / more distant viewpoints to the south on the south side of the Brackies Burn valley. Where views are considered to be particularly sensitive or significant, photomontages of the proposed development have been produced using computer generated images to show how the building would look in the landscape. These key viewpoints are identified by the reference ‘PM’. Other viewpoints labelled ‘VP’ are shown in a photograph with the location of the Once Brewed site marked. 8.1.26 The impact of the proposed development on the views identified can be summarised as follows: - The effect on views from within the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and from the two National Trails is assessed as being of negligible significance increasing to low adverse significance at the closest viewpoint (Peel Crags); ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 44 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 - From the Military Road corridor, the scheme would have negligible to low adverse impact when approaching from the west, increasing to low to moderate adverse impact when travelling from the east. The latter effect can be reduced to low adverse in time with the mitigation proposed. - From properties / public highway on the south side of the Brackies Burn valley the impact on the view would be of low to moderate adverse impact, reducing with time to negligible – low as screen planting established. From holiday rental properties to the north of the Military Road the negative impact would vary from low to moderate depending on distance from the site. - The impact of the scheme on views in which the site of Vindolanda is visible would be negligible. Mitigation measures 8.1.27 The main reason for the relatively limited adverse impact of the development proposal on the landscape and its views is that right from the first stages of the design process, the integration of the building and its associated car parking into the landscape has been a primary objective. This is reflected in the way the building and car parking is positioned on site and how it relates to the local landform. 8.1.28 In addition, the materials proposed for the building and the external hard landscape elements have been selected for their natural colours and textures and new planting would be carried out using species that grow naturally in the area. 8.1.29 Although the extension of car parking into the field to the south of the existing buildings is seen to have the potential to generate some of the most adverse impacts on the landscape and certain views in the area, on balance, the layout proposed is considered to be the best option available. Other layouts which explored the potential to provide parking in the field to the east of the site were considered and rejected on the basis that they were likely to have unacceptable levels of negative impact. 8.1.30 It is noted that appropriate management plans for the proposed planting and green roof vegetation must be put in place after the works on site are completed in order that these features can perform the roles intended in terms of screening and integrating the building into the landscape. The planting is required to reduce the few individual effects which have been identified as being of moderate to substantial adverse significance, to an appropriate level. A significant reduction in adverse impact would be seen within ten years with continued reduction occurring during the next ten year period. 8.2 Conclusion 8.2.1 The landscape of the Whin Sill escarpment is indeed a special landscape, prized for its unique landscape character, sense of tranquillity and for its dark skies. A series of policies and management plans have been put in place to protect these aspects and make them relevant to the lives of those who live and work in the area and more accessible to those visitors who wish to engage with the landscape in a manner which is completely sustainable. The fact that the new facility is designed specifically with the aim of delivering this broad objective and that, to an extent, the project represents a re-birth of the existing site facilities, is likely to have a positive influence on the way the building is perceived and interpreted in the landscape by those who visit it or view it without any direct engagement. 8.2.2 That the new building is to function as a ‘gateway’ to the National Park landscape means it is expected to have a presence worthy of the role and it is this ‘public’ profile which must be carefully balanced against the requirement to minimise adverse effects on the valued and sensitive landscape and visual character of both the site and the broader landscape of which it is a part. 8.2.3 The fundamental design concept behind the design of the building and the external works appears to have ‘built in’ a significant component of the mitigation strategy for the development which would assist in integrating it into the landscape to a significant degree. The ‘Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document’ within the National Park Local Development Framework notes that sustainable contemporary design is to be supported. The proposed building undoubtedly has contemporary themes but the design follows many of the recommendations, such as using locally available materials; not breaking the skyline; avoiding a suburbanising effect; use of native plant species etc. to help blend it into the local landscape. 8.2.4 There are three principle aspects of the Whin Sill landscape upon which a new building of size and character could potentially have an adverse effect: i) landscape elements within the site; ii) landscape character; iii) visual quality. 8.2.5 With regard to anticipated effects on the physical landscape elements within the site, both adverse and beneficial effects are recorded initially but with time, it is the adverse effects which diminish and the net beneficial effects which are strengthened. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 45 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 8.2.6 The effects of the project on landscape character have been reviewed in detail against various criteria and it is noted that generally, in instances where an effect of ‘moderate adverse’ significance is identified, it is in relation to the extension of the car park into the southern field. As above, this adverse effect is one which can readily be mitigated in time (effective within the first ten years) to a level of low and ultimately negligible significance. 8.2.7 Given the recent award of Dark Sky Park (gold tier) status to the area in question, the issue of potential adverse effects on the quality of the night sky and the night time landscape is of particular resonance. This report has found that the potential for greatest adverse impact occurs when the southern part of the site is experienced from the lower parts of the Brackies Burn valley which, by its very nature involves transient views experienced by comparatively few receptors. From more elevated positions, the potential for adverse impact diminishes and it is confirmed that anticipated impact on night time views of the broader landscape as experienced from within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would be negligible. In all instances, the soft landscaping proposed to address mitigation issues relating to the car park in particular, would successfully mitigate against adverse effects on landscape character relating to external lighting. 8.2.8 In terms of the effects of the development project on key views and the visual character of the area, it has been seen that beyond distances of 5km the anticipated change in the view would be negligible. From the viewpoints of international value gained from the line of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, the visual effects are assessed as being of low adverse significance at worst. 8.2.9 From viewpoints closer to the development site where an overall visual effect of moderate adverse significance is anticipated, it is seen that proposed mitigation measures in the form of appropriate planting would reduce this level of significance to ‘low – negligible’ over time. 8.2.10 Given that much of the secondary mitigation (ie. that which reduces effects rather than prevents them) is dependent on new structure planting, it is important to consider the overall effect of this planting itself and it is concluded that once mature, the belts of native tree and shrub planting proposed for the southern field in particular, would sit comfortably in the view, reading as natural extensions of existing blocks of tree planting either side of the field. 8.2.11 In summary, it is concluded that no enduring adverse landscape or visual effects of substantial or moderate significance are anticipated in association with the development proposal outlined in this report. ‘The Sill’ Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association. Page | 46 Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 THE SILL LANDSCAPE DISCOVERY CENTRE AND YOUTH HOSTEL LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: SCHEDULE OF FIGURES Figure 1 Site Context Plan Figure 2 Existing Site Plan Figure 3 Landscape Character Areas Figure 4 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (1:100,000 scale) Figure 5 Views towards site from Viewpoints VP 6 – 9 within the North Pennines AONB Figure 6 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (1:25,000 scale) Figure 7 Proposed Site Masterplan Figure 8 Proposed Architectural Details Figure 9 Proposed Tree Retention & Removal Plan Figure 10 Rejected Car Park Sketch Options Figures 11 – 18 Photomontage Viewpoints PM1 – PM8 Figures 19 – 20 Viewpoints VP 1-5 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 11. FIGURE 11. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM1 WINSHIELD CRAGS Photomontage Viewpoint PM1 - As Existing Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM1 - Proposed Proposed Building Twice Brewed Inn 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 12. FIGURE 12. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM2 PEEL CRAGS Photomontage Viewpoint PM2 - As Existing Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM2 - Proposed Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. Seatsides Twice Brewed Inn 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 13. FIGURE 13. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM3 MILITARY ROAD CORRIDOR TO THE WEST (nr. Twice Brewed Inn) Photomontage Viewpoint PM3 - As Existing Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM3 - Proposed Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 14. FIGURE 14. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM4 MILITARY ROAD TO THE EAST Photomontage Viewpoint PM4 - As Existing Photomontage Viewpoint PM4 - Proposed Proposed BuildingExisting Building Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 15. FIGURE 15. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM5 SEATSIDES RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY & PROW Photomontage Viewpoint PM5 - As Existing Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM5 - Proposed Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. Peel Crags 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 16. FIGURE 16. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM6 'LONG STONE' VIEWPOINT & PROW, THORNGRAFTON COMMON Photomontage Viewpoint PM6 - As Existing Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM6 - Proposed Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. Vindolanda Roman Fort 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 17. FIGURE 17. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM7 SPRINGWELL COTTAGE, NATIONAL TRUST HOLIDAY COTTAGE Photomontage Viewpoint PM7 - As Existing Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM7 - Proposed Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 18. FIGURE 18. PHOTOMONTAGE VIEWPOINT PM8 HENSHAW TO ONCE BREWED MINOR COUNTRY ROAD Photomontage Viewpoint PM8- As Existing Proposed Building Existing Building Photomontage Viewpoint PM8 - Proposed Proposed Building Photomontage scaled so that when held at arm's length, it reflects the size of the image of the development as it would appear in the field when seen with the naked eye. Twice Brewed Inn 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 19. FIGURE 19. PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINTS VP1-VP3 Photographic Viewpoint VP1 - Military Road corridor to the west of the Twice Brewed Inn (nr. Vallum Lodge Guest House) Photographic Viewpoint VP2 - PROW near Melkridge Tilery Campsite Photographic Viewpoint VP3 - Peel Bothy, National Trust holiday cottage Existing Building Existing Building Existing Building Southern Field 'The Sill' Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel, Once Brewed. Northumberland National Park Authority and The Youth Hostel Association Landscape and Visual Assessment Glen Kemp Ltd., January 2014 Figure 20. FIGURE 20. PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINTS VP4-VP5 Photographic Viewpoint VP4 - Milecastle 39 nr. Sycamore Gap (Hadrian's Wall Path and Pennine Way). NB: Site is not visible from Sycamore Gap itself. Photographic Viewpoint VP5 - Hotbank Crags (Hadrian's Wall Path and Pennine Way) Existing Building Existing Building APPENDIX G VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN, VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Village Specific Plan Visual Impact Assessment Prepared for: The City of Del Mar Planning and Community Development Department 1050 Camino del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 Prepared by: KTU+A Planning and Landscape Architecture 3916 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103 March 13, 2012 Revised July 5, 2012 Visual Impact Assessment Table of Contents VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | i Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................. 3 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................ 3 3.0 ASSESSMENT METHOD ................................................................................................. 5 4.0 VISUAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE PROJECT ................................................................. 5 4.1 Project Setting ....................................................................................................... 5 4.2 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................. 7 4.2.1 State Scenic Highway Program ................................................................. 7 4.2.2 California Coastal Act ................................................................................ 7 4.2.3 Del Mar Community Plan ........................................................................... 7 4.2.4 Scenic View Protection Ordinance ............................................................ 7 4.2.5 Tree Ordinance .......................................................................................... 8 4.2.6 Design Review ........................................................................................... 8 4.2.7 Historic Preservation Overlay Zone ........................................................... 9 4.2.8 Other Municipal Code Regulations ............................................................ 9 4.3 Visual Character Units ......................................................................................... 10 4.4 Project Viewshed and Views ............................................................................... 23 5.0 EXISTING VISUAL RESOURCES AND VIEWER RESPONSE ..................................... 36 5.1 Methods used for Visual Resource Analysis ....................................................... 36 5.2 Existing Visual Resources ................................................................................... 37 5.2.1 Scenic Resources .................................................................................... 37 5.2.2 Existing Visual Character ......................................................................... 41 5.2.3 Existing Visual Quality ............................................................................. 41 5.3 Methods of Predicting Viewer Response............................................................. 42 5.3.1 Existing Viewer Groups, Viewer Sensitivity, and Viewer Exposure ......... 42 6.0 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT .................................................................................. 45 6.1 Method of Assessing Impacts ............................................................................. 45 6.2 Definition of Visual Impact Levels........................................................................ 45 6.3 Analysis of Candidate Key Views ........................................................................ 45 6.4 Analysis of Key View Simulations........................................................................ 46 6.5 Impact Assessment Summary ............................................................................. 65 7.0 VISUAL MITIGATION ..................................................................................................... 67 7.1 Visual Mitigation Options ..................................................................................... 67 7.2 Visual Impacts After Mitigations .......................................................................... 68 8.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 71 List of Figures Figure 4-1: Project Location and Village Specific Plan Boundary ................................................. 6 Figure 4-2: Viewshed and Human Eyesight Dynamics ............................................................... 24 Figure 4-3: Determining Ocean Views from Slopes .................................................................... 26 Visual Impact Assessment Table of Contents VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | ii Figure 4-4: Viewshed Trendline with Existing Buildings along CDM .......................................... 27 Figure 4-5: Viewshed Trendline with Proposed Buildings along CDM ........................................ 28 Figure 4-6: Viewshed Trendline Net Difference .......................................................................... 29 Figure 4-7: Viewshed of Existing Buildings along CDM .............................................................. 30 Figure 4-8: Viewshed of the Proposed Buildings along Camino del Mar .................................... 31 Figure 4-9: Viewshed Net Difference of Building Heights ........................................................... 32 Figure 4-10: Ocean Viewsheds and View Corridors Along and Through Camino del Mar ......... 33 Figure 6-1: Key View Simulation “A” ........................................................................................... 47 Figure 6-2: Key View Simulation “B” ........................................................................................... 49 Figure 6-3: Key View Simulation “C” ........................................................................................... 51 Figure 6-4: Key View Simulation “D1” ......................................................................................... 53 Figure 6-5: Key View Simulation “D2” ......................................................................................... 55 Figure 6-6: Key View Simulation “E” ........................................................................................... 57 Figure 6-7: Key View Simulation “F1” ......................................................................................... 59 Figure 6-8: Key View Simulation “F2” ......................................................................................... 60 Figure 6-9: Key View Simulation “F3” ......................................................................................... 61 Figure 6-10: Key View Simulation “F4” ....................................................................................... 62 Figure 6-11: Key View Simulation “G” ......................................................................................... 64 List of Tables Table 5-1: Visual Quality Assessment of Character Units .......................................................... 41 Table 5-2: Summary of Viewer Groups ....................................................................................... 44 List of Appendices APPENDIX A CANDIDATE KEY VIEWS ............................................................................. A-1 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 3 1.0 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study is to assess the visual impacts of the proposed Del Mar Village Specific Plan, also referred to as the Village Specific Plan. The study also proposes measures to mitigate any adverse visual impacts associated with the implementation of the plan and its effect on the visual environment. 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed project consists of a new Specific Plan for the Village that is designed to implement the vision found in the Community Plan. Some of the major policies that may affect the visual environment resulting from implementation of the Specific Plan include: · increased development potential within the study area; · requirements for a build-to line requiring a street wall along the walk for storefronts; · requirements for various setbacks from property lines and stepbacks of upper building elements; · raised height limit to 26’-0” on the western side of Camino del Mar to match the allowed height limit on the eastern side; · height limit bonus for an additional 4’ 0” on top of the 26’-0” for articulated rooflines; · creation of a mixed-use zone for commercial properties that also allows residential development at a density of 20 dwelling units per acre; · permitting parking structures in both the mixed-use and public facilities zones; · redesigned sidewalks and on-street parking to be continuous and aligned within the public right-of-way; and, · redesigned Camino del Mar to be a 2-lane roadway with roundabouts at key intersections. The new Specific Plan would allow building parcels to increase their maximum development potential from the existing .45 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to a 1.0 FAR. Proposed allowed building heights would be 26 feet above Camino del Mar for properties that face Camino del Mar to allow two stories. Side street parcels within the Specific Plan would be allowed to have a 26’-0” height from their average street front property elevation. Roof articulation features may extend an additional four feet, but would not be allowed to create habitable space. Three parcel-specific Specific Plans have been previously adopted and fall within the Village Specific Plan boundaries: the Hotel Specific Plan (L’Auberge), the Plaza Specific Plan (Del Mar Plaza and 1435 Camino del Mar), and the Garden Del Mar Specific Plan (941 Camino del Mar and 307 10 th Street). Both the Hotel and Plaza have been developed according to their adopted Specific Plans. The Garden Del Mar site remains entitled, but undeveloped and vacant. No build-out is anticipated beyond that which is currently constructed at either the L’Auberge Hotel or the Del Mar Plaza, excluding 1435 Camino del Mar. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 4 Computer model outputs showing existing buildings (top), maximum building envelopes (middle) and theoretical infill buildings (bottom). These views are looking from the north, by the Del Mar Plaza at 15th Street, southward to 9th Street. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 5 3.0 ASSESSMENT METHOD The study follows Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) thresholds for visual impacts identified by the State of California and further defined by the Association of Environmental Planners. In addition, methods used at the federal level have also been included, even though this study is not a NEPA document, they are relevant for visual studies. The processes from the federal level used in this visual impact study generally follow the guidelines outlined in the publication "Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects," Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), March 1981, as well as processes known as “Visual Resource Management” methods from the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and the National Forest Service. Local, state, federal guidelines and national standards commonly suggest six steps for conducting visual impacts. They are as follows: A. Define the project setting and viewshed. B. Identify key views for visual assessment. C. Analyze existing visual resources and viewer response. D. Depict the visual appearance of project alternatives. E. Assess the visual impacts of project alternatives. F. Propose methods to mitigate adverse or significant visual impacts. 4.0 VISUAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE PROJECT 4.1 Project Setting The Village Specific Plan boundary is shown in Figure 4-1. The plan occupies approximately 40 acres within the urbanized town center of Del Mar. The Village Specific Plan generally encompasses the central business district corridor that is along Camino del Mar between 9th Street and approximately the easterly alignment of 17th Street. Additionally, commercial and post office properties along 15th Street west to Stratford Court are included. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 6 Figure 4-1: Project Location and Village Specific Plan Boundary Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 7 4.2 Regulatory Setting 4.2.1 State Scenic Highway Program California's Scenic Highway Program was created by the Legislature in 1963. Its purpose is to preserve and protect scenic highway corridors from change, which would diminish the aesthetic value of lands adjacent to highways. There are no designated or eligible scenic highways in the area listed in the California Scenic Highway Program. 4.2.2 California Coastal Act Under the California Coastal Act of 1976, scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas are considered and protected as a visual resource. Permitted development should be sited and designed to protect public views to and along the ocean and scenic coastal areas. The act also requires minimizing the alteration of natural landforms, to assure that they are visually compatible with the character of surrounding areas, and, where feasible, to restore and enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas. The City implements their Local Coastal Plan (LCP) through the Community Plan, various policy reports, the San Dieguito Lagoon Enhancement Program, as well as other goals and policies adopted by the City Council to guide future development within Del Mar. Aesthetic components of the LCP relevant to the Plan area include development of a community center with attractive walkways and landscaped court and open spaces, pedestrian-oriented streetscapes, and architectural style which retains a small-town character and preserves public ocean views and public access to the coastline. 4.2.3 Del Mar Community Plan The Del Mar Community Plan (1976 amended 1985) includes goals and policies that address aesthetics. The overall goal is to “[p]reserve and enhance the special character of Del Mar, the elements of which are a village-like community of substantially single- family residential character, a picturesque and rugged site, and a beautiful beach.” Other goals applicable to aesthetics include minimizing the impact of vehicles on the character of the City, and preserving and enhancing the “special residential character and small town atmosphere with its harmonious blending of buildings and landscape in proximity to a beautiful shoreline.” As identified in the Community Plan, Camino del Mar is a scenic roadway and views of the Pacific Ocean and other visual resources such as bluffs and trees are to be protected. Jimmy Durante Boulevard (formerly Turf Road), Crest Road, Carmel Valley Road, Coast Boulevard, and Del Mar Heights Road are also considered scenic roadways; however, the Plan area is not located within the scenic views identified for preservation for these roadways. 4.2.4 Scenic View Protection Ordinance DMMC Chapter 23.51 provides for protection of trees, scenic views, and sunlight that contribute to the character of the City and benefit to residents. This chapter is informally known as the Scenic View Protection Ordinance and gives residents the right to preserve scenic views or sunlight that existed at the time they purchased or occupied the residence or in the last 10 years, whichever is shorter. Scenic views are defined as “a view of the ocean, lagoons, canyons, the community and its landscapes and urban forest character, or other scenic vistas, from the Primary Living Area of a residence.” Primary Living Areas are defined as the “[single] portion of a residence from which a Scenic View is observed most often by the occupants and guests at the residence.” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 8 Under this ordinance, vegetation and trees must be properly maintained within 300 feet of residential properties to preserve scenic views and sunlight. The Municipal Code has established a procedure to resolve conflicts regarding protected trees, scenic views and sunlight rights. 4.2.5 Tree Ordinance The Tree Ordinance (Chapter 23.50 of the DMMC) provides for the orderly protection of trees, including the following measures: B. In the interest of the public health, safety and welfare, as well as general aesthetics of the community and the importance of the ecology of the area, the City of Del Mar finds it necessary to encourage conservation of trees and the application of management techniques to create a healthy, diverse urban forest, including but not limited to pruning, thinning, trimming, shaping, and selective planting and removal of trees and vegetation within the City of Del Mar on private as well as public property. [Ord. 749] C. The species Torrey Pine, the species Monterey Cypress, and all species of trees located within the Central Commercial zone and the environmentally sensitive Open Space Overlay zone are of particular significance to the City, and should therefore be protected to conserve the environmental qualities of the City. To further enforce this protection, the City of Del Mar prepared a Public Tree Policy Manual in 2004. This manual directs tree preservation in order to preserve the community’s unique, village-like atmosphere, which is distinguished by its community forest. Trees species of particular concern include Torrey pines and Monterey cypress, although the manual indicates all trees within the Plan area are considered significant. A Tree Removal Permit is required to remove a Protected Tree, except in certain situations outlined in the Municipal Code Chapter 23.50.050. In the case of public trees, a separate Encroachment Permit from the City is also required (this statement does not apply to the City or its contractors). Implemented through the Design Review process, trees are also required to be protected during construction to prevent tree loss. 4.2.6 Design Review Ordinance The Design Review Chapter 23.08 of DMMC Title 23 (also known as Design Review Ordinance) requires all new construction or major remodeling projects within the Plan area to obtain a Design Review Permit (DRP). The purpose of the DRP is to “to achieve and protect a residential, seaside community which is both beautiful and pleasant in character, by fostering and encouraging good design which encompasses the use of harmonious materials and colors, compatible proportional relationships and appropriate use of landscaping, and to protect the citizens of the City of Del Mar.” The DRP process includes several evaluation components, including many related to aesthetics. Overall, the evaluation components provide the following guidance: · Minimize the disruption of existing natural features such as trees and other vegetation, natural ground forms, and view. This includes blending proposed grading with existing topography. · Include landscaping that matches existing landscaping in the area and compliments and visually softens buildings. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 9 · Unattractive features shall be screened from view. · Minimize blockage impacts to public and private coastal views, and retains scenic resources. · Development shall be similar in scale and design (including style, materials, or colors) relative to the surrounding neighborhood; however, similar or identical building façades shall be avoided on adjacent parcels. · Design lighting to reduce adverse impacts to the local neighborhood and be architecturally integrated. · Views and designs shall be considered in all elevations. The Design Review section of the Design Regulations (Section 23.08.070) does not allow projects where “design unreasonably blocks significant public coastal views” or “unreasonably encroaches upon primary scenic views of neighboring property.” As the above information is only a summary of several pages of evaluation components, please refer to the Design Review Ordinance for more information. As a part of the Design Review aesthetics analysis, story poles may be required to indicate the proposed alignment and massing of a development. Story poles are required for projects that involve a new structure, a second-story addition to an existing structure, or any addition which, in the estimation of staff or the Design Review Board, may cause concerns about inappropriate bulk and mass, or view blockage. The story pole analysis shall be completed per the City’s story poles application guide. The Design Review Board, or City Council, has the authority to impose conditions on projects to protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the surrounding area, and to ensure that projects fully meet the criteria as set forth in Chapter 23.08 of the Municipal Code. As stated in Chapter 23.08.100, conditions shall be reasonably related to the project. 4.2.7 Historic Preservation Overlay Zone The DMMC designates the HP-OZ. The HP-OZ protects the architectural and historic integrity of certain historically significant properties located within the City. The Stratford Square and the City Library are the two sites within the Plan area with HP-OZ designations. In addition, the residence at 110 15th Street, the former train station, the Powerhouse Community Center located west of Coast Boulevard, and the “Rock House,” a residence located adjacent to the east side of the Plan area are nearby properties with HP-OZ designations. 4.2.8 Other Municipal Code Regulations Other DMMC regulations also indirectly regulate aesthetic impacts. Supplemental Municipal Code zoning regulations in Chapter 30.86 pertain to undergrounding utilities; fences; screening of unsightly uses including garbage storage space; rooftop structures (chimneys and vents); yard landscaping; and yard projections. The zoning code provides height and density restrictions. Within the Plan area, height restrictions include 26 feet for properties along east side of Camino del Mar and 14 feet along the west side of Camino del Mar. Currently, 70 percent of the structures on the west side of Camino del Mar are nonconforming in that they already exceed this 14-foot building height restriction. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 10 Assignment of a maximum FAR, the amount of building square footage relative to the size of a development parcel is a primary means by which Del Mar and other communities control the visible bulk and mass of structures. The maximum allowable FAR in the Central Commercial Zone is 0.45 and the Public Facilities Zone does not have a FAR limit. Forty percent of the existing buildings in the Village already exceed the current CC Zone 0.45 FAR limitation. In addition, signs are regulated by Municipal Code Chapter 30.84. 4.24.3 Visual Character Units A visual character unit is a portion of the regional landscape that can be thought of as an outdoor room exhibiting a distinct and definable visual character. A character unit will often correspond to a place or district that is commonly known among local viewers. A total of seven visual character units have been identified either within the specific plan boundary or adjacent to the boundary: Civic, Residential, Commercial, Hotel, Plaza, Vacant, Street and Streetscape. These units are important to establish the context of the visual environment. Impacts to a visual environment resulting from project changes, all depend on the visual character setting in which these changes occur. Civic Character Unit Civic spaces within the Village Specific Plan boundary include the City Hall, the Library, and the Post Office. All three of these buildings are unique in character and are set off the street. The City Hall site is underutilized and consists of a building on the corner of Camino del Mar and 11th Street and a large parking lot adjacent to Camino del Mar. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 11 Residential Character Unit The residential neighborhoods are both to the west and east of Camino del Mar. The architecture and landscape ranges in style. The buildings are tucked behind the main streets and are either moderately or highly hidden by mature landscape and trees. The buildings heights are limited to protect views to the oceans and generally follow the topography. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 12 Commercial Character Units The commercial character unit along Camino del Mar varies in architectural style and character. The buildings are limited and consistent in height because of the current restrictions in the municipal code. The setbacks on the buildings vary and are inconsistent, which creates a variable pedestrian space between the roadway and building façade. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 13 Hotel and Plaza Character Unit The Plaza development at the north end of the study area includes a variety of view- oriented restaurants and retail that take advantage of the topography. The project is generally oriented around a pedestrian experience. The Plaza includes an underground parking garage at the north end of the character unit. Across the street to the west is the L'Auberge Del Mar Hotel. It creates a visual gateway into the commercial core of Del Mar. Both of these developments include manicured landscape with modernized, well- maintained architecture. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 14 Vacant / Parking Character Unit Most of the lots in the Del Mar Village area are developed, though the intensity of development is only moderate compared to many downtown areas of similar size to Del Mar. Much of the land not occupied by buildings is used for surface parking. Large lots are found at the City Hall, and diagonal parking is in front of several businesses along Camino del Mar. There is one parcel that is vacant. This parcel is comprised of an asphalt-paved surface with a wooden fence surrounding the site. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 15 Street and Streetscape Character Unit The existing right-of-way along Camino del Mar is 100 feet wide with parking, bike lanes, two lanes of travel in each direction and a median. The parking along this street is inconsistent and includes parallel, head-in and diagonal parking. There are mature plantings within the median, which include random groupings of large, mature trees. The pedestrian spaces between the face of curb and buildings fronting Camino del Mar vary greatly because of the buildings setbacks and other unique site constraints. The paving, planting, furnishings, lighting, and signage are inconsistent. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 16 Recreation Character Unit The recreation character unit includes Powerhouse Park and the bluffs and coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Many local residents and visitors use these areas for a variety of recreational opportunities. Powerhouse Park consists of an expansive lawn with tables and benches. Adjacent to this park heading south, there are pathways on top of bluffs that are covered in native and non-native vegetation with direct views to the ocean below that individuals use for walking and running. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 17 Existing Architectural Form and Street Character The City of Del Mar has an eclectic and unique character resulting from a mixture of architecture, landscape, parking facilities, and the streetscape elements. Camino del Mar is the main road through the city and development is concentrated on each side of it. It is comprised of two travel lanes in both directions with bike lanes inconsistently located along its length. Parking includes of a variety of parallel and angled parking with some of it within the right of way. Other spaces are arranged in a “town and country” style on private property in front of buildings. The north and southbound lanes are divided by landscaped medians with mature trees and a variety of smaller shrubs and groundcover. Architectural Character: One of the major contributors to the eclectic style of Del Mar is the variety of architectural styles present along Camino del Mar. The buildings generally take elements from a specific architectural style or period but do not always follow one style consistently. The mixture of styles from lot to lot creates a distinctive style and character. This occurs throughout the Specific Plan area. A good example of this mixture can be seen on the west side of Camino del Mar south of 15th Street. The photograph on the left illustrates three unrelated styles for three different buildings. The building on the far right was built in the Tudor Revival style while the building at the far left has elements of Spanish Revival. The building in the middle has no distinct style but was built during the 1970s. It is this blend of variety of mixed styles that contributes to the eclectic feel and unique character of the Village of Del Mar. Although the architectural styles of the buildings are different along Camino del Mar, there are consistencies with respect to materials, doors, and windows openings. The buildings incorporate a variety of materials. All types of colors, textures and materials from stucco finishes to brick can be found along Camino del Mar. Doors and windows also have a significant impact on the success of the pedestrian environment and overall streetscape. The buildings that contribute most to the streetscape environment are the ones that activate the pedestrian experience. These buildings typically have doors that are easily identifiable and windows that allow for shop displays starting no more than 24”’ above the exterior grade and extend to at least 6’ in height. The majority of buildings along Camino del Mar have larger display windows with easily accessible doors. Below are two photographs that illustrate the use of these larger windows and door entries. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 18 The architectural style varies, from Tudor and Scandinavian architecture to Polynesian hip roof styles. Though of different heights and scales, these two buildings are good examples of period and style consistent structures that add to the sense of place of Del Mar. Other buildings do not portray much of a style and are either dominated by the front lot parking areas or tend to be modern architecture with limited indoor/outdoor spatial connections. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 19 Street Character: Just as the buildings are architecturally varied, the sidewalk conditions and building placements along Camino del Mar are varied as well. The sidewalk is sometimes constructed of brick pavers, concrete, or a combination of materials. Buildings are sometimes set back to accommodate larger café areas and planting areas and other times buildings are placed in a zero lot line condition. The photograph below (upper left) shows two buildings with two different setbacks. The building on the left has incorporated the additional setback distance for a covered porch and clothing sales rack while the building on the right is utilizing the space for exterior cafe seating. Larger setbacks can also be used to create courtyards or additional exterior space to be shared amongst buildings. The photograph below (right) shows two buildings with a building between that is setback more than 10’. This large setback allows for some relief from the building edge, but also provides an area of larger outdoor sale opportunities or alternatively a café or restaurant. Variations in setbacks enhance the streetscape experience and add interest to the physical environment while creating opportunities for additional exterior uses. The addition of different sidewalk materials and varied building setbacks contribute to the unique character of this area. The variation between design elements indicates that changes to the area will not dramatically contrast or “stand out” by being different. A unifying design element is missing from this portion of Del Mar. Efforts in the future may attempt to provide uniformity through the walkway materials, street lights, benches and plant material found along the corridor. Recently, some efforts have been made in terms of adding a “Del Mar” branding to its benches and trash receptacles. Also, many of the sidewalk areas recently added are providing a consistent exposed chipped rock aggregate that will help to provide a unifying element along the street. Many buildings along Camino del Mar address the pedestrian experience successfully. Although the average sidewalk width is approximately 10’, the sidewalk contains many streetscape elements including, benches, planter boxes with small shrubs, outdoor cafes, clothing racks, signage and other human scaled elements. The photograph at the left illustrates an example of how street elements set the character of the streetscape. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 20 Plazas associated with some of the larger developments are often activated by outside eating and sitting areas. Shade, water features and defined spaces are often included. Though both examples have outdoor spaces at the front of the buildings, the image on the left lacks activation of its space based on adjacent land uses and lack of seating facilities. Some buildings do not have clear windows that encourage window-shopping and others are negatively affected by the angle parking that forces the walkways away from the street. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 21 There is a great deal of variety in rooflines and overall forms, as well as setbacks and parking areas. Many of the streetscapes are highly detailed with plant material, overheads, seating and fountains. Very nice examples include those with a great integration of interior or exterior spaces or those that have used plant material and seat walls to define a transitional space from public to private. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 22 Some areas have great spatial definition, some created away from the street while others are spatially flat and linear with limited façade variations that define the street wall. The street wall varies and is often determined by the sidewalk and angle off-street parking. Pedestrians are not always up against the road edge, which makes for a non-contiguous street edge. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 23 4.34.4 Project Viewshed and Views Viewshed Definition: the natural environment that is visible from one or more viewing points (Merriam-Webster). From a Geographic information systems (GIS) standpoint, viewsheds can be described as the determination of visibility of a surface DEM (digital elevation model) by one or more observer points located on that surface. The visibility of each surface cell center is determined by comparing the altitude angle of the cell center (surface) with the altitude angle to the local horizon of each observer point. The local horizon is computed by considering the intervening terrain between the point of observation and the current cell center. If the point lies above the local horizon, it is considered visible (see Figure 4-2). The landform surface model was obtained from an existing digital elevation model. The resolution of each surface cell analyzed in the model is 10 meters by 10 meters, or approximately 1,076 square feet. Viewshed Processes: A viewshed for a single vantage point may be run across a surface in order to predict what can be seen from that single vantage point. This is valuable in validating whether areas across the surface are visible or not from that specific location. This does not, however, give us quantitative information about the degree of visibility for a given area. To simulate how many project features, or how much project area can be seen, a viewshed can be run from the project features (or area) using this surface. Many visual test points are used in these models and the visible points can be added up to give an idea of the overall extent of the Viewshed. The dynamics of the Del Mar visual environment requires the development of two distinctively different viewshed types. Views of the Pacific Ocean are an important aspect of living in Del Mar. They affect property values and the quality of life. Though one large body of water, the ocean in visual terms has: a horizon line or background view; an open water view or middle ground view; and a coastal beach / shore view or a foreground view. The proposed buildings on Camino del Mar have the potential of blocking views of the ocean by interceding or piercing the view corridor. A viewshed model was developed first to determine the leading edge of the ocean as seen by all of the residents on the slopes east of Camino del Mar. Then, the leading edge of this view was selected and a viewshed model was developed to show the areas that can see the multiple points along this linear leading edge in the ocean. Interceding buildings along Camino del Mar, as well as other topography in the area, determine what can see this leading edge and what cannot (see Figure 4-4). It should be noted that vegetation and other buildings outside the Specific Plan area are not in the model, so the results should be considered as the worst-case situation. The real viewshed model can be dramatically less than this due to other buildings and vegetation. The computer model was then modified to include increased building heights allowed in the Specific Plan and another viewshed model was calculated (see Figure 4-5). Finally, the difference between the current viewshed and the proposed viewshed based on the building height differences was calculated (see Figure 4-6). Using the processes above, the viewsheds to the project and from the project were analyzed. As shown in Figure 4-7, the majority of the buildings along Camino del Mar are visible from residences located uphill between Camino del Mar and Luneta Drive and again at the residences to the north and south of Crest Drive. Locations along Camino del Mar also have high visibility of other buildings along Camino Del Mar. The remaining areas within the City have a low to moderate visibility of the buildings along Camino del Mar. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 24 Figure 4-2: Viewshed and Human Eyesight Dynamics Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 25 A second series of viewshed models were developed that show the visibility of the buildings themselves, without regard to the background ocean views. This second viewshed model was run showing the areas that can see the current buildings along Camino del Mar. Then the computer model was adjusted by increasing building heights to 30’ with variable roof heights from 26’ to 30’ (see Figure 4-8). The difference between the building heights and their affect on the viewshed extent is shown on Figure 4-9. The view corridor summary map shown on Figure 4-10, illustrates where view corridors exist through the Specific Plan area to the Pacific Ocean. This analysis indicates locations of primary, secondary, intermittent and partial ocean view corridors. Generally, primary view corridors consist of the east-west streets that extend through the Plan area to the bluffs. The secondary views corridors originate from roadways located to the east of the Plan area along streets that either do not go all the way through Camino del Mar, or where the angle of the streets a few blocks to the east of the Specific Plan area, allow for additional views to the west. The analysis also locates where intermittent views of the ocean are visible from Camino del Mar, generally where buildings are currently missing, or large gaps between buildings are available. In some cases, the elevation along Camino del Mar, affords some minor views towards the northwest, over existing single story buildings. Finally, this analysis determines where private parcels along Camino del Mar, have portals, gaps or plazas on the street that allow users of Camino del Mar to see small portions of ocean views. However, most of these views are very confined or are currently blocked by other buildings and trees. The Viewshed summary map also indicates areas to the east of Camino del Mar that have been grouped into view categories. Upper slopes east of Camino del Mar above a certain elevation (shown in light yellow), see entirely over the buildings along Camino del Mar. In some cases, they may see the views of buildings in the specific plan area, but they are not blocking middle-ground views of the ocean beyond the beach, nor do they interrupt the horizon line. Whether buildings are 14’ or 30’ from this area, their presence would not be considered a blocking of a view corridor to the ocean. This zone is overlaid on the Viewshed maps indicating visibility of the trend line in the ocean. Those area that are a very pale yellow, do not have visibility of the ocean, due to interceding topography and canyon landforms. Those that have an orange to red color showing through the pale yellow, have increasing degrees of visibility of the ocean. The lower slopes show in bright yellow on Figure 4-10, are those from approximately one to two blocks east of Camino del Mar. Depending on topography, these roadway segments and private parcels, potentially have a small portion of their views blocked by buildings that are 26’ or taller. Several existing buildings currently block views of the lower portions of the ocean, and dozens of mature trees also interrupt these views. In general, a building between 26’ and 30’ would be part of the viewing scene of the middle-ground from this area, and the near shoreline out past the trend line (shown on Figures 4-3 to 4-6). The horizon line is not likely to be interrupted by buildings up to 30’. The next zone shown on Figure 4-10 (in red) includes parcels that are generally from ½ block to 1 block from Camino del Mar. These properties do have views blocked off by buildings on the east side that are greater than 14’ in height and buildings on the west side of about 20’-24’ in height. Some views do exist from this location, but most of these properties are either commercial properties on the back side of the eastern lots on Camino del Mar, or front the alley. Finally, the green zone shows areas along Camino del Mar that have there views of the ocean completely blocked by any building that is 6’ to 14’ in height. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 26 Figure 4-3: Determining Ocean Views from Slopes This figure shows the ocean views as seen from the slopes east of Camino del Mar. The deeper the red, the more houses (indicated with black dots) that can see this part of the ocean. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 27 Figure 4-4: Viewshed Trendline with Existing Buildings along CDM Viewshed of the trendline (dashed line) on the ocean determined to be the most visible part of the near ocean that most structures on the slopes east of Camino del Mar can see (given current buildings and landforms that block views). Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 28 Figure 4-5: Viewshed Trendline with Proposed Buildings along CDM Viewshed of the ocean (trendline) given increased building heights (from 26’ to 30’ variable roofline) along Camino del Mar. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 29 Figure 4-6: Viewshed Trendline Net Difference Net difference of areas where portions of the view of the ocean (trendline) would be partially blocked by building heights along Camino del Mar versus existing building heights. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 30 Figure 4-7: Viewshed of Existing Buildings along CDM Areas in color indicate those areas of Del Mar that can see existing buildings along Camino del Mar. Red areas can see most all buildings, whereas areas with no color see no buildings. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 31 Figure 4-8: Viewshed of the Proposed Buildings along Camino del Mar The viewshed shown indicates areas that can see the existing and proposed buildings. New buildings have replaced existing buildings where it has been assumed the site would redevelop. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 32 Figure 4-9: Viewshed Net Difference of Building Heights Net difference of properties affected by changes in building heights (note that blue colors indicate minor change in visibility while orange indicates a more dramatic change). Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 33 Figure 4-10: Ocean Viewsheds and View Corridors Along and Through Camino del Mar Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 34 Most of the east to west streets have views of the ocean, but the amount of ocean seen can vary dramatically as you head to the east, where just one block will allow you to see over most buildings. Views heading north or southbound on Camino del Mar are much more limited. Where they do appear, it is the result of a break in building masses and where mature plant material does not exist. A few midblock views can be seen between buildings. A portion of the ocean can be seen from across from the east side of the street, though more dramatic views can be seen from the west side. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 35 Other openings exist, but contain a large amount of walls or landscaping that blocks most of the view. Current buildings block most of the views as seen from the road or sidewalk. Even a depressed 14’ building cannot be seen over the top from this side. Where buildings are missing, views do exist. Views over buildings occur once you head east up the streets and gain altitude. Views over the west side buildings from the first half block eastward only occur over the top of 14’ buildings. It is likely that buildings at 26’ to 30’ will not be seen over unless you travel east of the alleyway. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 36 5.0 EXISTING VISUAL RESOURCES AND VIEWER RESPONSE 5.1 Methods used for Visual Resource Analysis Individual visual resources, when combined, make up the uniqueness of visual character. The visible individual components of a landscape include landform, landcover, water bodies, vegetation and man-made development. Step 1: Identify Visual Character – Visual character is descriptive and non-evaluative, which means it is based on defined attributes that are neither good nor bad in themselves. A change in visual character cannot be described as having good or bad attributes until it is compared with the viewer response to that change. If there is public preference for the established visual character of a regional landscape and resistance to a project that would contrast that character, then changes in the visual character can be evaluated. Step 2: Assess Visual Quality – Visual quality is evaluated by identifying the vividness, intactness and unity present in the viewshed. This method should correlate with public judgments of visual quality well enough to predict those judgments. This approach to evaluating visual quality can also help identify specific methods for mitigating each adverse impact that may occur as a result of a project. The three criteria for evaluating visual quality can be defined as follows: Vividness is the visual power or memorability of landscape components as they combine in distinctive visual patterns. Intactness is the visual integrity of the natural and man-built landscape and its freedom from encroaching elements. It can be present in well-kept urban and rural landscapes, as well as in natural settings. Unity is the visual coherence and compositional harmony of the landscape considered as a whole. It frequently attests to the careful design of individual manmade components in the landscape. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 37 5.2 Existing Visual Resources 5.2.1 Scenic Resources The City of Del Mar begins at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and follows the topography up toward the east. Many residences and businesses in Del Mar have views of the ocean. Under the California Coastal Act of 1976, scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas are considered and protected as a visual resource. Permitted development should be sited and designed to protect views to and along the ocean and scenic coastal areas. The act also requires minimizing the alteration of natural landforms to assure that they are visually compatible with the character of surrounding areas, and, where feasible, to restore and enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas. View of Pacific Ocean from residential neighborhood along 10th Street Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 38 There are a diverse collection of street trees in the Village Plan area, including Eucalyptus species, and Monterey Pines and Torrey Pines along Camino del Mar in the medians and throughout the residential neighborhoods. The Tree Ordinance (Section 23.50) of the Del Mar Municipal Code provides for the orderly protection of trees, including the following measures: B. In the interest of the public health, safety and welfare, as well as general aesthetics of the community and the importance of the ecology of the area, the City of Del Mar finds it necessary to encourage conservation of trees and the application of management techniques to create a healthy, diverse urban forest, including but not limited to pruning, thinning, trimming, shaping, and selective planting and removal of trees and vegetation within the City of Del Mar on private as well as public property. [Ord. 749] C. The species Torrey Pine, the species Monterey Cypress, and all species of trees located within the Central Commercial zone and the environmentally sensitive Open Space Overlay zone are of particular significance to the City, and should therefore be protected to conserve the environmental qualities of the City. Specimen Torrey Pines are found throughout the City of Del Mar Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 39 The Del Mar Municipal Code designates the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HP-OZ). The HP-OZ protects the architectural and historic integrity of certain historically significant properties located within the City, but also provides the means to designate additional properties as historically significant. Within the HP-OZ, no building, improvement, structure, or portion thereof shall be erected, constructed, demolished, relocated, converted, altered, or enlarged, nor shall any lot or premises be excavated or graded unless approved by the Design Review Board. The City of Del Mar has two designated Historical Sites. Both Stratford Square (1438– 1454 Camino del Mar; 225 West 15th Street) and the City Library (1309 Camino del Mar) have HP-OZ designations and have been designated by the City as historic landmark properties. The Del Mar Library and Eucalyptus trees along Camino del Mar Stratford Square Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 40 Adjacent to the Plan area are other parcels with the HP-OZ designation, including a linear parcel west of the Post Office along the east side of the railroad tracks, the Powerhouse park located west of Coast Boulevard, and the Ivan Gayler Trust located adjacent to the east side of the Plan area, north of 15th Street. Powerhouse Park The State Scenic Highway Program lists highways that are either eligible for designation as a scenic highway or are already designated as a scenic highway. Designation as a scenic highway depends on how much of the natural landscape travelers can see the scenic quality of the landscape, and the extent to which development intrudes on the traveler's enjoyment of the view (Caltrans, 2010). While there are no state designated or eligible scenic highways in the area listed in the California Scenic Highway Program, the Community Plan does designate scenic roadways. Camino del Mar is a scenic roadway and views of the Pacific Ocean and visual resources such as bluffs and trees are to be protected. Jimmy Durante Boulevard (formerly Turf Road), Crest Road, Carmel Valley Road, Coast Boulevard, and Del Mar Heights Road are also considered scenic roadways. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 41 5.2.2 Existing Visual Character The City of Del Mar is made up of an eclectic style of architecture, landscape, parking areas, and streetscapes. Camino del Mar is the visually prominent road through the city. It is made up of two travel lanes in both directions with bike lanes and either parallel or angled parking along much of its edges. In most locations, the north and southbound lanes are divided by landscaped medians with mature trees and a variety of smaller shrubs and groundcover. The pedestrian walkways adjacent to the road have variable widths due to a variety of building setbacks. The walks are sometimes difficult to navigate because they are discontinuous and the widths are inadequate for the number of people along the walk during peak times. The walkway surfaces and landscape along the road is also made up of a variety of materials and includes a few large trees. There is a consistent change in elevation and landform from the ocean moving toward the east. The majority of the buildings in Del Mar are limited to two stories in order to protect ocean views. The architecture is a mixture of historical and modern styles but also contain a few obsolete or poorly detailed buildings that detract from the visual intactness of this corridor. The common design form found along the eclectic collection of architectural treatments, is the dominance of human scale and visual interest provided by the variety of shops and outdoor spaces. The changes in building materials, display of public art or shop items for sale, all carry with it, a very human scale. The primary concentration of businesses includes office, retail, restaurants, and hotels located along Camino del Mar. The residential areas take advantage of the ocean views and are located to both the east and west of Camino Del Mar. The beach and adjacent bluffs along with Powerhouse Park provide recreational opportunities. 5.2.3 Existing Visual Quality The visual quality of each character unit is shown in Table 5-1: Visual Quality Assessment of Character Units. This qualitative evaluation takes into account the vividness, intactness, and unity of the study area. Table 5-1: Visual Quality Assessment of Character Units Character Unit Vividness Intactness Unity Overall Visual Quality Civic Low to Moderate Low Low Low Residential Moderate Moderate High Moderate Commercial Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Hotel and Plaza High High High High Vacant / Parking Low Low Low Low Street and Streetscape Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Recreation High High High High Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 42 5.3 Methods of Predicting Viewer Response Viewer response is composed of two elements: viewer sensitivity and viewer exposure. These elements combine to form a method of predicting how the public might react to visual changes brought about by a project. Viewer sensitivity is defined both as the viewers’ concern for scenic quality and the viewers’ response to change in the visual resources that make up the view. Local values and goals may confer visual significance on landscape components and areas that would otherwise appear unexceptional in a visual resource analysis. Even when the existing appearance of a project site is uninspiring, a community may still object to projects that fall short of its visual goals. Viewer exposure is typically assessed by measuring the number of viewers exposed to the resource change, type of viewer activity, duration of their view, speed at which the viewer moves, and position of the viewer. High viewer exposure heightens the importance of early consideration of design, art, and architecture and their roles in managing the visual resource effects of a project. 5.3.1 Existing Viewer Groups, Viewer Sensitivity, and Viewer Exposure A summary of the viewer sensitivity and exposure can be found in Table 5-2 and are described below. A total of 7 viewer groups include pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, retail workers or customers, and hotel and restaurant workers or customers, office workers, and residents were considered. Pedestrians are individuals utilizing adjacent walks within the project area. The view of the project would be in the foreground for this group and as a pedestrian moving along the corridor of Camino del Mar, the viewing duration would be short to moderate, depending on their walking speed and dwell time in front of shops and restaurants. Pedestrians using this area have a moderate sensitivity to visual change. Many of the pedestrians are visitors to Del Mar and don’t frequently visit the area to notice changes. Bicyclists are individuals biking along Camino del Mar. Del Mar sits along a popular route that runs along the coast and bicyclists throughout the region use the bike lanes along Camino del Mar. The number of bicyclists is moderate when comparing them to the quantity of other viewer groups such as vehicular drivers, but still significant enough to note. Similar to the pedestrians, the project is in the foreground as bicyclists are travailing through the project area, but the viewing duration is short resulting in low viewer exposure and low viewer sensitivity. Motorists are drivers and passengers utilizing surface streets in the project area. The viewer sensitivity to change is moderate to low. There are existing views to the ocean along Camino del Mar and through street corridors running in the east/west direction also exist to see views of the ocean. Camino del Mar is sometimes unfavorably used as an alternative route to Interstate 5 which runs in the north / south direction, parallel to Del Mar Village. This roadway is often congested during night and morning commute times. It is also congested during weekends and when special events such as the San Diego County Fair and Del Mar Racetrack are running resulting in a high quantity of viewers. The viewing duration is short and the project is in the foreground of the view resulting in a moderate viewer exposure. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 43 Retail Workers or Customers are individuals working or purchasing goods or service in the project area. This viewer group has a moderate viewer exposure. The quantity of viewers and the viewing duration is moderate, and the view of the project is in the foreground. Retail workers and customers have a moderate sensitivity to the view and changes. They are often concerned with the aesthetic and visibility of storefronts or blockage of business façades and the visual relationship of the immediate visual environment. Hotel/ Restaurant Workers or Customers are individuals working or procuring services at a hotel or restaurant within the project area. This group has a high sensitivity to changes in the visual environment. They rely on the visual resource of the ocean to create a unique experience for patrons or customers. They are also concerned with the façade of the buildings and visibility of immediate surroundings and aesthetics. The proposed project is in the foreground of this viewer group’s view. The viewing duration is moderate and the quantity of viewers is moderate resulting in a moderate viewer exposure. Office Workers are individuals working in a business within the project study area. There is a low quantity of viewers within this group, but the viewing duration is moderate to high. The view of the proposed project is in the foreground. The viewer exposure and viewer sensitivity to changes are low to moderate. This viewer group does not rely on the visual resources to enhance their business, but it is an added benefit. Homeowners/Residents are individuals owning homes adjacent to the project. There are no residents within the project boundary; however, due to the topography of Del Mar, the gradual slope up from the ocean in the eastern direction results in residents with views to the project. Residents have a high viewer exposure because of their long viewing duration, and close proximity to the project. The quantity of viewers is high, and under the existing Del Mar Municipal Code, individual residents’ private views are protected as seen by an owner’s designated primary viewing room. In addition, many of the residents in Del Mar have a partial or full view of the ocean from their residence and so the viewer sensitivity is high to visual changes. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 44 Table 5-2: Summary of Viewer Groups Viewer Group Quantity of Viewers Viewing Duration Distance from Viewer to Project Corridor Viewer Exposure Viewer Sensitivity Pedestrian Moderate Short to Moderate Foreground Low Moderate Bicyclist Low Short Foreground Low Low Motorist High Short Foreground Moderate Low to Moderate Retail Worker or Customer Moderate Moderate Foreground Moderate Moderate Hotel / Restaurant Worker or Customer Moderate Moderate Foreground Moderate High Office Workers Low Moderate Foreground Low to Moderate Low to Moderate Home Owners High Long Foreground to Middleground High High Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 45 6.0 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 6.1 Method of Assessing Impacts The visual impacts of a project under CEQA are determined by assessing the visual resource change due to the project and predicting viewer response to that change. Visual resource change is the sum of the change in visual character and change in visual quality. The first step in determining visual resource change is to assess the compatibility of the proposed project with the visual character of the existing landscape. The second step is to compare the visual quality of the existing resources with projected visual quality after the project is constructed. The viewer response to project changes is the sum of viewer exposure and viewer sensitivity to the project. The resulting level of visual impact is determined by combining the severity of resource change with the degree to which people are likely to oppose the change. This project is particularly interested in impacts to view corridors. The process for view quality impacts is to first determine the extent of view corridors, model a viewshed and then determine if the project is likely to block a view corridor of distant viewing scenes of the ocean. 6.2 Definition of Visual Impact Levels This document will use the following levels of impact to determine significance: Low - Minor adverse change to the existing visual resource, with low viewer response to change in the visual environment. May or may not require mitigation. Moderate - Moderate adverse change to the visual resource with moderate viewer response. Impact can be mitigated within five years using conventional practices. Moderately High - Moderate adverse visual resource change with high viewer response or high adverse visual resource change with moderate viewer response. Extraordinary mitigation practices may be required. Landscape treatment required will generally take longer than five years to mitigate. High – A high level of negative change to the resource or a high level of viewer response to visual change such that architectural design and landscape treatment cannot mitigate the impacts. Viewer response level is high. Based on CEQA thresholds, a High or Moderately High Adverse impact would be considered as a significant impact. 6.3 Analysis of Candidate Key Views It is necessary to select a number of possible key viewpoints that most clearly display the visual effects of the project. These candidate key views represent the primary viewer groups that would potentially be affected by the project. Based on fieldwork, viewer groups, probable changes, viewing duration, and viewer sensitivity, candidate key views were selected and building massings were draped over the existing conditions to help understand the impacts of the Specific Plan. Descriptions of the candidate key views can be found in Appendix A. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 46 6.4 Analysis of Key View Simulations Because the study area is visible from a very large area, key views that most clearly display the visual effects of the project have been selected for simulation. These key views represent areas where visually prominent project features would affect existing views. The existing visual quality of each of these key views and the initial contrasts have been evaluated and discussed below. 6.4.1.1 Key View Simulation “A” This key view looks northbound on the west side of Camino del Mar, south of the 12th Street intersection and is depicted in Figure 6-1. Existing Visual Quality / Character The existing visual character of the buildings in the key view are uniform in scale. The mature trees and planting along the street also create a uniform view and are considered to be visual resources contributing to the character of the area. However, large gaps in storefronts along Camino del Mar create a visual environment that is not intact for a pedestrian or motorist. Proposed Project Features This series of simulations depicts a transition of the proposed allowable building heights. The first image shows the infill of buildings, which would include the allowable increase 14 feet for the first floor. The second image shows a second story on the west side of Camino del Mar for a total of 26 feet. The third image shows the building with a four-foot maximum articulated roof for a total of 30 feet. Note that a partial parking reconfiguration is shown on this image, representing a probable phasing whereby portions of blocks adjacent to new development will be reconfigured while other portions may remain with “town and country” (storefront parking on private property) parking until redeveloped. Change to Visual Quality / Character The proposed changes have a low visual contrast and may actually increase the visual quality of the streetscape as seen by a pedestrian or motorist along Camino del Mar. There is an opportunity to improve the vividness and unity of the space through the design of the pedestrian environment. The building heights are not excessive in terms of scale and massing compared with other buildings along Camino del Mar. The articulated roofline (30’) does not increase the appearance of height above the flat roof (26’) version. No existing views along this segment of Camino del Mar will be affected by these changes. Viewer Response The reaction to the proposed changes will not likely be negative from this view point. The majority of the viewers include motorist bicyclists and pedestrians. Their sensitivity and exposure to the view is low to moderate mostly because of the short viewing duration and with the exception of the motorists, the low quantity of viewers. Resulting Visual Impact Overall, the resulting visual impact of this view has a low adverse change and might actually improve the uniformity, intactness, and vividness of the view. The changes to the view would not require mitigation and would be considered less than significant. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 47 Figure 6-1: Key View Simulation “A” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 48 6.4.1.2 Key View Simulation “B” This view looks north on the east side of Camino del Mar south of the 12th Street intersection and is depicted in Figure 6-2. Existing Visual Quality / Character Same as Simulation “A”. Proposed Project Features Same as Simulation “A”. Change to Visual Quality / Character Same as Simulation “A”. Viewer Response Same as Simulation “A”. Resulting Visual Impact Overall, the resulting visual change of this key view would only have a low adverse change and might actually improve the uniformity, intactness, and vividness of the view. The changes to the visual environment would not require mitigation and would be considered less than significant. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 49 Figure 6-2: Key View Simulation “B” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 50 6.4.1.3 Key View Simulation “C” This key view looks north on Camino del Mar just south of the intersection at 11th Street and is depicted in Figure 6-3. Existing Visual Quality / Character The majority of the buildings on the west side of Camino del Mar are blocked by mature trees and planting in the median. Along the east side of the street, the buildings, landscape and setbacks are not vivid, nor are they uniform. The pedestrian environment is disrupted by the parallel parking along the street and in front of store fronts. For a pedestrian or a motorist, the visual experience is not intact nor would it be considered a high visual quality area. Proposed Project Features The proposed project features include the reconfiguration of the street to include angled parking, improved streetscape, infill of buildings, and the roundabout at the intersection. Additional parkway planting is proposed to improve the pedestrian environment, while assuring that the visibility through the traffic circle is open and clear for safety purposes as well as to make sure that trees do not block view corridors from the east to the west on 11th. Change to Visual Quality / Character The proposed changes have a low visual impact and may actually increase the intactness of the view as seen by a pedestrian or motorist. The proposed features would eliminate a large mature tree in the existing median reducing the vividness of the median, but it would be replaced by other trees on the parkway side of the street. Overall, the walkway environment and the roundabout itself, will increase the visual quality of the area due to increased landscaping, improved paving materials and the decrease in the scale of the street resulting from the proposed improvements in the street. Viewer Response The reaction to the proposed changes will not likely be negative from this view point. The majority of the viewers include motorist bicyclists and pedestrians. Their sensitivity and exposure to the view is low to moderate mostly because of the short viewing duration and with the exception of the motorists, the low quantity of viewers. Overall, the scale to these viewers is positive and the pedestrian and vehicular environments have been clarified and improved in visual quality. Resulting Visual Impact Overall, the resulting visual impact of this view has a low adverse change and might actually improve the uniformity, intactness, and vividness of the view and improve the visual environment. Because the large mature tree would be eliminated, the replacement of this tree in the immediate visual area is assumed to be part of the project as proposed. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 51 Figure 6-3: Key View Simulation “C” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 52 6.4.1.4 Key View Simulation “D1” This view looks west from the library patio adjacent to Camino del Mar and is depicted in Figure 6-4. Existing Visual Quality / Character This view is high in intactness and visual quality. This is an important view of the ocean. In addition, the architectural character represented in the view along Camino del Mar is vivid and characteristic of Del Mar in its pedestrian scaled buildings, Spanish style architecture, large storefront windows, and diverse pedestrian environments. Proposed Project Features Proposed project features include an extension of the height toward the back of the parcel with an upper level building, while the pedestrian scaled architecture is maintained along Camino del Mar. The preservation of the front portion of these very human-scaled and high visual quality buildings is important and it is assumed that the Design Review Board process would require something similar to what is shown in the simulationssuch design features. Note that the proposed roadway and parking is not simulated in this view, since the primary concern here is of view corridor blockage and building massing and scale and its affect on the existing character. Change to Visual Quality / Character The proposed project will have a highly adverse affect on the view corridor from this location due to blockage of the view of the ocean from this public viewing location. However, the number of viewers is considered to be low. But, because of the view quality the impact should still be considered significant. The height difference between a 26’ flat roof and the 30’ articulated roof would be not different since they both would block the views in this location. The impact to the existing scale and character of the storefronts and adjacent buildings is considered to be a moderately adverse impact. Much of the character and scale is left intact as seen in the simulation. The overall height increase, though it impacts the view corridor, it does not impact the scale and massing or the visual character of the storefronts. Viewer Response This view represents what a person sitting on the library patio would see. The number of viewers and viewer duration is low resulting in a low viewer exposure. The viewer sensitivity would be high. This is an important view of the ocean and the viewers would be concerned and notice this change. Viewer response to the changes in the building massing and scale compared to the adjacent building and streetscape environment would not be considered high. Resulting Visual Impact Overall, the resulting impact on the view corridor from a public viewing place would be moderate to highly adverse and considered potentially significant. Though a limited number of viewers are likely to see this, it would still be considered potentially significant. Ultimately, the Design Review Ordinance would not allow future development to substantially block scenic views and the potentially significant view impact would be avoided. The changes to the visual quality and character of the area would also not be considered significant, given the assumptions that the DRB review process requirementswould result in a similar design as shown in the simulation. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 53 Figure 6-4: Key View Simulation “D1” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 54 6.4.1.5 Key View Simulation “D2” This view looks northwest from the east side of Camino del Mar in front of the library and is depicted in Figure 6-5. Existing Visual Quality / Character This view is highly intact. Different from Key View D1, there is not a view of the ocean in this view given the height and position of the existing buildings. Again, the architectural character represented in the view along Camino del Mar is vivid and characteristic of Del Mar in its pedestrian scaled buildings, Spanish style architecture, large storefront windows, and a diverse pedestrian environment. In addition, the streetscape provides uniformity for the character of the area. Proposed Project Features Proposed project features include the existing architecture and extended building height on the back side of the parcel. Setback and stepbacks are indicated in the rendering to create visual interest and protect the first floor scaled buildings that do establish some of the character of the village. The pedestrian realm is enhanced with outdoor dining, shopping, seating, and plantings where setbacks occur along Camino del Mar. Change to Visual Quality / Character By maintaining some of the existing architectural character, on the front of the parcel facing Camino del Mar, the change to the view scene and visual character is moderate. The pedestrian scale of the buildings are maintained and the visual character remains intact. But the overall change to the visual environment is not considered to be that dramatic. Viewer Response Depending on a viewer’s outlook and opinion, some viewers may consider this change objectionable while others may not. The reaction to the proposed changes will not likely be overly negative from this viewpoint, but they may be adverse. The majority of the viewers including cyclists and pedestrians, will see this view from a transitory or moving perspective. Their sensitivity and exposure to the view is low to moderate mostly because of the short viewing duration, movement and low quantity of viewers. Resulting Visual Impact The resulting impact on the view corridor from this public viewing place would be low and would not be considered significant. The changes to the visual quality and character of the area would not be considered significant, given the assumptions that the DRB review process would result in a similar design as shown in the simulation. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 55 Figure 6-5: Key View Simulation “D2” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 56 6.4.1.6 Key View Simulation “E” This view looks west to the ocean across Camino del Mar from the north side of 12th Street at Maiden Lane and is depicted in Figure 6-6. Existing Visual Quality / Character This view represents a typical view corridor to the ocean found on most of the numbered streets running in an east/west direction. The view is considered to be highly intact, though it is partially blocked by mature vegetation. This is also typical of most of the view corridors in the study area. These views are important to the City of Del Mar and create a vivid view and uniform rhythm of views when driving, riding or walking down the street. This is an important view of the ocean though it is somewhat interrupted by large mature trees in the middle ground and background. However, enough of a view still exists to be of concern. Based on the simple simulations, it can be seen that most of the view to the ocean is maintained with the proposed building heights of 14’, 26’ or 30’. The side stepback on the second floor is considered to be important to protecting this view corridor. Proposed Project Features Proposed features in this view include the new building heights. The chamfer at the corner lots will help to keep some of the view corridor when approaching from the north or south as a pedestrian. In addition, the ten-foot stepback on the upper floor helps to maintain the views to the ocean and the view corridor so it is not excessively blocked. Change to Visual Quality / Character The change to the visual quality and character would be moderate to low. The massings of the buildings are similar to the existing forms, though higher. The visual quality of the existing buildings on the west side are not high. Replacement buildings are likely to have a higher visual and design quality. The existing vegetation is already partially blocking the scenic vista to the ocean and would not be affected by the project. Viewer Response Currently residents, retail workers and customers have a partial view of the ocean that is interrupted by mature plant material. The viewer exposure and sensitivity to these changes would be low. The extended heights on the buildings do not completely remove the view of the ocean and the scenic vista is maintained. The proposed scale is not out of character with other buildings in the area. Resulting Visual Impact The resulting visual impact of this view would be considered low to moderately adverse. The scenic vista to the ocean is mostly preserved, though a small notch would be affected. This blockage would not be considered significant. The change to the visual character and quality is also considered to be low to moderate. Depending on the final design of replacement buildings, the visual character could be improved along with the overall visual quality. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 57 Figure 6-6: Key View Simulation “E” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 58 6.4.1.7 Key View Simulations “F1, F2, F3, and F4” Key view F1 looks west to Camino del Mar from the south side of 14th Street near the intersection and is depicted in Figure 6-7. Key view F2 looks west to Camino del Mar from the south side of 14th Street, mid-block and is depicted in Figure 6-8. Key view F3 looks west to Camino del Mar from the south side of 14th Street at Maiden Lane and is depicted in Figure 6-9. Key View F4 looks west to Camino del Mar from the intersection of 14th Street and Luneta Drive is depicted in Figure 6-10. Existing Visual Quality / Character This series of views is typical of the view corridors to the ocean from the numbered streets running in an east/west direction. This view is consistent along Camino del Mar and is highly intact. These views are important to the City of Del Mar and are typical of residential views on the lower slopes east of Camino del Mar. The view of the ocean is blocked by existing buildings when a viewer is standing at Camino del Mar. Where there are no buildings, the view is partially blocked by mature trees in the background. Moving up the hillside to the east, the views to the ocean open up and more of the vista is revealed. Change to Visual Quality / Character The proposed building heights from a massing and scale perspective are not in contrast with other buildings in this area. The changes to the visual quality are also not likely to negatively contrast with the current setting, assuming a Design Review Board process that will assure that elements of the Del Mar Village are repeated and existing high quality architecture and storefronts are preserved. Viewer Response Currently residents, retail workers and customers have a partial view of the ocean that is interrupted by mature plant material and overhead powerlines. The viewer exposure and sensitivity to these changes would be moderate. The extended heights on the buildings do not completely remove the view of the ocean and the scenic vista is maintained by the preservation of the view corridor on one of the lots. The view could actually be improved if the background utilities were removed. Also, increased public views would be possible with the development of a Paseo plaza open to the public, between these buildings. The removal of surface parking would also be an improvement. Resulting Visual Impact The resulting visual impact of this view would be considered low to moderately adverse. The scenic vista to the ocean is mostly preserved, though a portion would be affected from the lower slope within the first half block from Camino del Mar. A moderately adverse impact that would be considered less than significant would result to the views in this corridor. A low to moderately adverse impact that is also less than significant, would result to the character of the area, assuming that the Design Review Board process would result in a similar form and character of as show in previous simulations. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 59 Figure 6-7: Key View Simulation “F1” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 60 Figure 6-8: Key View Simulation “F2” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 61 Figure 6-9: Key View Simulation “F3” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 62 Figure 6-10: Key View Simulation “F4” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 63 6.4.1.8 Key View Simulation “G” This view looks north to the intersection of Camino del Mar and is depicted in Figure 6-11. Existing Visual Quality / Character The majority of the buildings on the east side of Camino del Mar are blocked by mature trees and plantings in the median. Along the west side of the street, the buildings, landscape and setbacks are neither vivid nor uniform. The pedestrian environment is disrupted by the parallel parking along the street and in front of storefronts. For a pedestrian, the visual experience is not intact. In addition, there are gaps in the building storefronts along Camino del Mar. Within the view, the trees in front of the library are an important visual element and enhance the visual character of the area. Proposed Project Features The simulation shows a series of images to depict a sequence of potential build out and roadway environment changes. The second image shows the realignment of the street to include angled parking, a bike lane, the realignment of the sidewalk, and one lane of traffic. The last image includes building infill and other enhancements to the pedestrian environment. Change to Visual Quality / Character The proposed changes have a low visual impact and may actually increase the intactness of the view as seen by a pedestrian or motorist experiencing the space along Camino del Mar. The overall scale and dominance of the roadway does improve and is not as expansive and vehicular dominant. Viewer Response The reaction to the proposed changes will not likely be negative from this view point. The majority of the viewers include motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Their sensitivity and exposure to the view is low to moderate mostly because of the short viewing duration and with the exception of the motorists, a low quantity of viewers. Resulting Visual Impact Overall, the resulting visual impact to this key view would be a low adverse change since some of the visual environment would be improved through new design features and new spatial organization and visual interest improvements. The proposed project changes would not be considered to be significant. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 64 Figure 6-11: Key View Simulation “G” Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 65 6.5 Impact Assessment Summary The City of Del Mar does not currently have guidelines for determining significant thresholds. Therefore, CEQA, Appendix G was used to determine the level of impacts the project is likely to cause. The following criteria apply: Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? Many of the vistas in Del Mar are currently blocked by mature shrubs and trees or other existing buildings and landforms. There are scattered scenic vistas throughout Del Mar of the ocean depending on the topographic setting of the viewer. The most substantial scenic vistas of the ocean occur at the streets running west and east. The Village Specific Plan takes these vistas into account by requiring stepbacks from the side streets on the upper levels and a chamfer corner at the first level of proposed corner lots buildings. This design detail helps to reduce the adverse visual impacts associated with view corridor blockage, but does not completely eliminate adverse effects on views not located along the east-west street corridors. The proposed changes would potentially result in a moderate impact on some scenic vistas not located along east-west street corridors, such as View D1 and mitigation may be required. Ultimately, the Design Review Ordinance requires projects to be designed so that they do not unreasonably block significant public coastal views or scenic views from the primary living area of residences. With the implementation of the Design Review Ordinance through the Design Review Board review process, potentially significant scenic vista impacts would be mitigated.Therefore, the proposed project is considered to have a significant impact on scenic vistas. This impact would be considered unmitigable. Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within the Village area defined by the Specific Plan Boundary? The traffic circles and the realignment of the street have the potential to reduce the number of mature trees found along Camino del Mar. Other trees will be removed, but many more will be added as a result of the proposed new developments and streetscape improvements. These tree removals and additions would have the potential for either an adverse or positive change to the visual environment depending on the viewer and the viewer location. The removal of mature trees could potentially open views to the ocean. However, the trees along Camino del Mar are also considered to be characteristic of the Del Mar setting and are a scenic resource and help to strengthen the vividness of the City. The proposed specific plan does not make recommendations to remove or modify any existing historic buildings; therefore, there are no adverse changes to the historic buildings. The view of the ocean must be considered as a scenic resource. The increase in building heights proposed in the Village Specific Plan may result in a full or partial blocked view of the ocean for a variety of viewer groups. As a viewer moves up the hillside to the east, the resulting visual impact becomes less adverse because of the changing perspective resulting from rising topography. The combination of these changes would result in a moderate to high visual impact and would need to be mitigated. Therefore, a significant impact to scenic resources and visual resources would be expected, some of which can be mitigated through replacement of visual resources and the Design Review Board review process. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 66 Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? The existing character of Del Mar is moderate in vividness, intactness, and unity. Most of the existing inconsistencies are the varying building setbacks and the lack of a visually identifiable pedestrian environment. The proposed changes in the Village Specific Plan would create a uniform visual environment. The proposed changes would result in a low visual impact and in some situations, would actually improve the visual character and quality of the site. There may be some circumstances where visual character may be removed and not replaced with the same level of pedestrian scale, building material quality and overall character. However, it is assumed that through the application of design guidelines and the Design Review Board process, that projects will be of a higher quality and will address the visual character of the area and any removal of character elements will be replaced by new improvements. Therefore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant impact on the visual character or visual quality of the specific plan area. Create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Shade calculations on adjacent residential units were completed for the longest day of the year, December 22. Using computer modeling, it has been determined that the proposed increase in the height of the building will not result in a low adverse change to the shadow pattern on adjacent buildings. Existing conditions currently result in a partial shade pattern on the façade of residential buildings at 8am; however, the shade pattern disappears from the façade by 9am. The same is true when the building heights are increased. Computer modeling was also used to evaluate the shade patterns on Camino del Mar during the equinox and solstice. The models showed an increase in shadow patterns as the building heights increased. During the longest day of the year, shadow patterns form the buildings on the west side of the street stretched to the median by mid afternoon, but did not shade the entire corridor of Camino del Mar. The proposed setbacks and articulation in the buildings will result in more light coming through the buildings to Camino del Mar, and therefore results in a low adverse change. The proposed building height increase would result in a low adverse change to the glare and ambient light into the nighttime sky. This impact would not be considered to be significant. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 67 7.0 VISUAL MITIGATION 7.1 Visual Mitigation Options Visual mitigation for moderate to highly adverse project impacts addressed in the key view simulation assessments of the previous chapter, are discussed below. Implementation of the following mitigation measures will reduce impacts of the project. · Because it is impossible to determine the impact on individual residents within this study, the proposed project is subject to design review to guard against unreasonable view blockage from public areas or from neighboring properties. Story poles will be erected to fully determine visual impact of individual residence as part of the Design Review process. The Design Review Board will review the proposed development’s affect on individual residence on a project-by project basis. The views will be evaluated from each residence, based on the property owner’s primary viewing location within the residence. · The proposed Village Specific Plan required stepbacks and the articulation of roofs on buildings. This variety in architecture will result in more light into the project and adjacent residential units as well as increased visual interest. · Mature trees are considered to be a scenic resource and add to the vividness and intactness of the City. A few of these trees may be disturbed with the realignment of median and the addition of roundabouts per the improvements in the Village Specific Plan. A tree replacement or relocation plan should be created and implemented to reduce the visual impacts because of the tree removal. Any tree requiring removal should be replaced with a tree of similar size or relocated in close proximity to the existing tree without blocking scenic views to the ocean. · Where setbacks of the proposed building occur on Camino del Mar, the space between the building and curb shall be utilized for the pedestrian. Amenities such as awnings, outdoor dining, seating, shopping, and plant material must be used to enhance the pedestrian scale. · Cohesive site amenities should be utilized throughout the Del Mar Village to create visual intactness in the urban setting. This will improve the unity and intactness of the Village and enhance the visual pedestrian setting. Consistent site amenities are shown on the following pages. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 68 7.2 Visual Impacts After Mitigations · Substantial impacts on scenic vistas With the implementation of Design Review Board review, the use of story poles, setbacks, stepbacks and corner lot 45 degree chamfers on corner lots, the significant impact on scenic vistas would be avoided. The Design Review Ordinance would ultimately not allow redevelopment that would substantially impact scenic vistascan be lessened but they would remain significant after mitigations. Since the view blockage cannot be eliminated, its impacts would be, but not to a level below significance. · Substantial impacts on visual resources With the protection of significant tree resources found in the corridor and the replacement of trees that are to be removed in accordance with the Tree Ordinance, this significant impact on visual resources in the specific plan area, would be reduced to below a level of significance. The mitigation assumes that approximately 50% of the biomass removed, would be replaced and that this bio- mass would grown to approximately 75% of the removed tree resources within a 3-5 year period. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 69 Benches with City Branding Sidewalks with a consistent finish and a minimum width throughout the Village Tree Grates Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 70 Planting Signage with City Branding Trash and Recycling Receptacle with City Branding Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | 71 8.0 REFERENCES Camino del Mar Streetscape Plan, Andrew Spurlock Martin Poirier Landscape Architects, December 1996. The Community Plan for the City of Del Mar, California, March 1976 with 1985 amendments. U.S.D.O.T., Federal Highway Administration, Office of Environmental Policy, Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects, U. S. Department of Transportation. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-1 APPENDIX A CANDIDATE KEY VIEWS The locations of these keyviews are shown on the photo location map on the following page. Based on fieldwork, viewer groups, probable changes, viewing duration, and viewer sensitivity, candidate key views were selected and building massings were draped over the existing conditions to help understand the impacts of the Specific Plan. The yellow masses indicate a maximum building envelope for the west side of Camino del Mar, and the red buildings represent the maximum building envelopes on the east side of the street. Please note the massing overlays are not intended to look realistic in any manner, and foreground elements have not been removed, so some perspective distortions do exist in these graphics. Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-2 Candidate Key View Photo Location Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-3 Candidate Key View #1 This view looks west from the north side of 15th Street at 412 15th. This view is not recommended for simulation. This view shows the affect of the 30’ maximum height on the ocean view; it does not interrupt the horizon line. Candidate Key View #1 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-4 Candidate Key View #2 This view looks southwest from the north side of 15th Street at 412 15th. This view is not recommended for simulation since the proposed changes will not interrupt the horizon line. Candidate Key View #2 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-5 Candidate Key View #3 This view looks west from the north side of 15th Street at 383 15th. This view is not recommended for simulation since potential changes do not fully block the horizon. Candidate Key View #3 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-6 Candidate Key View #4 This view looks west from the parking lot east of Maiden between 14th Street and Parish. This view is not recommended for simulation since current regulations would block view. Candidate Key View #4 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-7 Candidate Key View #5 This view looks west from the east side of Maiden between 14th and 15th Street. This view is not recommended for simulation since it would be blocked by current regulations. Candidate Key View #5 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-8 Candidate Key View #6 This view looks west from the south side of 14th street at 349 14th. This view is not recommended for simulation because the existing foreground vegetation blocks the proposed changes. Candidate Key View #6 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-9 Candidate Key View #7 This view looks west from the south side of 14th street at 323 14th. This view is not recommended for simulation as a sequence as the building in the foreground will most likely not change. Candidate Key View #7 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-10 Candidate Key View #8 This view looks west from the north side of 14th Street at 327 14th. This view is not recommended for simulation it be used in a sequence with Error! Reference source not found.and Error! Reference source not found.. Candidate Key View #8 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-11 Candidate Key View #9 This view looks west from the southeast side of the intersection of 14th Street and Maiden. This view is not recommended for simulation as the building in the foreground will most likely not change. Candidate Key View #9 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-12 Candidate Key View #10 This view looks west from the northwest side of the intersection of 14th Street and Maiden. This view is not recommended for simulation, but shows a sequence of views to the horizon line the with Error! Reference source not found.. Candidate Key View #10 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-13 Candidate Key View #11 This view looks west from the north side of 14th Street at 309 14th. This view is not recommended but shows how the view corridor could be kept open if development was not allowed in the street extension. Candidate Key View #11 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-14 Candidate Key View #12 This view looks west from the east side of Camino del Mar between 13th Street and 14th Street. This view is not recommended for simulation since no ocean view exists. Candidate Key View #12 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-15 Candidate Key View #13 This view looks west from the north side of 13th Street at the Del Mar. This view is not recommended for simulation since only a minor view opening exists. Candidate Key View #13 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-16 Candidate Key View #14 This view looks west from the north side of 13th Street at the Del Mar. This view is not recommended for simulation since only a minor view opening exists. Candidate Key View #14 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-17 Candidate Key View #15 This view looks west from the south side of 13th Street at 305. This view is not recommended for simulation since a 14’ building would block the view. Candidate Key View #15 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-18 Candidate Key View #16 This view looks west from the east side of Camino del Mar at 1247 Camino Del Mar. This view is not recommended for simulation since a 14’ building would block the view. Candidate Key View #16 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-19 Candidate Key View #17 This view looks west from the north side of 12th Street at 38112th. This view is not recommend for simulation but shows the stepbacks on the side street and the heavy vegetation blocks some views. Candidate Key View #17 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-20 Candidate Key View #18 This view looks west from the south side of 12th Street at 389 12th. This view is not recommended for simulation due to the background vegetation. Candidate Key View #18 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-21 Candidate Key View #19 This view looks south at the intersection of 11th Street and Camino del Mar. This view is not recommended for simulation since the existing buildings most likely will not change with the proposed heights and FAR’s. Candidate Key View #19 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-22 Candidate Key View #20 This view looks west from the south side of 11th Street at 331 11th. This view is not recommended for simulation since too much vegetation blocks the view. Candidate Key View #20 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-23 Candidate Key View #21 This view looks west from the south side of 11th Street at 317 11th. This view is not recommended for simulation but shows a corner lot setback and could show a roundabout in the simulation as well. Candidate Key View #21 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-24 Candidate Key View #22 This view looks northwest from the south side of 10th Street at 411 10th. This view is not recommended for simulation, but shows the proposed building are less of an impact moving up the hill. Candidate Key View #22 Visual Impact Assessment VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN July March 2012 Page | A-25 Candidate Key View #23 This view looks south at the intersection of 9th Street and Camino del. This view is not recommended for simulation of the roundabout. Candidate Key View #23 From:Davina To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on Hawsii General Plan Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 10:07:38 AM This General Plan needs to be thrown out and redone! Here are a some reasons why: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANYconcerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing orpotential active living corridors that should be incorporatedinto the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursuethe acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want toacquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are naturalresources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue"acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there isno climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is thechange these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." TheConstitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to"demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf This General Plan must be redone with the people and the feature keiki in mind, which this plan does not do! With Aloha & Gratitude,Davina Mar Live Aloha Love Now From:kanaloaleohano To:WPCtestimony Subject:COMMENTS regarding proposed "General Plan" Date:Friday, November 1, 2024 8:44:59 PM 1. The entire thing needs to be re-done by people who love people -- not profit, that is by people who work from the SPIRIT of the State Constitution section 5-7.5 regardingALOHA SPIRIT. To quote: "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. The current draft involves people inpower who are seeking to line their own pockets. Stop. Seriously, dump the wholething. IT IS OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN BY SOMEONE IN THE PAY OF Blackrock,Vanguard, Gates, Soros, or any number of other disgusting, money-printing entities. The core of the document is: "The Countyʻs desired land use development pattern." THIS IS NOT FOR THE COUNTY TO DECIDE !!!! As noted in #11 below: Our micro- climates are so vast and varied there is NO CHANCE that anyone at the County level would know what needs to go where. THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY LIVING ON, BY WALKING, THE LAND. Leave people to make their OWN DECISIONS about what to do with their own land. 2. The State, and the County, have NO RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LAND !! and any reference to such in this proposed document should be removed!!! And, the State has NO RIGHT to any County property, and none should be handed over without agreement of ancestral owners and local residents, and NO HARBOR SHOULD BE HANDED TO THE STATE. Remove any reference to "Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island and the State should NOT BE MANAGING our island. 3. There is no such thing as "climate change" caused by humans, and anything referring to such should be entirely removed. https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ Remove ANY reference to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Remove ANY reference to "decarbonizing." 4. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because Maui has shown the pain, suffering and financial loss such government over-reach leads to. 5. Remove the section 17.4, Page 111, because a person applying for land use clearance should not involve the government attempting to grab their land. 6. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "homeowner" or "farmer". 7. Leave the zoning alone. Leave it alone. 8. Remove ANY reference to "digital literacy" and its related "5G"-type insanity. BETTER TO PUT SOMETHING ABOUT "FARMING LITERACY" OR "FISHING LITERACY" OR "HUNTING LITERACY". Remove ANY reference to prioritizing digital above actual. There is nothing in this proposed document about PRIORITIZING FARMING, FISHPOND CARE AND MAINTENANCE, and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and THERE SHOULD BE !!!!! 9. Remove the words "equity" and "equitable" from everywhere they appear. We need EQUALITY of opportunity, NOT equity of results !!!! People need to work for what they get, and people who have worked and succeeded need to keep the fruits of their labors. THERE WILL NEVER BE EQUITY, LEGISLATED OR NOT!!!! "Safe and affordable utilities" are NOT a right! People need to work for what they get! 10. Remove the word "sustainability" from everywhere it appears. This is NOT something that can be regulated into existence!!! It is a loosey-goosey term that has NO SCIENTIFIC PARAMETERS, NO EFFECTIVE DEFINITION for anything to do with lawmaking !! 11. Remove ANY proposed regulation that would increase restriction or result in ANY fee to a farmer. We need food !! 12. Remove ANY proposed requirement for a permit. We have too many of these already. 13. Remove ANY reference to "incinerator" -- "waste-to-energy" or ANY other use. NO resident wants such, and we have stated such in the past UNEQUIVOCALLY. 14. Remove ANY proposed map of land use. Our micro-climates are so vast and varied there is NO CHANCE that anyone making a map would know what needs to go where. THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY LIVING ON, BY WALKING, THE LAND. Leave people to make their OWN DECISIONS about what to do with their own land. Remove the word "conform" any time it has ANYTHING to do with private land use. 15. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the heinous, despicable, insane, terrible, egregious concept of "smart" cities. In fact, remove EVERYTHING that has ANYTHING to do with the "SMART" acronym and / or idea. 16. Remove ANY reference to digital currencies. 17. Remove ANY reference to clusters of population, or "site clustering of development". This island is NOT THE PLACE for such ideas. We are farmers. REMOVE section 4.5.1. Remove ANY reference to population density or "clusters". This island is NOT THE PLACE for such ideas. ALSO, IT IS INSANE TO PRIORITIZE WALKING AND BICYCLING OVER CARS ON THIS ISLAND. No farmer is going to walk or bicycle to get his / her produce to market !!!! 18. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 19. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed general plan. 20. Remove ANY reference to "incentive" in regard to taxes on peopleʻs land, such as to "incentivize" them to build "affordable" housing. This is a COMPLETELY WRONG way to get "affordable" housing built. MUCH MORE IMPORTANT would be to "incentivize" clean industries to move to our island, where people would be able to get employment to AFFORD good housing. In fact, THERE ISNOTHING IN THE DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH !!! WHY NOT? 21. Remove ANY concept that would involve "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land. 22. Housing developers should not be released from requirements to build infrastructure and should have to post a bond, so we stop having them "get away with" never completing promised roads, etc. 23. Prohibit 5G, or 6G, or whatever they come up with that is similar. 24. All current use of septic or cesspool should be grandfathered-in, with only changes made at a market-rate sale of a property. There are VERY FEW areas where household waste water affects the ocean or inland water. Take care ofthose few places, leave everything else alone. And this has NOTHING to do with centralized wastewater -- not on our lava-rock island!!! In fact, there should be an AUDIT of CURRENT centralized wastewater facilities, as there are problems with some of them!!! 25. Get Pohakuloa Military Base to stop polluting. NO "TREATED" WASTEWATER for any food or farming use. 26. Pohakuloa Military Base gets its land for a dollar a year and shoots weapons directly above our islandʻs largest aquifer. Get them to stop! 27. Remove ANY reference to incentivizing or regulating water use. THIS IS NOTTHE PLACE FOR SUCH. We have water-use people already taking care of this. "Water commitments" are something the DWS should take care of -- or individual bills introduced to remedy any problem. 28. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 29. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 30. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. WHAT ALREADY HAS BEEN SAID, AND I REPEAT: General Plan 2045 references ʻeconomic growthʻ but does not discuss in any way the drivers of the economy. It SHOULD be a study and plan, on how best to support: FarmersProducers of Goods Providers of Services .....so we can build a great economy together. Rather, it seeks to: restrict, impose fees, place taxes ... pays attention to airportterminals and harbors, transportation and urban development -- nothing that is alive and producing value for our economy, but tools that are needed by people who ARE alive and producing, so should not be used as a way to rake in money for civil servant salaries.Supposedly a plan about development, it barely mentions the Farmers, Producers of Goods, Providers of Services, barely mentions: Agriculture CommerceIndustries Jobs Economic Activities It wants to make everyone walk, ride a bike or take a bus. Nuts. Dump the whole thing. From:Adam Roberts To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan comments Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 6:55:53 PM Aloha, In general this plan is vague and has undefined terms. It is disturbing that the county is implementing a general plan while the vast majority of the residents have no idea that this exists and is being implemented. Something so important should have been broadcast to all taxpaying citizens. These are the "stakeholders". The undefined terms and unsupported references make much of the plan unactionable. It breeds the ability for the county to interpret this however it benefits them best, and not necessarily the people of Hawaii. Here are just a few of my concerns with this plan. Infrastructure: One water strategy does not fit Big Island’s diverse areas. There should be no control on the public’s water. Relocating bridges to save miles driven seems very labor intensive and unnecessary. The general plan specifies Social Equality in decision making, however, most people have no idea what the general plan is when I mention it to them. There has not been enough advertisement on this and education for the public. We all receive tax bills in the mail from the county , but the county did not send anything to us regarding this very important plan. It should be in every single resident’s mailbox. There should be clear wording and an extensive revision time so that all needs are met and concerns addressed. I would also like to add that this document is extensive and difficult for the average person to have time to read. Please do not hinder public access to public lands. 3.2 The word acquisition is very concerning here. Whose land are you going to acquire and how? 13.41 What is adequately served by infrastructure? What does that mean? Obj 14 Please do not reclassify land without the owner's permission. 14b What does this mean? Home occupancy negatively impact rural character? 4.1.6 Highest and best use of AG land. Who decides what this is? Protecting farmers and homeowners land rights is imperative! AG 15.5 YES ! Please support visitor accommodations that support AG. This is the direction we should be going 100%! Please do not limit those accommodations! Allow them to be farm houses, ohanas, yurts, camping areas, etc. 4.2.2 Encourage energy efficient transportation, but do not punish those who do not or cannot use it. 4.2.3 Please open the mountains for more hiking and public enjoyment. 18.3 yes! Please increase transit to education centers and places of employment. Please consider those coming from rural areas and also the time that most people get off work or school is around 5 or sometimes later. Last bus currently leaves Hilo Community College at 3:40pm for Ocean View-as an example. 24.9 Please do not further restrict small community clubs, like the sailing club. They have seen higher fees and they are a much needed community group! Section 4.3.1, Table 33, Subsection Electricity & Energy, Bullet 5: This point is vague at best. There are no studies cited to prove the claims. What energy practices? How do they offload costs to other communities to offset positive climate action? Section 4.3.1, Table 33, Subsection Electricity & Energy, Bullet 6: What is the point of this statement? Section 4.3.1, Table 33, Subsection Telecommunications & Broadband, Bullet 3: Define accurate digital literacy data. This has the potential to violate our right to privacy. Section 4.3.1, Table 33, Subsection Telecommunications & Broadband, Bullet 5: Streamlining the permitting and approval processes for large communications companies rather than focusing on streamlining the process for residential construction is telling of the counties priorities. It has been stated by the county on multiple occasions there is a housing crisis, however, acquiring building permits is extremely difficult and inefficient. Fixing what is broken in the planning process is needed before making things easier for large companies. 4.3.2 Objective 25, Bullet 25.5: Clustering of Developments, or its equivalent, is stated multiple times throughout this document. Define the process of clustering of developments. This needs to be detailed and not ambiguous. Should this remain vague, it becomes clear there is malicious intent against the people of Hawaii. There are multiple items I did not see in the general plan. 1. Providing better police force to handle situations, especially in rural areas where response time can be 3 hours or more. 2. Providing solutions for the dog issue on this island. Countless people have been attacked by stray dogs, and many of them injured, at least one dead. This should be one of the top issues to address and make a solid plan to deal with. It involves many areas of this island, especially rural areas. The problem is growing and the “solutions” currently are not working. We need to make our streets safe again. We need to make our neighborhoods safe again. These dogs wipe out entire herds of goats, flocks of chickens, household pets including other small dogs, and cats. It is absolutely unacceptable that it continues on like it does. The noise issue is also in need of being addressed. From:Sophia"s Mom To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on the General Plan for the 3rd Time this year. Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 10:52:51 PM Aloha Honorabke County Officials, I spent a lot of time making online comments on the general plan that you proposed and I testified already, online with you, on zoom. It seems that the county doesn’t understand our objections to the current changes in the plan, which talk about things that appear to indicate that we would want smart cities, and that wewould want stakeholders versus homeowners. We farmers are just not making our thoughts clear to The Hawai’i County leadership? We prefer the general plan from 2005 and amwondering if the new Governor’s leadership is causing this confusion about what we, the people, want. Believe me, we do not want to change that much. We would love to have therights of farmers to keep their land without taxes being levied as if we are in RS neighborhoods, because we’re not doing a business on our agricultural land. It’s hard enoughjust to manage a parcel of agricultural land, much less make it into a new business in order to afford the taxes on it. There’s no money in selling vegetables and fruit! You get like very littlemoney selling fruit & vegetables and it takes a lot of time, plus it’s only good for so long. very few of us are able to manage large animals. The people. I know that are doing that are alreadyrich because they had money to buy large tracks of land, which the animals require. They could afford to build butchering capacity. That’s very few people. Most of them made theirmoney in the business world on the mainland and moved here. I tried to explain to the county there’s a lot of stress and mental illness being in farming. Plus the suicide rate is high forfarmers!!! if you would like statistics on this, I would be glad to provide them. You haven’t worked so hard as to run a farm but when things get tight and there’s no food coming in at theport, believe me you’ll want us around. Let’s go back to the way it was and forget all this highfalutin attempts to become somethingthat we’re not, profit-centered business people who farm. We are families who produce food for our own consumption and give away what we don’t eat to the community, not via formal501 C3’s, which is difficult to say the least. There’s only a couple of those available in my area.I don’t know why you didn’t hear the Farmer’s saying “look if you raise my taxes this much, I have to sell my land”! I can’t survive on retirement and Social Security and pay those kind oftaxes. Let’s support ag. which is what Hawaii island is supposed to be all about. The general plan is not making agricultural production by our homeowners a priority anymore with thisplan. Nix it! Let’s be ‘homeowner centered-Farmer centered’ and not ‘stakeholder centered’. Mahalo for considering our views,April Lee Hawi,HI 96719 Sent from Proton Mail for iOS From:Barbara Jossy To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on General Plan 2045/Go back to GP 2005 Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 10:28:19 PM Aloha, Please go back to the 2005 General Plan which supports thriving communities and stewardship of the land and throw out the current 2045 plan which has taken a drastic 180 turnfrom these priorities. I find the 2045 plan too vague with many concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms and property will be put at risk. The many regulations this plan would put on current andfuture generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more fines is completely unacceptable. I agree with the specific problems with this plan as outlined by Michelle Melendez and wishthat I could be at this meeting in person to stand against this 2045 plan. Again, I ask you to throw out the 2045 plan and go back to the 2005 General Plan, created by people who knowHawaii, her people and the land, which is in the best interest of the homeowner’s, farmers and all people of the Big Island! Mahalo! Barbara Jossy Get Outlook for iOS From:Chicken Little To:WPCtestimony Subject:SOS : Big Island Plan Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 12:39:35 PM PLEASE GO BACK TO 2005 PLAN! From:sharkgssTo:WPCtestimonySubject:Testimony Hawaii General Plan - NEEDS MAJOR OVERHAULDate:Sunday, November 3, 2024 4:38:16 PMAttachments:image.pngimage.png Aloha, After commenting on the 2045 General Plan online, providing extensive testimony and attending workshops it is clear this document needs a great deal of revision and citizens are not aligned with the draconian template handed down to local communities in Western countries by the World Economic Forum. Theoriginal version in 2005 plan contains the words "homeowner" and "farmer" while the 2045 plan is written by and for "stakeholders!" This is outrageous and the words "homeowner" and "farmer" do not appear anywhere! "Farmer" is in the 2005 GENERAL PLAN fourteen (14) times and "homeowner" appears four (4) times. In addition to my original testimonies below being re-submitted I want to add a few more points: 1. The State and the County corporations have no right to acquire land. The State has no right to any County property, including harbors. 2. Remove any reference to "Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan" it is not relevant for our island. 3. Remove reference to climate change caused by humans, this is unproven and being used as a psychological control mechanism by the top 1%. This includes removing references to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Carbon dioxide sequestration is a really really stupid idea, waste of tax payer funds, and will further degrade our flora. 4. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because State and County corporations are not acting on behalf of its residents and clearly acting on behalf of stakeholders. 5. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "land owner" or "farmer/rancher". 6. Zoning needs to be re-visited - why is Agricultural land being reduced by 40%, unacceptable!!! 7. Remove the words "equity" and "equitable" from everywhere they appear. More emphasis should be on equality of opportunity rather than equity of results. We do not want to move into communism, people need to work for what they get, and people who have worked and succeeded need to keep the fruits of their labors. Equity cannot be legislated. 8. Remove the word "sustainability" from everywhere it appears. This term has NO SCIENTIFIC PARAMETERS, NO EFFECTIVE DEFINITION for anything to do with lawmaking !! 9. Revise the proposed land use maps, they are not fully relevant to our vast micro climates. 10. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the egregious concept of "smart" cities. This is a rural island. 11. Remove ANY reference to digital currencies. 12. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 13. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed general plan. 14. Reword the governments intention for "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land that will not be a violation of privacy rights. 15. Add language regarding the danger of 5G and beyond technology easements and studies. 16. Remove ANY reference to incentivizing or regulating water use and incentivize catchment. 17. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 18. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 19. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. Testimony submitted 27 March 2024 Aloha, Please consider appointing a team comprised of "stewards" of the community to review and re-write this document. We need a plan that is by the people and for the people. Providing comments on the county version live document is a very cumbersome process and not user friendly. Below are relevant comments combined from a few county residents including myself. Mahalo, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI General Comments are as follows:Suggest subtitle “Stewardship Plan for Hawai’i County” Overall the plan lacks presentation of relevant issues, proposes some harmful initiatives, contains garbled language, and lacks vital public input. There is no clear plan for strengthening infrastructure and power grid against space weather. Stakeholders are stated in the document 47 times. Who are the Stakeholders and Partners with the government? What private and nonprofit agencies are involved in this process? It is deeply concerning that partnership with landowners and the general public is not stated anywhere. The plan should not be finalized until the State legislative session is over, the Governor is done signing/vetoing bills, and the override deadline has passed to allow for accommodation of relevant changes. The document appears to be a template handed down from the United Nations Agenda 21 initiative that is using human based climate change models to implement a one world government attempting to "capture" local governments. Thousands of scientists have come forward in recent years explaining that the human effect on climate is minuscule as compared to the sun. The document contains no explanation how the county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications) due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been diligently preparing for. This document lacks sufficient detail in many areas to include tables, and maps. Syntax is sometimes garbled. Few acronyms are explained. There are notes indicating information may be added later. The table of contents and appendix are missing. Concerns raised by commenters need to be addressed, and another round of public meetings held, before the plan goes to the Planning Commissions and County Council. The comment period needs to be extended, the document is too vague and the code of ethics and professional conduct of the American Institute of Certified Planners shall provide timely, adequate, clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and to governmental decision makers. See page 4. Purpose and Authority Authority Limits of the General Plan The 2045 General Plan contains no authority to change previously existing subdivisions or Zoning without collective collaboration. It's hard for community collaboration when the document contains obscure and garbled language. Clarify what is meant by “specific to the actions” and “because, as” Hawaiʻi Island Goals The goals of the General Plan synthesize those concepts and value statements adopted by ordinance in the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. The appendix includes tables used to complete the goals, including the source material from the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. page 8 The LUPAG maps contain numerous zoning changes. Regulatory Implementing Actions in the 2045 General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter §3-15. p. 7 Climate Mitigation A great deal of content is based on Climate Mitigation from human activity which has a minuscule effect on the earth's overall climate. Over 99% of the climate affects are driven by solar activity, cycles, and space weather. The document completely fails to mention the threat of space weather and is almost entirely focused on carbon emissions promoted by the United Nations Climate Agenda. Our Federal Government has been preparing for space weather threats for many years, yet the Hawai'i island plan lacks any reference to this even though critical infrastructure (energy, communications, transportation, and supply chain) is at risk due to increased solar radiation from our weakening magnetosphere. In 2015 the magnetosphere was down by 40% according to this Federal Doc. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1040918#:~:text=The%20research%20evaluates%20the%20impacts,reversals%20and%20adverse%20space%20weather In October of 2016 President Obama issued the following executive order Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events - Executive order 13744 (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-201600692 ) Section 1. Policy. Space weather events, in the form of solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances, occur regularly, some with measurable effects on critical infrastructure systems and technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations and communication, aviation, and the electrical power grid. Extreme space weather events—those that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure—could disable large portions of the electrical power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare, and transportation. Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector. It is the policy of the United States to prepare for space weather events to minimize the extent of economic loss and human hardship. The Federal Government must have (1) the capability to predict and detect a space weather event, (2) the plans and programs necessary to alert the public and private sectors to enable mitigating actions for an impending space weather event, (3) the protection and mitigation plans, protocols, and standards required to reduce risks to critical infrastructure prior to and during a credible threat, and (4) the ability to respond to and recover from the effects of space weather. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate their efforts to prepare for the effects of space weather events. Sec. 2. Objectives. This order defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather. These activities are to be implemented in conjunction with those identified in the 2015 National Space Weather Action Plan (Action Plan) and any subsequent updates. Implementing this order and the Action Plan will require the Federal Government to work across agencies and to develop, as appropriate, enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; academia; non-profits; the private sector; and international partners. These efforts will enhance national preparedness and speed the creation of a space-weather-ready Nation. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events In October 2016 (about 10 days before the above executive order was signed) the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers.This was a massive exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. A spokesman said in a statement: “The main goal of the drill is to practice organization of management during civil defense events and emergency and fire management, to check preparedness of management bodies and forces of civil defense on all levels to respond to natural and man-made disasters and to take civil defense measures.” https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Additional info on this: Cataclysmic Polarity Shift , Part 2 - How Can I Prepare For Such An Event? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSHnF2PTz5s Safe Zones and Disasters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpILRrxCMiw Solar Micronova is Going to Happenhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEMXp1HlzUs&t=0s Earth Disaster is Coming | ALL The Evidence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j635Cv2aOlA&t=0s Man made geoengineering is an operation primarily used to block out solar radiation and create, distribute, and deflect weather systems. Its use over many decades is outside the scope of public knowledge and having significant impacts on our environment/weather to include increased super storms, fires, flooding, droughts, and causing very high levels of aluminum in the soil and tissue samples of all mammals. I personally have tested hundreds of humans and animals and seen very high levels in all hair analysis tests. This is why Monsanto developed aluminum resistant seeds, soil in North America is testing 40,000 times higher rates of aluminum in the last 2 decades. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ Tennessee and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills to ban this practice. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/03/20/tennessee-senate-passes-bill-banning-chemtrails-what-to-know/73027586007/ Maui county council passed a bill in 2010 to ban geoengineering and this link explains how it is being used to lessen the effects of solar radiation. There has been no public oversight or consent to these projects.http://mauiskywatch.org/info-official-reports/ It is clear based on the above information the governments of the world are preparing for space weather effects due to the weakening magnetic field, therefore it is critical that the county review and adopt their own contingency plans. Hawaii county should implement a ban on geoengineering before soil is too toxic with aluminum and when combined with glyphosate it can cross the blood brain barrier. Some suggested solutions are environmentally unfriendly, and nuclear power is catastrophically dangerous. Potential of micro nuclear was mentioned on page 15. Hawaii State Constitution, article XI, section 8 NUCLEAR ENERGY Section 8. No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature. We live on an active volcano with frequent earthquakes, threats of hurricanes, tsunamis and unexpected lava flows. Having a nuclear power plant on this island is a huge liability. It could be cataclysmic and there will always be the issue of storage leaks. In 2011 I experienced the 5.8 earthquake in Orange, VA. It shut down the Lake Anna Nuclear facility for almost 2 years. There are numerous other types of energy to explore, to include water generated motors that are now used in places like Pakistan and India. These kits allow existing vehicles to be fitted that use only 2% fuel consumption and 98% water. We should be looking at ways to harness ocean water for energy. The ocean thermal energy conversion, or OTEC, which uses seawater to turn solar energy into electricity or hydrokinetic energy or marine renewable energy, is a renewable power source that is harnessed from the natural movement of water, including waves, tides, and river and ocean currents. These should be considered since water surrounds the entire island. Climate change threats p. 19 3.3 Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts. Hawai'i County needs to first and foremost collaborate with the general public. Transparency is needed on exactly how government agencies, private corporations, nonprofit agencies are involved and explain who these “stakeholders” are. The planning department should take into consideration that over 1,900 scientists from around the world have signed a declaration that there is no climate emergency. Climate change has been occurring on this planet all along driven by solar activity and cycles. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WCD-version-081423.pdf John Coleman, the founder of the weather channel, the first meteorologist on Good Morning America in the 1970’s and the winner of the Meteorologist of the Year award by the US Association for Meteorology in 1982, has spent 60 years studying the weather. He presents his view that there is no significant man-made global warming in this half-hour PowerPoint presentation. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=ZuTpJ-bEnNPCGOkf WASTE-TO-ENERGYTwo “waste-to-energy” proposals (2008 and 2015) for Hawai’i Island were rejected after months of divisive debate. It was concluded the island doesn’t generate enough garbage to make it cost effective. O’ahu taxpayers are paying penalties to H-Powerbecause O’ahu can’t generate enough waste to fulfill the contract. While some advanced waste treatment technologies are promoted as alternative energy producing, the energy conserved by recycling and composting the source materials exceeds the amount of energy produced by these technologies by three to five times. There are some "glass type" building materials that can be produced by the incineration process. Incineration is a form of Destructive Disposal via combustion or thermal conversion/treatment, using high temperatures of discarded materials into ash/slag, syngas, flue gas, fuel, or heat. Incineration includes facilities and processes that may be stationary or mobile, may recover energy from heat or power and may use single or multiple stages. Some forms of incineration may be described as resource recovery, energy recovery, trash to steam, waste to energy, energy from waste, fluidized bed, catalytic cracking, biomass15, steam electric power plant (burning waste), pyrolysis, thermolysis, gasification, plasma arc, thermal depolymerization or refuse derived fuel. Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities Section 1: Land UseTable 4: Land Use Challenges RegulationsThe current regulatory process dictates that the State Land Use Commission must preside over boundary amendments that exceed 15 acres, which limits the efficiency of ensuring consistency in the land use pattern. p. 25 Land Use Commission protections against unwise development should be maintained when it comes to outside large scale developers. However, property owners should not have more regulations and rules than they already have. Table 5: Land Use Opportunities Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to address unique land use situations on the island related to individual wastewater systems (IWS) and prioritization of resources. p. 26Clarification is needed on the meaning of land use situations Explain clearly what the “rezoning” will be and clarify if AG land will be affected. The current zoning for Hawaii island is 80% AG. Any reduction of AG is contrary to sustainable production of food. Transparency is needed on what the “preferred land use pattern” is. The current system should remain, so developments are proposed one by one, and agencies and communities have time and energy to address impacts. PoliciesSentence types are mixed, hampering comprehension.4.3 Zoning, subdivision, and other applicable ordinances shall provide for and protect open space areas. These new zonings shall not hinder current land owners who have a right to own their property unhindered by governmental policies. Declarative sentence4.4 Support mechanisms, such as Planned Unit Development and Cluster PlanDevelopment, that cluster density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds. p. 27 Define “cluster density”. This should not be in regards to developing apartment style homes. ENERGY 4.9 Route selection for high-voltage transmission lines should include consideration for setbacks from major thoroughfares and residential areas. Where feasible, delineate energy corridors for such high-voltage transmission lines. p. 27Encourage - incentivize “off grid” or distributed power sources, instead of centralized, to increase resiliency. Priority Actions 4.a Develop a process for County-initiated State Land Use boundary reclassification. p. 28 See related comment for p. 26. Transparency for “boundary reclassification” is needed. What exactly are the boundaries in question and what will it be reclassified to? 6.d Amend the Zoning Code to allow for Planned Unit Developments (PUD) to become administrative permits and subject to the approval of the Planning Director. p. 29 This should be deleted! The people do not want to live in Units and these “planned units” are against current zoning codes. Table 6: Urban Land Use Urban Expansion Reserve Allows for a mix of high density, medium density, low density, industrial-commercial mix, and/or natural designations in areas where growth may be desirable, but where specific settlement and infrastructure have not yet been determined. p. 32 This should be deleted! Mixing housing, industrial, and natural uses can result in severe impacts on safety, health, and natural resources. Priority Actions9.d Amend the Zoning Code and Subdivision Code to establish Clustered Rural Subdivision PUD. p. 60The meaning of “Clustered Rural Subdivision PUD” should be explained. Objective 10 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Policies p. 62 A policy to support small-scale agriculture should be added.10.5 Support the development of small-scale visitor accommodations that directly promote the agriculture industry, health and wellness industry, or are near points of interest. p. 62 Only accommodations that directly promote agriculture should be allowed. More transparency is needed in reference to the “health and wellness industry” and why they are in this section or remove it. Those industries are not an integral part of AG land use. They are a bi-product of good farming practices. 10.6 Any subdivision or farm labor housing complex developed on Productive Agricultural Lands should be clustered to minimize impact. p. 62 Define clustered, subdivisions should not be developed on these lands. There is no proof carbon sequestration will be effective, it is expensive, obtrusive, and the entire premise of global warming from CO2 level increase is unfounded. Earthquakes, eruptions, floods, and other events release carbon stored underground. CO2 only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere and is necessary for photosynthesis. Priority Actions 10.b Conduct a study to review a maximum developed area consideration for properties designated as Productive Agricultural lands. p. 62 This should be deleted. Private property AG land should not be considered for anything other than what the property owner desires. It should not be considered for “maximum development”. 10.c Create and adopt a County Agricultural Tourism program p 62The plan has no merit. Private land owners don’t want to be disturbed. It is also a liability with livestock and trespassing. 10.g Amend the Zoning Code to require Plan Approval for commercial open area recreational uses in the County Agricultural District. p 62 Zoning should NOT be amended in AG land, it is important for sustainability. Section 2: Transportation Access and MobilityTable 18: Transportation Key Trends Investment in Electric Vehicles is counter productive to the environment. Electric Vehicles add a huge strain on the electric grid. They are very costly to own both in price of car, maintenance, and electric bill. The companies that make EV use fossil fuels. The new gas driven cars are much lower in emissions and cheaper to buy. Lastly, the batteries in EVs are dangerous during car accidents and toxic to the environment. Table 20: Transportation OpportunitiesContinuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative Planning p 68 Traffic plans submitted to planning commissions and County Council typically include many pages dealing with vehicular traffic and very few pages on bicycles, walking, wheelchairs, etc. Requirements should be changed so alternative modes receive at least equal consideration, safe bike lanes should be a high priority to cut down emissions. Objective 14 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). p. 78The Planning Department can create easier and safer methods of travel but have no right to dictate how many miles people drive. The people’s right to travel shall not be impeded. Delete this section. Developers should not be granted relief from requirements for sidewalks, bike lanes, etc. Priority Actions p. 78The County traffic lights should be set to staggered operating hours for both public and private sectors, to lessen traffic congestion and improve safety. Drinking Water p 89The County, In cooperation with State and Federal government, should support peopleon catchment with information about system design, construction, operation, troubleshooting, and repair, including readily accessible information and assistance for safeguarding health. Wastewater p 89 Federal government should be removed. This could be a simple information packet that supports off grid lifestyles. Alternatives to sewers and septic systems should be considered, such as toilets that use little or no water, and water recycling. Table 25: Public Utility OpportunitiesBe a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management. p 91 The meaning of “Be a net power producer with…waste management” should be clarified. Add what are the benefits to hydrogen fuel, how will vehicles be retrofitted to carry this technology? Priority ActionsDrinking-Water Conservation p 102New water bottling plants should be prohibited to prevent depletion of the aquifer. Drinking-Water Prioritization p. 102 There should be standard requirements for new water wells so parts areinterchangeable. Presently, different developers install different types of wells. So when repairs are needed, parts are not interchangeable and must be special ordered, often with lengthy delays. 23.k Develop criteria and standards for all variances in water supply p 103“Variances in water supply” should be explained. 3.5: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse p. 105 Water recycling should be encouraged wherever possible.24.n Amend HCC, Section 21-26-1(a) requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council” to read, “all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” p 109This should be deleted and County Council oversight should be maintained. This is an overreach of the government. Section 4: Public Facilities and Services 4.1: IntroductionTable 29: Public Facilities and Services Opportunities Solid Waste Investigate and implement innovative waste management technologies and practices, which may include...waste-to-energy conversion...p. 118 “waste-to-energy conversion” should be deleted. See comments for p. 15. 4.5: RecreationObjective 30Priority Actions Recreational Facilities Maintenance and Improvement 30.y…Note: Edit to reflect future code updates. p. 13830.z …Note: Confirm that this is adequate. p. 138The edit and confirmation should have been in the draft plan so the public could Comment. 4.6: Community Health and Wellness Objective 31Priority Actions31.h Amend county zoning and building codes as necessary to accommodate home and community-based care elderly care. PD Phase 1 CODE AMENDMENT p. 144Add “and residential facilities for people with disabilities”. Section 5: Housing for All Priority ActionsNeighborhood covenants that require houses to have a minimum square footage should be prohibited. This leads to unnecessary expense and unnecessary use of resources, and makes housing unaffordable for many people. Table 40: Economic Key Trends Poverty Persists p. 161 Information on the number of wealthy people on the island to include total land ownership should be included. Job Market CharacteristicsTourism drives the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services industries and much of the retail trade, representing a large portion of employment. p. 162 Measures should be taken to reduce dependence on tourism and focus on producing food and other necessities locally. Table 41: Economic ChallengesGeneral p. 163Data centers are a tremendous drain on electricity and need water for cooling. They generate stressful levels of noise 24 hours a day. Data centers and nuclear power plants should not be considered. Agriculture and Food Systems p.164 Support should be Increased for backyard farmers, including gardening advice. Section 8: Agriculture and Food Systems p. 169This should be section 7, since it is a higher priority. Objective 42 Increase interagency coordination, programs, and policy initiatives that improve localagriculture infrastructure. Priority Actions 42.g Amend bulk regulations including building materials for agricultural facilities and infrastructure. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 Need more transparency. The plan should be specified with proposed amendments. 42.i Evaluate grubbing and grading ordinances as they pertain to agriculture including the creation of exemption categories for water storage and aquaculture. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 42.m Amend Hawai‘i County Code to include provisions for suitable agricultural infrastructure projects financed by County bonds and liens on real property of participating agricultural stakeholders, whether such assessments on TMKs involve contiguous parcels of lands encumbered under an “Agricultural Improvement District”. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 More transparency is needed in regards to County bonds and liens on property. “TMK” should be defined. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Introduction Local EngagementFoster grassroots participation and balancing of interests by providing opportunities for active civic engagement, where citizens have the means to collaborate with the government and are empowered to effect positive change consistent with plans developed under this chapter. p. 202“The government” should be removed and replaced with the County. See comment for p. 182. Community Development Plans p. 204 Urban Development Plans p. 205Special Area Plans p. 206 Public Agency Functional Plans and Programs p. 206 The General Plan draft should cite statutory authority for each of these. Public Agency Functional Plans and Programs p. 206Blocks of text for this section appear to be moved to the wrong spot on the page. Priorities and Phases The first phase is the consistency phase and will require a hard look at our policy and planning framework to ensure consistency with this General Plan. It includes implementation actions such as auditing codes to determine needed updates and updating our Community Development Plans and other relevant plans. p. 209There should be ample opportunity for the public to comment. Transparency regarding which codes will be audited and how is crucial. Phase 1 2024-2029Revamp of CIP process p. 209 “CIP” should be explained. Proposed changes should be more fully described. .COMPARISON OF 2005 AND 2045 PLANSThe 2045 Plan is lacking many features of the 2005 Plan that provided information and facilitated understanding. Public comment is hampered by the lack of a table of contents for 2045, and by no mechanism to copy text from the 2005 plan PDF. 2005 2045Table of Contents none, unless you happen to click on an Icon on the left, which yields a brief table of contents. Things that are needed include: List of Tables List of Maps Statement of assumptions Projections re. employment and population Citation of sources for tables Maps other than LUPAG maps Lava hazard zones Historic sites Schools Libraries Police stations Fire stations Courts Correctional facilities Hospitals Landfills and transfer stations Cemeteries Electric power generating facilities Water wells and springs Wastewater treatment plants Parks—County, State, Federal Roadways—detailed maps for various districts Airports Wharfs and harbors Government owned lands: Federal, State, DHHL Military installations Testimony comments submitted 25 September 2024 click below Aloha, After attending 23 September workshop in Waimea regarding the 2045 Hawaii County plan, it was very clear no one that attended was in favor of the final proposed draft. The language was not practical for the needs of the community with the most common concern being lack of water to sustainthe projected population growth, followed by land use, lack of affordable housing and transportation needs. My intention as a 33 year national security expert is to provide overview testimony of more imminent issues in emergency management we as a community must prepare for in addition to longterm planning based on population growth. Agenda for the 21st Century by Non Governmental Organizations - StakeholdersIn the first sentence of policy rationale executive summary in the 2023 Integrated Climate Action Plan (ICAP) for Hawaii states "The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded in its most recent report that human activities have unequivocally caused globalwarming."https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/135070/County%20of%20Hawaii%20-%20Integrated%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20(2023).pdf This ICAP template is solely focused on human based activities which have less than 1% impact on our climate according to numerous sources. ICAP also fails to mention space weather events which have far more repercussions to all lifeforms and human civilization. The UN and other nongovernmental organizations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) have been touting this narrative for decades as a mechanism to implement Agenda 21. The Hawaii County Planning Department should educate on the history of this agenda which is linked to consolidation of power by the few(Stakeholders) to form a New World Order with full intention to erode individual freedom and sovereign nations. Dr. Jacob Nordangard provides a historical overview in the video link below. These policies fail to uphold our God given rights and legislators captured by this Agenda have already begun tointroduce draconian bills without understanding repercussions of their actions upon the community. https://rumble.com/v1qxp4i--full-history-of-the-wef-un-the-climate-change-hoax-covid-19-and-the-people.html On September 22, 2024 the UN consolidated its reach into sovereign nations despite pushback and adopted the Pact for the Future, in which Heads of State and Government — representing the peoples of the world — made 56 pledges to action seeking to protect the needs and interests of presentand future generations amid the climate change, crisis and conflict currently gripping the globe. "Nevertheless, at the outset of the meeting, the representative of the Russian Federation proposed an amendment (document A/79/L.3) to the Pact, stating that “no one is happy with this text”. Thatamendment proposed the addition of language relating to the United Nations’ intervention in “matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State” and to avoiding certain duplication of effort." https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12627.doc.htm The rationale behind the Hawaii County plan does not address significant earth changes even though world governments have been preparing for decadesAs of 2015 "The Earth’s core is in the midst of a significant change. During the last 400 years, the geomagnetic field, or magnetosphere, has declined in strength by a remarkable 40%. Measurements by ESA’s SWARM geomagnetism monitoring satellite array have further confirmed this change withmeasurements indicating the magnetic field is weakening ten times faster than previously predicted. The weakening trend in the magnetic field clearly shows that the Earth’s core is undergoing a substantial transformation. The Earth’s geomagnetic field is responsible for both shielding the atmosphereand biosphere from the harmful effects of solar and cosmic radiation, and creating conditions on the surface that are ripe for life. The magnetosphere, then, is the invisible barrier that has played a significant role in protecting the Earth from the harmful effects of space."https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1040918.pdf Although man-made weather modification thru geoengineering patents are also implicated for the uptick in many local and regional events to include storms, flooding, and fires (including Lahaina which was blamed on a hurricane over 500 miles away) over the last few decades; it is worth noting that oursun, planetary alignments, cycles, and space weather ultimately drive weather patterns. According to 50 year meteorologist David Dilley among others, we are entering a cooling pattern. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ While non governmental organizations such as the WEF tout climate change is coming from human carbon emissions, world governments are preparing for adverse space weather during a polarity transition building vast underground infrastructure. In October 2016 the Obama administration issued Executive Order 13744 to all departments Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events. This executive order was written after the 2015 research document by Tyler J. Williams, Captain, USAF (above link) that evaluated theimpacts to US infrastructure of increases in solar and cosmic radiation regarding the weakening magnetosphere of our planet. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events Wandering magnetic north pole moving out of Canada toward Siberiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_magnetic_field Just 10 days before the above executive order was signed, the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000bunkers. This was a massive civil defense exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. It is worth noting that a nuclear war scenario would not allow time to evacuate that amount of civilians into bunkers. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Hawaii General plan mentions the potential to sequester C02 as rationale to reduce man made impacts, even though temperature levels are drastically lower now than they have been in 485 million years (see chart above) Photosynthesis activity in plants requires C02 and only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere. Reduction of this necessary element would have a catastrophic chain reaction and is a risk to ALL carbon based lifeforms. Several long-term studies have provided strong support demonstrating that growingcrops under elevated [CO2] can increase photosynthesis and result in an increase in yield, flavour and nutritional content (including but not limited to Vitamins C, E and pro-vitamin A). In the case of tomato, increases in yield by as much as 80% are observed when plants are cultivated at 1000 ppm [CO2],which is consistent with current commercial greenhouse production methods in the tomato fruit industry. These results provide a clear demonstration of the potential for elevating [CO2] for improving yield and quality in greenhouse crops. https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/10/4/uhad026/7049409?login=false This testimony is to provide overall big picture of extinction level event(s) to instigate community emergency preparedness as part of the overall plan Increased solar radiation as a result of the earths weakening magnetosphere and polarity shift will significantly impact survivability of our community. There will be significant disruptions of the supply chain, challenges with food production, energy blackouts, and limited communications. Communitypreparedness for such events are not documented in the draft general plan, meanwhile many eastern hemisphere nations including Russia, Thailand, and Japan have been preparing for these events with local civil defense for years. Citizens of Hawaii county are aware of the influx of billionaires overthe last 20 years that have had impact on county policy and planning. Many have taken permanent residence and hedging Hawaii island has a good chance of survivability during these changes. In light of this information, my suggestion is for our county to birth its own plan based on the needs of the community expressed in numerus testimonies and include space weather scenarios as potential hazards. County officials would be wise to form a committee of experienced personnel from variousdepartments - including the local community members with relevant capabilities that can prioritize and draft a community plan that includes emergency preparedness that is relevant to our our island. We need to focus on independence with agricultural food production, innovative energy and buildingtechnologies and resilience thru preparation to create our own future we want to see. Mahalo for your service,Donna ThompsonKamuela, HI From:Eileen Downing To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045/ Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 2:35:43 PM The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and startusing the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open spacebecause they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives onMaui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You wantto acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are naturalresources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world thatstate there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason forthis narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investorsin renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to"demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehiclemiles traveled" should be removed from this plan! The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was createdby people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use movingforward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the BigIsland! Thank you, Eileen Downing From:fred hofer To:WPCtestimony Subject:Big island general plan Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 4:23:07 PM Just scratch the new plan, it sucks. Why don't you go back to the 2005 plan? That would save much time and effort - Most efficient and practical solution for that mess and horror that that new, "2045" plan is; Go back to the 2005 plan, and use and implement that one . Mahalo nui loa With all due respect All Rights reserved Fred Hofer HiloHawaiian Islands From:Gail Glass To:WPCtestimony Subject:Go back to the 2005 General Plan Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 12:58:40 PM The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! I think it’s a very bad idea not to value the current status of homeowners and residents of Hawaii. Please support the local people and scrap the 2045 plan . The 2005 plan is a good one and supports the island’s lifestyle. Don’t cave into the demands of those who want to exploit our beautiful island for profit and have no regard for cultural traditions and ways. Sincerely & respectfully, Gail D. Glass Island Resident From:Joanna Weber To:WPCtestimony Subject:**Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045/ Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 12:29:25 PM The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 turn to the vision of the 2005plan! Please, throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! Here are my concerns:The 2045 plan is too vague. The language does not clearly express what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are many concerning sections which sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this suggested plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for “open space”,because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values andwhen appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands, if they don't do what the government wants. Acquiring land “to protectnatural resources” and values. Who gets to decide what natural resources and values are? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property? There is an entire section on climate change which looks to take awaymany freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create willincrease the pocket-book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achievesustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning Department to "demand" that these “management goals” reduce this very right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled"should be removed from this plan! Please, take a look at this pdf which shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c46 1685de4c0207bf286e.pdf For instance, the words “home owner” and “farmer” appear zero times in the General Plan 2045. In the 2005 General Plan, the word “Farmer “is applied 14 times and“home owner” is written 4 times. The 2005 General Plan was created bypeople who know Hawaii, her people and her land. That is the plan Big Island should apply moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. One important one is the amount of regulations which Hawaii General Plan 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completelychange the way of life on the Big Island! ALOHA, JOANNA WEBER From:Josh Moody To:WPCtestimony Subject:Reject GP 2045 Keep GP 2005 Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 10:23:51 PM Dear Windward Planning Commission- Lets please discard GP 2045 at this time. The document is far too simple and vague to move forward without additional work to clarify terms with regard to property rights. The GP 2005 document by comparison has a more complete definition of terms for land and specific uses like farms, private property, and private property rights. I would say that the general public and the county needs more transparency before we can pass any plan, but a good start would be to rework failures like page 111 section 17.4 “Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network.” As written this appears to be language authorizing land appropriation for conversion into “open space” - needs clarification to read, “in no way will affect private land ownership or re-zoning of current acreage lands or residentially zoned areas.” Remove Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan. Please expect oversight on any attempts to limit rights and freedoms in your planning moving forward. Most likely these attempts would fail at the Federal level when challenged. None of the counties in Hawaii should expect to waste taxpayer dollars to fight unconstitutional and radical agendas doomed to failure for rushed and poorly worked language. Lastly I would ask you to consider the consequences of enacting this legislation for yourselves personally. All US citizens work to provide for ourselves and our families. Private property rights are generally the main goal, a source of personal pride, and the reason we work. Your civic responsbility needs to identify the effect of your actions within the planning commission. Mahalo for your time and thank you in advance for your rejection of General Plan 245. Please edit to confirm land rights protections for private land owers and residentail owners and with freedom of movement provisions protected. Josh Moody From:kanaloaleohano To:WPCtestimony Subject:IGNORE current proposal, use older proposal Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 3:32:04 PM I have just learned that A GENERAL PLAN WAS ALREADY WRITTEN for our Island of Hawaiʻi that WASIN FAVOR OF HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND CARING FOR THE ʻĀINA. It was written in 2005 (updated in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2014 !!!) and ishere https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO RE-INVENT A VERY GOOD WHEEL? AND AT TAXPAYER (MY) EXPENSE???????? I can only imagine NEFARIOUS reasons!!!! As I see it, the proposed, insane 2045 plan is written by andfor "stakeholders," since (as I previously commented, comments repeated below**) the words "homeowner" and "farmer" DO NOT APPEAR EVEN ONCE in this debacle of a document. GET RID OF IT !! "Farmer" is in the 2005 EXCELLENT GENERAL PLAN fourteen (14) times and "homeowner" appears four (4) times. The proposed, insane "2045" document is written in complete reverse of this excellent"2005" document. Signed, Kana Leohano **My comments submitted on November 1, 2024 are repeated here: 1. The entire thing (proposed 2045 General Plan) needs to be re-done by people who love people -- not profit, that is by people who work from the SPIRIT of the State Constitution section 5-7.5 regarding ALOHA SPIRIT. To quote: "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. The current draft involves people in power who are seeking to line their own pockets. Stop. Seriously, dump the whole thing. IT IS OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN BY SOMEONE IN THE PAY OF Blackrock, Vanguard, Gates, Soros, or any number of other disgusting, money-printing entities. The core of the document is: "The Countyʻs desired land use development pattern." THIS IS NOT FOR THE COUNTY TO DECIDE !!!! As noted in #11 below: Our micro-climates are so vast and varied there is NO CHANCE that anyone at the County level would know what needs to go where. THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY LIVING ON, BY WALKING, THE LAND. Leave people to make their OWN DECISIONS about what to do with their own land. 2. The State, and the County, have NO RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LAND !! and any reference to such in this proposed document should be removed!!! And, the State has NO RIGHT to any County property, and none should be handed over without agreement of ancestral owners and local residents, and NO HARBOR SHOULD BE HANDED TO THE STATE. Remove any reference to "Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island and the State should NOT BE MANAGING our island. 3. There is no such thing as "climate change" caused by humans, and anything referring to such should be entirely removed. https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ Remove ANY reference to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Remove ANY reference to "decarbonizing." 4. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because Maui has shown the pain, suffering and financial loss such government over-reach leads to. 5. Remove the section 17.4, Page 111, because a person applying for land use clearance should not involve the government attempting to grab their land. 6. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "homeowner" or "farmer". 7. Leave the zoning alone. Leave it alone. 8. Remove ANY reference to "digital literacy" and its related "5G"-type insanity. BETTER TO PUT SOMETHING ABOUT "FARMING LITERACY" OR "FISHING LITERACY" OR "HUNTING LITERACY". Remove ANY reference to prioritizing digital above actual. There is nothing in this proposed document about PRIORITIZING FARMING, FISHPOND CARE AND MAINTENANCE, and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and THERE SHOULD BE !!!!! 9. Remove the words "equity" and "equitable" from everywhere they appear. We need EQUALITY of opportunity, NOT equity of results !!!! People need to work for what they get, and people who have worked and succeeded need to keep the fruits of their labors. THERE WILL NEVER BE EQUITY, LEGISLATED OR NOT!!!! "Safe and affordable utilities" are NOT a right! People need to work for what they get! 10. Remove the word "sustainability" from everywhere it appears. This is NOT something that can be regulated into existence!!! It is a loosey-goosey term that has NO SCIENTIFIC PARAMETERS, NO EFFECTIVE DEFINITION for anything to do with lawmaking !! 11. Remove ANY proposed regulation that would increase restriction or result in ANY fee to a farmer. We need food !! 12. Remove ANY proposed requirement for a permit. We have too many of these already. 13. Remove ANY reference to "incinerator" -- "waste-to-energy" or ANY other use. NO resident wants such, and we have stated such in the past UNEQUIVOCALLY. 14. Remove ANY proposed map of land use. Our micro-climates are so vast and varied there is NO CHANCE that anyone making a map would know what needs to go where. THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY LIVING ON, BY WALKING, THE LAND. Leave people to make their OWN DECISIONS about what to do with their own land. Remove the word "conform" any time it has ANYTHING to do with private land use. 15. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the heinous, despicable, insane, terrible, egregious concept of "smart" cities. In fact, remove EVERYTHING that has ANYTHING to do with the "SMART" acronym and / or idea. 16. Remove ANY reference to digital currencies. 17. Remove ANY reference to clusters of population, or "site clustering of development". This island is NOT THE PLACE for such ideas. We are farmers. REMOVE section 4.5.1. Remove ANY reference to population density or "clusters". This island is NOT THE PLACE for such ideas. ALSO, IT IS INSANE TO PRIORITIZE WALKING AND BICYCLING OVER CARS ON THIS ISLAND. No farmer is going to walk or bicycle to get his / her produce to market !!!! 18. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 19. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed general plan. 20. Remove ANY reference to "incentive" in regard to taxes on peopleʻs land, such as to "incentivize" them to build "affordable" housing. This is a COMPLETELY WRONG way to get "affordable" housing built. MUCH MORE IMPORTANT would be to "incentivize" clean industries to move to our island, where people would be able to get employment to AFFORD good housing. In fact, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH !!! WHY NOT? 21. Remove ANY concept that would involve "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land. 22. Housing developers should not be released from requirements to build infrastructure and should have to post a bond, so we stop having them "get away with" never completing promised roads, etc. 23. Prohibit 5G, or 6G, or whatever they come up with that is similar. 24. All current use of septic or cesspool should be grandfathered-in, with only changes made at a market-rate sale of a property. There are VERY FEW areas where household waste water affects the ocean or inland water. Take care of those few places, leave everything else alone. And this has NOTHING to do with centralized wastewater -- not on our lava-rock island!!! In fact, there should be an AUDIT of CURRENT centralized wastewater facilities, as there are problems with some of them!!! 25. Get Pohakuloa Military Base to stop polluting. NO "TREATED" WASTEWATER for any food or farming use. 26. Pohakuloa Military Base gets its land for a dollar a year and shoots weapons directly above our islandʻs largest aquifer. Get them to stop! 27. Remove ANY reference to incentivizing or regulating water use. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR SUCH. We have water-use people already taking care of this. "Water commitments" are something the DWS should take care of -- or individual bills introduced to remedy any problem. 28. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 29. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 30. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. WHAT ALREADY HAS BEEN SAID, AND I REPEAT: General Plan 2045 references ʻeconomic growthʻ but does not discuss in any way the drivers of the economy. It SHOULD be a study and plan, on how best to support: Farmers Producers of Goods Providers of Services .....so we can build a great economy together. Rather, it seeks to: restrict, impose fees, place taxes ... pays attention to airport terminals and harbors, transportation and urban development -- nothing that is alive and producing value for our economy, but tools that are needed by people who ARE alive and producing, so should not be used as a way to rake in money for civil servant salaries. Supposedly a plan about development, it barely mentions the Farmers, Producers of Goods, Providers of Services, barely mentions: Agriculture Commerce Industries Jobs Economic Activities It wants to make everyone walk, ride a bike or take a bus. Nuts. Dump the whole thing. From:Akuakea To:WPCtestimony Subject:General plan testimony. Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 8:00:18 PM My name is Kevin Hill. I live Hamakua and am strongly opposed to the current version of the General plan; which I have expressed in other testimony- and with the process for approvalwherein none of our public testimony will affect the final document. If we are not able to change it before it goes to the planning commission then I am in favor of continuing with the 2005 general plan instead. I’m also in support of the testimony of Ken Fujiyama and his emphasis on general agriculture and incentives to farm. Hemp and other specialty crops should also be grown. It’s anothertopic but Land is for people not corporations. Long term leases (99 years) should be considered for lands claimed by the State or County. I am opposed to the general plan 2045 and propose reinstating and implementing the goals set forth in the 2005 general plan. Thank you and may the life of this land perpetuate by our conscience driven choices. SincerelyKevin From:Joe Roark To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045/ Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 11:17:35 AM The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANYconcerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space becausethey apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui,which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want toacquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!!You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights.Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energyas it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled tomitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehiclemiles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! Sincerely,Kimo RoarkHakalau, HI From:Lahilahi Heen To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045/ Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 10:21:11 PM The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANYconcerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for landuse. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You wantto acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values?Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's privateproperty?!!You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the changethese policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reducesfreedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should beremoved from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this generalplan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people whoknow Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount ofregulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposesmore rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! Ms Heen From:Marianna Kovalev To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2025./ GO BACK to 2005 GP! Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 12:03:05 PM The Big Island GP2005 supported communities to thrive as well as supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a COMPLETE 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Resident’s rights, freedoms and Properties are at risk with this new plan. Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move The Big Island forward! Thank you. Marianna Kovalev. Sent from my iPhone From:Nathalie Westerberg To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045/ Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 1:31:44 PM Aloha Members of the county, As a younger resident of Big Island and someone who plans to start and raise a family here I am very invested in the well being and positive growth path for all the residents of big island. It was brought to my attention that the new general plan being proposed, general plan 2045does not have the well being of the residents current and future in mind. I was informed that, the Big Island General Plan 2005 supported community and land stewardship. As a professional gardener and native plant restoration professional I work directly on a day day to day basis in collaboration with many other people to steward the land and restore many of the rarest plant species on earth. I want to want to live here. Do not create a poor plan to steer the direction of the community away from whatmakes everyone love Hawaii. One specific example that was brought to my attention that needs to be removed is, Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." Small businesses owners like myself relay on our vehicles to travel, sometimes far distancesto generate income to be able to live here. This makes no sense and is not considerate of themany small businesses that keep this island going in mind. Please remove this section entirely to remain fair and equitable to all of the small by ownersthat keep the big island economy running. Finally, The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 of the 2005 plan. Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! Mahalo, Nathalie From:Scott Berrett To:WPCtestimony Subject:NO ! on General Plan 2045 Date:Sunday, November 3, 2024 1:06:31 PM Dear Windward Planning Commission: REJECT General Plan 2045. Continue with General Plan 2005. GP 2005 remains more attuned to the needs of Hawaii residents. GP 2045 jeopardizes Hawaiian rights and liberty, it has too much foreign influence. Mahalo, Richard Berrett From: Savanah Wakkinen To: W PCtestimonv Subject: Use big island general plan 2005! Date: Sunday,November 3,2024 3:21:47 PM The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to: Ws://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui,which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants.You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger?hUs://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. hUs://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fcOc b34739e4c99c461685de4cO207bf286e.12df The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii,her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! Savanah Wakkinen From:Ali Eden To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan!!! Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 8:34:32 AM Aloha, Please stop the globalist/technocrat agenda 2045 for the Big Island. Do YOU really want to live under their dystopian plan? Who wants more rules and restrictions? Money is neverworth listening to these tyrants, I hope our representatives are not lining their pockets. We cannot allow their plans to destroy our way of life. Please toss it out and refer to the 2005General Plan. Ignoring the people seems to be the real agenda these days. We will not be silenced. Sincerely,Ali From:Planning General Plan To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Cc:Planning General Plan Subject:FW: General Plan 2045 Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 3:28:42 PM From: chris hi <chrishi03@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, November 4, 2024 2:46 PM To: Planning General Plan <generalplan@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: General Plan 2045 Below is a transcript of my oral testimony with minor typo changes. Thank you for your consideration,Chris Hirose ---- Transcript of my oral testimony: I think General plan 2045 is part of the UN agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. There's a global ruling class that creates global problems so they can peddle global solutions that gives them power and wealth while making us serfs. This ruling class owns at least a part of the central banks all around the world. For example the Federal Reserve is a privately owned central bank of the US. The Federal Reserve's own website says it pays dividends to its shareholders. Alsoits income is exempt from taxes except for real estate transactions. That's why on the top of every dollar it says "Federal Reserve Note." The Federal Reserve was created in 1913 and was used to fund both sides of WorldWar I in 1914. That same year in 1913, the Federal Income tax was created, to pay the debt of war. The solution to global war, is global governance, so the League of Nations was formed. World War II was a repeat of World War I, so the United Nations was formed. On 9/11 a false flag was done to start the global war on terror. That's why on 9/11, 3 World Trade Center buildings were destroyed in controlled demolitions. Unlike Buildings 1 & 2, Building 7 fell in a controlled demolition without a plane hitting it. Event 201 done in October 2019 is the Building 7 of Covid. Event 201 shows the Covid pandemic was pre-planned and done on purpose. It is still online. It was sponsored by the Gates Foundation, the World Economic Forum and John Hopkins. The Rockefellers are connected to the Gates family and The World Economic Forum. John Rockefeller Sr started John Hopkins School. Fauci's NIAID funded the Wuhan Lab where the alleged covid lab leak occurred. Fauci's NIAID also funded Ralph Baric who patented Covid and its predecessor SARS. Baric wrote a paper with the Wuhan Lab "Bat Lady" Shi Zhengli. Covid was like a World War, because most countries went into massive debt to their central banks. The global warming solution is 15 minute cities with the China model surveillance and control. The Globalists are using weather weapons to achieve this with clear evidence in Alcapulco, Mexico with unnatural hurricanes. Alcapulco was targeted as a smart city. The people there are rebellious and there'snot even police, only military. Last year hurricane Otis went from a tropical storm to a cat 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours. It hit Alcapulco with 165 mph winds. This Year hurricane John went from tropical storm to a Cat 3 hurricane in 18 hours. It hit Alcapulco then it went back out to sea and then hit Alcapulco again as a Cat 1 "zombie" hurricane. From:Christopher Barham To:WPCtestimony Subject:Comments for 2045 plan....keep the 2025 plan please! Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 9:53:14 AM Dear Madam or Sir, I am a land rural land owner and great believer of government stewardship. Particulalry helping to deal with important issues where commercial interests are in opposition to the greater voter and community interest. Additionally stewardship is important in dealing with longer term time horizons, as this tries plan to do. I also believe in a strong communication process, which we are so engaged. What I find strange, is that there is really a lack of professionalism, (significant lack of key defintions having in part come from a legal background), in the creation of this 2045 document that is completley taking a different direction to the 2025 equivelant. Is this 2045 paper rushed, or a willfull desire to decieve the constituents? There is a terrible history of abuse in Hawaii, and this document really continues in that direction. I would like to know who developed the new directions and perspectives of this tome? I am a believer in some aspectes of the U.N. but clearly it is also quite dysfunctional with the Security Council and other agenecies or groups under it's umbrella. The WEF, is not far from some of my economic professor family perspectives, and as I comment to them, the only natural world equivalent to the current economic paradigm of unlimited growth is cancer. I suspect we need to move toward something like Bhutan which has Gross Domestic Happiness as one of it's economic indicators. In the U.S.A., democracy as we typically interpret it never existed, as it was the white, wealthy landowners who directed what happened at the formation of this country, and this power has obtensibly now been transferred to the Commerical sector. It is vital that human beings and communities really shape what is best for them, as opposed to commerical or other interests. Do you function from a place of inner awareness that is fear-based, and all the inherent complication and viscious viscious circles of insufficiency, force, and distortion of the human character, or do you choose to be self aware of the human ego and lead from a place of the wisdom and bliss bodies? In this day and age, if our government leaders are not functioning from the bliss and wisdome bodies, having done internal work to understand the images and belief structures that are dulistic in nature, and so choose to lead from unity and Oneness from beyond the mind and self-structure, then they need to learn to do this or resign. I am happy to create an ongong training program for the County and State should you so be called to function from a more empowering place of awareness and self-responsibility. In fact, this kind of education could be a part of how all teachers and children share and learn. I would love to see Hawaii be the heart of the World and transform internally to support the same globally. Let us be a World leader in all aspects of life here on the Islands. Obviously if you do not understand these words and meaning, it is time to consider some training and create a new possibility that is truly affirmative and nourishing of Source and all spirit be it human, flora, fauna, or rock or mineral etc. Everything is One and interconnected in the external illusionary perception of the dream....and it is o.k. to not take that route too. It will just enrich us all in ways beyond what we currently understand or perceive if you choose "yes" to what is ultimately love. The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a reversal to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan as it currently stands: 1. There are many insufficienlty defined terms. I expect minimally you are clearly identifying the meaning of language that is innocuous. 2. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. 3. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 4. 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! 5. You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Also, climate change is a natural phenomena on the Earth, whether we as humans asissted it or not. For hundreds of millions of years there has been climate change on Earth, and magnetic field changes like the one we are going thorugh now related to changes in the core of the Earth. Additionally the local galaxy's planets are also heating up, so this phenomena is not limited to Earth. To my current knowledge, there were no humans hundreds of millions of years ago here on Earth, nor currenlty on these other planets. 6. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan (these are inserted below but the pdf has color and easier to read). https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf 7. The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reasons to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! More specifically: Page: 27 Implementation Strategies “Zoning & Land Use Regulations Update regulations to align with the goals of the General Plan.” Please change to: “Update regulations” to “align with the goals of local Communities and the General Plan.” “Public-Private Partnerships Collaborate with private entities and homeowners to achieve mutual development and conservation objectives.” CONCERN: The word “Homeowner” is not written anywhere in the entire plan. That is VERY concerning. Why are you leaving homeowners out of the general plan that will affect them and their future generations? Please include “homeowner” wherever “stakeholder” is and where suggested in this document. Also, please be clear about who these private entities are that you want to collaborate with so this is more transparent. “Community Engagement Continuously engage residents and stakeholders in the decision- making process.” CONCERN: The community deserves to know who “Stakeholders” are and EXACTLY what they have stake in. Please define. Page: 28 1.1 The purposes of the General Plan are to: ● Provide the framework for regulatory decisions, capital improvement priorities, acquisition strategies, and other pertinent government programs within the County organization and coordinated with State and Federal programs. This sounds like you want to take people’s property through acquisition and regulate the heck out of locals. Please change to the following: Provide framework that supports local farmers and communities without further regulations, capital improvement priorities, and other pertinent local and government programs within the County organization and coordinate with State and Federal programs to support thriving communities. ● “Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole.” Please change to the following: ““Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole without violating personal freedoms, the Constitution or further regulating the public.” ● “Effect political and technical coordination in community improvement and development.” CONCERN: This sounds like you will bring politics into community living. That is not pono. Please change to: “Effect strategies that support community improvements and development for locals.” “The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions, elected officials, landowners, developers, and citizens to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi.” Please change to: The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions, elected officials, landowners, homeowners, developers, and locals to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi. Please add: (a) The general plan shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources without violating personal rights and freedoms, and supporting local communities to prosper, and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites, while still giving access to the public; the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county (Remove) (b) The council shall enact zoning, subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to support thriving communities, farmers and homeowners. The way it is currently written describes zoning people out of their homes with more regulations and fines. Page 29: (d) Amendments to the general plan may be initiated by the council or the planning director giving adequate notice to the public for needed testimony. Page 32: CONCERN WITH THE THREE CIRCLE “SUSTAINABILITY” DIAGRAM: The words: Sustainability and Equity are part of a political woke vocabulary and should not be in the Hawaii General Plan. Also, “Social and Culture Equity” should be removed. It is not the responsibility of the planning department to control the behavior of people. That again is a “woke” agenda. Nor does this language reflect a thriving community. “Environmental Protection” gives the impression of more regulations and a reduction of people’s rights. Please remove it. Instead call it: INNOVATION with these 3 circles: Economic Alternatives, Environmental Support, Thriving Communities The goal of the planning department should be to create an environment of prosperity and not one of over regulation and constraints on locals. We can do those through new innovations and 1.4 Innovation Principles and Practices CONCERN: Big Island needs to move toward free energy, which is available and not more regulations on what we have. Change: Integrating innovation into the General Plan is crucial for fostering long-term resilience and thriving communities. Change: “This includes increasing the effectiveness of new technologies to support local communities, improving coordination among various agencies and levels of government, and finding new and innovative ways to support our natural and cultural resources. for better development that supports a thriving environment, economic alternatives (sharing without taxes, trading without regulation), and flourishing communities. The General Plan recognizes this need and aligns with the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan1, which sets a strategic framework for achieving a sustainable future. By embedding sustainability principles into its core, this Plan sets forth a cohesive and forward- thinking strategy that addresses key challenges and anticipates future needs.” Please remove what is highlighted! not sustainability.Sustainability moves Big Island backwards not forward! CONCERN: By using the word “Sustainable” you are not supporting Hawaii to move forward. You are creating more control of the environment, and communities. That is not Pono and violates the HS [§5-7.5] "Aloha Spirit": "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. If the planning department creates a general plan that adds more regulations and constraints on locals, they violate the Aloha Spirit law. The Hawaiʻi 2050 Innovation Plan “created the State’s first definition of sustainability” (remove): A Hawaiʻi that achieves the following: 1. Respects the culture, character, beauty, and history of our state’s island communities; 2. Support a thriving community both socially and economically as we support our environment to heal and prosper; and 3. Meets the needs of the present without violating freedoms or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Page 33: In the diagram: “Regulatory Measures” ● County Code ● Administrative Rules ● Permits This shows that this general plan will increase restrictions and fees on farmers and other locals. This is not Pono. The plan should reflect innovation not constraints against the population. Please change to CHANGE TO: “Innovation Practices” ● Implement new resources ● Administration support ● Economic Alternatives Remove “permits”. Stop trying to permit the population to death! CURRENTLY: The Plan also incorporates guidelines to serve as strategic directions and standards to inform decisions regarding topics such as land use, infrastructure, housing, and resource management. These guidelines help to ensure consistency in planning and implementation, promoting sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. (This is a complete overreach of the government. You cannot tell people what to do with their property! It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to ensure people’s well- being! This should be revised to support environment, innovations, and thriving communities.) • Vision: The ability to plan for the future with creativity and innovation in support of thriving communities. • Goal: To see Hawaii Island become self-sustaining as communities and the environment prosper • Objective: Measurable, achievable, and time-bound milestones toward achieving a goal. • Guideline: A stated course of action that shall take precedence when addressing areas of concern and should be followed, unless a determination is made that it is not the most desirable in a particular case; thus, a guideline may be deviated from without penalty or sanction as long2 as it supports thriving communities, economic alternatives and supporting the environment. Page 34 Regulatory Implementing Actions (Locals DO NOT need more regulations and hoops to jump through. That will not support thriving communities.) Regulatory implementing actions are one of two types of approaches used in the General Plan to pursue the vision, goals, and objectives. Regulatory actions are controlling in that they define boundaries, development parameters, and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. The three regulatory implementing actions in the Plan include: Please change the last paragraph to: Work with local communities to pursue the vision, goals, and objectives. Find fair and supportive directions to define boundaries, development parameters, and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. Three actions in the Plan include: ● General Plan Land Use Map: A map that graphically delineates the areas of intended future land use types that support thriving communities and environmental support and do not hinder personal freedoms. ● Policy: A general rule for action focused on a specific issue, derived from more general goals3 that also support thriving communities and supporting the environment. • Standard: A supportive measure that defines the meaning, quality, or quantity of a policy by providing a way to measure its attainment. In the General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted through innovations and are flexible to support thriving communities. “because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter, Section 3-15.” Remove! The word “conform” is concerning. We are not in Communist China. Please revise to support thriving communities. Non-regulatory implementing actions typically involve community engagement, education and outreach, partnership development, and resource allocation to encourage support from the community (remove “compliance") and proactive efforts. This approach allows for flexibility and innovation in achieving the Plan’s vision. Throughout the General Plan, the objectives and policies are followed by a set of implementing actions. There are three types: Add: Community Support: Taking testimony and revisions from the community seriously and implementing where possible. Page 35: 1.6 Grounded Vision and Goals As we navigate our future, maintaining a balance between economic alternatives, environmental support, and thriving communities is paramount. By integrating those established values and principles, the General Plan ensures continuity and reflects the collective vision of Hawaiʻi Island residents, guiding new innovation developments while honoring our unique cultural and environmental heritage. The four primary chapters of the Plan encompass the innovation pillars of environment, community, and economy, as outlined in the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act Goals. General Plan Vision Statement Hawaiʻi Island is an exemplary leader with healthy and resilient communities that are built by innovative developments, a thriving and diversified local economy, and collaborative biocultural stewardship with locals. General Plan Chapter Goal Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed, preserved, and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment and use innovative techniques if and when appropriate to support future growth. Addressing Climate Change for Island-Wide Health CONCERN: Please realize there is no climate change emergency. 1944 credentialed scientists from around the world have signed a “No Climate Change Emergency Declaration”. You can find it here:https://clintel.org/world-climate- declaration/ Humans have less than 1% affect on climate. Please do your own research on this. Ensure the science is followed and investigate credentialed scientists and the Milankovitch cycles of which both have shown the earth is cooling. Since humans have less than 1% impact on climate, start supporting ways that we can maintain a healthy island by incorporating policies, programs, infrastructure, and decision-making that support the environment and thriving communities. And NOT policies that take away more freedoms and regulate locals to death! Hawaii Island will not believe in false narratives with political agendas. Innovative Development & Thriving We strategically apply innovative land use Communities It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to manage the health and safety of communities. That is an overreach of the government! strategies incorporating indigenous and contemporary knowledge and place-based practices to direct and manage growth for thriving communities. Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Our communities are adequately served by innovation and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Our communities are thriving and supported and have access to integrative health, education, and social services to support a high quality of life for all residents. Residents have access to adequate (change to: comfortable) and affordable housing to meet the needs of the population and provide equitable (remove) opportunities for household flexibility and mobility. We employ integrated systems that are efficient, equitable (remove), fair, and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Thriving, Diversified, Competitive with Economic Alternatives Our economy is competitive, innovative, and supportive. It helps our communities thrive and increases local economic opportunities. Agriculture is a robust sector that supports local farmers and includes a broad range of agricultural-based businesses that highlight value, organic and good health practices. A high quality of life for locals is maintained when a supportive visitor industry balances economic growth with natural and cultural responsibility. Page: 38 2.1 Introduction Collaborative biocultural (remove) stewardship is an approach to innovation development that emphasizes collaboration and partnership building among stakeholders (Who are they and what do they have stake in?), and homeowners and integrates natural and cultural resource management strategies to promote thriving communities. conservation, sustainability, and resilience (remove). Cooperative efforts aimed at achieving innovative development sustainable management (remove) of ecological systems are crucial for protecting our natural and built environments. Land use planning and management should be holistic, inclusive (remove), and adaptive to reflect thriving communities values, knowledge, and aspirations (remove). The General Plan provides key strategies to achieve biocultural (remove) supportive stewardship, including community engagement, partnership building, collaborative decision-making, and collective action. Environmental and social systems are complex and dynamic. These systems will require adaptive management and continuous learning as we navigate the future. The policies presented in this section seek to foster partnerships that are based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values. The community engagement process must be inclusive to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge systems into conservation and development strategies. Following such practices can promote the co-creation of knowledge, the sharing of resources, and the empowerment of communities. By leveraging the strengths and resources of different , and homeowners we can enhance the capacity of communities to manage natural and cultural resources sustainably (remove). We can also facilitate the creation of new networks and alliances, promoting social cohesion and resilience. Ultimately, the collaborative biocultural stewardship approach can foster a more integrated, inclusive, and equitable approach to conservation and development that reflects the aspirations and needs of local communities. (REMOVE THIS IS LANGUAGE IT stakeholders REMOVE (Who are they and what do they have stake in?) IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FREEDOMS INCREASE GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDER OVERREACH AND BRING IN MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL) CHANGE TO: We can also facilitate the creation of new innovative programs that support and reflect the aspirations of thriving local communities. This fundamental element of the Plan strives to cultivate a sense of place and connection to the environment and recognizes that the management of natural and cultural resources requires the participation of local communities, government, homeowners and other agencies diverse actors, including communities, governments, non- governmental organizations, and private sector entities. By promoting collaborative decision-making and collective action, we can enhance the effectiveness, equity, and legitimacy of conservation and development and innovative policies. By promoting community-based conservation and restoration strategies, we can enhance ecological integrity, promote biodiversity, and preserve cultural heritage and scenic diversity in shaping environmental perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors (Remove. People do not want to be manipulated). [It recognizes that cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to maintaining ecosystem services and biological diversity.] (remove) Change to: Cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to supporting the growth of thriving communities that wish to improve their environment. Page 39: Table 1: Biocultural (change to Land) Stewardship Challenges The word “Bioculture” is reflective of both biological and cultural factors that affect human behavior. Locals do not want the planning department to affect our behavior. Your job is to support the land, environment, and thriving communities. Native Habitat • Hawaiʻi has been known as the extinction capital of the world. • Climate change and sea level rise pose threats to existing habitats for native flora and fauna. climate danger. This is a narrative created by the “stakeholders” to move their agenda forward. landscapes.(Redundant Remove)Biocultural stewardship acknowledges the role of cultural REMOVE(Again, according to 1944 credential scientists from around the world, there is no https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/) Has the water level risen in any of the towns in Hawaii? • Longer and/or more severe weather and climate change may increase the likelihood of melted out of cars, where animals and humans are left recognizable, and where plastic doesn’t burn or even melt is not normal. That was an attack and murder of our Lahaina ohana. That is why only 20 building permits have been issued after a year! AND why Lahahina is STILL locked down!) • Invasive species continue to pose a threat to native and endemic species as well economic, environmental, and human health. (Reminder: It is not the responsibility of the planning department to protect people’s health.) • The carrying capacity of our resources is not comprehensively modeled and monitored. (Modeled and monitored should be for government agencies.) • The County lacks specific regulations for wetlands, riparian ecosystems, or other valuable habitats. Stewardship • The County has a limited budget for its large-scale geographic responsibility for the protection of public trust natural and cultural resources. (Revise. This doesn’t make sense. What are you trying to say? What responsibility are you talking about? What does the protection of public trust mean?) • Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of unique biomes and ecosystems. • The difference between traditional and modern practices along with varying mauka to makai ownership makes it difficult to comprehensively steward natural resources. Page 40 Native Habitat The County can collaborate with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create models for monitoring the carrying capacity of natural resources that will support farmers and thriving communities. wildfires. REMOVE (The Maui fire was NOT normal. A fire where trees do not burn but glass is • Ongoing conservation work can continue to evolve from species-specific conservation (e.g., Albizia eradication) to focus on ecosystem restoration across multiple land ownership to protect Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity and support local farms. • Maintaining healthy, native-dominant forests offers immense savings of land biocultural (Remove) and water resources that might otherwise be lost to the impacts of climate change (Remove) and invasive species. • Conservation lands hold significant value in the water resources they represent. • Incentivizing and developing regenerative land uses without further regulations or fines, such as agroforestry, can provide sustainable opportunities to ecosystems and communities. • Hawaiʻi can become a statewide adaptation and resiliency leader by focusing on its unique strengths and diversity to evolve with changing realities. • Urban forestry can be prioritized or incentivized in the County Code. This means more regulations and possible fines. No thank you! Change to: Support the further growth of current urban forestry Watersheds ● Establish more place-based watershed partnerships to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of those water systems and protect our island’s watersheds and local farms. • Strengthen the integration of Hawaiian biocultural remove resource management and traditional ecological knowledge across County government to support local farms. • Practice an integrated approach to ecosystem-based collaborative management that considers the entire ecosystem and local communities. • Watershed protection and management require collaboration and coordination across all levels of government and must include effective community engagement. Revise to: Support Watershed and management coordination which integrates local communities. Stewardship ● Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of its unique natural biomes and ecosystems. ● Ongoing interagency coordination, including consultation with place-based land stewards,cultural and historical advisory groups, land and homeowners, and other stakeholders being transparent of what they hold stake in. • The County can take a more proactive role in exercising its protective public trust role for natural and cultural resources. This sounds like government overreach. Again, the planning department is NOT responsible for protecting the public. That is a byproduct of what you do but it is NOT the main part of your job! Revise to: The County can take a more proactive role in supporting thriving communities and their natural and cultural resources. • Maintain and increase involvement with existing partnerships and identify new partners that help promote and enhance biocultural (remove) Land stewardship. • Collaborate to complete additional EPA-approved watershed plans to increase eligibility for future conservation funding. Page 41 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions Objective 1 Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats. Policies 1.4 Maintain the shoreline for recreational, cultural, educational, and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of nature, respectful of resources, and is of the maximum benefit to the general public. 1.8 Prioritize native landscaping for all County projects while allowing communities to enjoy it at their leisure. 1.11 Encourage and incentivize green belts, tree plantings, and landscape plans and designs in urban areas without further regulations or fines. 1.13 Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource and values without further regulations or fines. and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources (Remove! This is a 110% overreach of the government.) 1.14 Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other stakeholders (What do they have a stake in? Who are they?) to: Page 42: a) Implement the Hawai‘i State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) (What is this plan? Where can it be found?) b) Better understand and model carrying capacities of the island’s habitats and resources c) Improve the inventory of forested lands and associated ecosystem services d) Encourage the continued identification and inclusion of unique wildlife habitat areas of Native Hawaiian habitat within the Natural Area Reserve System e) Anticipate future habitat migration, especially wetlands and coastal ecosystems f) Prioritize quantitative wetland assessment to identify wetlands g) Expand native and/or endemic forest cover h) Improve enforcement for illegal activities that harm or degrade endemic habitats (Who is defining endemic habitats and how is it defined? I MUST be defined by Hawaii citizen commission and not anyone outside Hawaii. Mainland people should NOT be able to define this.) 1.18 Public landscaping and irrigation shall be designed to maximize water use efficiency and native plants. Actions 1.b Review tree survey requirements and amend the Code to incorporate as part of site planning for public use. 1.h Develop buffer policies to protect native forests, wildlife, rivers, streams, coastal waters, and other native habitats without. This is too vague. What policies are you considering and will that come with penalties? If so, remove this. Page 43 1.i Create incentives for landowners to retain and re-establish forest cover in upland watershed areas with an emphasis on native forest species without further regulations or fines. 1.k Amend the landscape standards in Rule or Code (Remove) to require the use of native plants for screening or landscaping. Change to: Support local education on the importance of using native plants for screening or landscaping. 1.l Amend the Code to incentivize (Remove) Replace with Support local education on the importance of the establishment of threatened and endangered endemic plant species within their habitable ranges during development approvals. 1.m Review the Code and consider amendments to encourage site clustering of development in order to avoid critical environmental areas and assets. REMOVE This is more unneeded regulations. This is BIG Island. People do not need to be ontop of each other. You’re promoting too many regulations. 1.n Develop and establish Open Space Network Overlay on current unoccupied territory for natural landscape features, such as beaches and dunes, forests, streams, floodplains, wetlands, estuaries, or recharge areas that have the inherent capacity to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the impacts of climate change (Remove) 1.q Develop comprehensive programs and policies and provide resources for enhancing urban forestry canopy cover in unoccupied areas and without further regulations or fines for local farmers. 1.u Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders and local farmers to develop a program for the identification and protection of plant species of special status, including plants significant for cultural practitioners. Page 44: 2.7 Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, and homeowners, and other stakeholders (Remove. Who are these people and what do they have stake in?) to: ○ a) Implement a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies priority watershed areas for habitat restoration and enhancement without further regulations or fines on locals. ○ b) Review and designate forest, river corridors, and watershed areas into the conservation district during State land use boundary comprehensive reviews. ○ c) Monitor nearshore water quality and impacts to reefs and marine environments and address land- based sources of impacts. ○ d) Protect and restore wetlands and riparian corridors to ensure more pristine water quality, decrease erosion, and increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration, nutrient/pollutant uptake, soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement, and cultural/community connections without further regulations or fines on locals.. ○ e) Develop reasonable standards to improve stream and coastal water quality monitoring and encourage local communities to develop such projects without further regulations or fines on locals. Page 45 Objective 3 Increase direct community restoration and collaborative efforts to conserve and nourish the island’s biocultural resources. Policies 3.1 Encourage an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaiʻi’s resources by protecting, preserving, and conserving critical and significant natural resources without further fines and regulation on the population. Pg 47 Actions 4.b Change from: Reassess Certified Local Government status to ensure the support of farmers and homeowners and maximize funding opportunities for self-supporting communities. 4.h Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, other local communities, and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in) to develop design guidelines for designated communities containing significant historic buildings, sites, or landscapes. 4.i Assess and prioritize County-owned lands for historic site restoration in collaboration with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, other local communities, and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in). Page 48 Objective 5 Protect, restore, and enhance our communities’ unique scenic character. Policies 5.c Develop a process for reviewing and revising guidelines for designating Natural Beauty Sites without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. 5.d Establish a Scenic Resources Protection Program to identify, inventory, and protect areas of significant beauty. The program could include recommendations from the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project (2016) without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. Page 56 3.1 Introduction The climate change section of the General Plan is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated climate mitigation and adaptation efforts on Hawaiʻi Island. This element provides a high-level policy framework, building on the scientific knowledge and government-level strategies and actions developed in the Integrated Action Plan (ICAP) for the island of Hawaiʻi. This is VERY Concerning! As stated earlier the World Climate Declaration was signed currently by 1,944 scientists stating there is no climate danger. Here is what a few more scientists have to say. On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared the following: “If one asks, “Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have no concern about that. By asking people to worry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climate change is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into something alarming seems a little bit weird to me1.” 1 “Global warming: why you should not worry,” by the Boston Globe, May 14, 2010. Dr. David Dilley, a former Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, United States Air Force, Senior Research Meteorologist, and Climatologist at Global Weather Oscillations Inc., has 50 years’ experience in meteorology and climatology. He's also a working partner in the International Hurricane Protection Association. This is what he has to say about global warming: “Global warming begins in the Arctic and Antarctic. It has about a 230-year cycle. When it comes back, it takes about 20 years for it to hit its peak. It started in the 1990s and hit its peak this past year. With global warming, the Antarctic and higher regions warm up. As it warms up, you have less cold air available to filter south into the middle latitudes, and it warms the middle latitudes. That is global warming2.” Dilley explained that the same thing happens with global cooling but in reverse, as the temperature increases and decreases in cycles. Dilley then shared that 2022 was the coldest spring and summer on record, with the winter of 2021 being the coldest winter on record. He also shared that in April 2023, five months before the Lahaina Fire, the Earth was running low-to-normal temperatures, and the Arctic was actually cooling down. Dilley is also an expert of the “Milankovitch Cycle,” which illustrates the rotation of the Earth, sun, and the moon, and their effects on global warming. According to Dilley, every 120,000 years, the Earth comes closest to the sun. Then, about 68,000 years later, it's the furthest approach from the sun. He says that our closest approach was 8,000 years ago. Dilley states, “We were warmer 6,000 to 8,000 years ago than we are today. The reason was that we were the closest approach to the sun and we had just come out of an Ice Age. We're 8,000 years off the peak now, and so we're actually cooling down.” John Coleman, also an expert on the weather, shares the same thoughts. Coleman was the original weatherman on Good Morning America in the 1970s. He founded The Weather Channel in the 1980s. In 1982, he was voted “Meteorologist of the Year” by the American Meteorology Society. With regards to the Arctic and sea levels, Coleman states: “They tell us that we're melting the polar ice caps. The Antarctic polar ice cap is at an all-time high, and the Arctic ice cap is increasing again after diminishing. They tell us that we're flooding the shorelines. Do you live on the coast? How much has the water come up in your lifetime? They manufactured data to make it look like we're increasing the water level of the oceans, but we’re not3.” Professor Richard Lindzen states: https://youtu.be/pwvVephTIHU?si=XoxAcPc51JNOXdeR 2 “Signals - Global Cooling Cycle Beginning - Global Warming Ending -Professor David Dilley,” by David Dilley GlobalWeatherCycles, May 10, 2023. https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=67zNptmdOoWQzWqF 3 “John Coleman's case against significant man-made global warming,” by Kusi News, June 24, 2013. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=Cn-ApS8z2Y_kiI76 “At any given place, traditionally, sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick in the water, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving up and down. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise141.” Let’s review the danger of water rising and engulfing coastline towns. Is there one city or town on the shoreline that is in danger of being underwater? Is Venice, a town that lives at sea level, in danger of being lost to the sea? Have home insurance companies stopped giving insurance policies to homeowners who live on the coastline because they’ll soon be underwater? The answer would be no! On August 21, 2020, NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.” It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 20184.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth” are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors5."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website6. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1. The film claims that melting snow s on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct. 2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years. The Court found that the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 4 “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900,” by Ian J. O'Neill / Jane J. Lee, August 21, 2020. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ 5“Truth is, Gore film has 9 errors, British judge rules,” by Mary Jordan, Oct 12, 2007. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has-9-errors-british-judge-rules/ 6 “Inaccuracies in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth - A Ruling of the British High Court” https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Tru th.html 3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that this was not the case. 5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore had misread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidence was that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find any evidence to support this claim. 8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Government was unable to substantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following: High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: 1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is that Greenland will not melt for a millennia. 2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; the evidence was that it is, in fact, increasing. “Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon, creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh139.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted, it would release this amount of water “but only after, and over, a millennia.” The climate change narrative will destroy people’s freedom and add more regulations, fines and fees. Do not allow this government narrative to continue on the Big Island. The people do NOT want more laws, regulations, and fines based on a false narrative that completely changes community infrastructures from self-reliant to “sustainable” living, with “stakeholders” carrying the purse strings and the power. That is NOT Pono! Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves7.” Science 101 shows us that plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. If plants die due to lack of carbon dioxide, so do humans for lack of oxygen. During the Cretaceous Period, which began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago, we had a lot more carbon than we do today - tons more! This was the time of the dinosaurs, and everything was huge! Plants were much larger than they are now. The sea levels were also a lot higher during the Cretaceous Period. Was that due to more carbon dioxide? Not according to an article at Britannica.com written by Thor Arthur Hansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professor of Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7, 2024. The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges8. It was not due to carbon! It was due to the Earth's mantle. On January 11, 2023, in an episode titled “Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” posted on geologist and scientist Gregg Braden’s YouTube channel, John L. Petersen of the Arlington Institute stated: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change9.” In the same interview, Braden stated: 7 “Gregg Braden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ 8 “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor Arthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous- Period 9 “Why ‘THE POWERS THAT BE’ are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=cz2jDjrSmJaITiDx “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true147.” Gregg showed a graph indicating that during the Cretaceous Period, carbon dioxide levels were over three times higher than they are today. Carbon dioxide levels were between 800-1,000 parts per million. During this period, there was an extreme greening of the Earth. Plants and life thrived! According to Braden: “If CO2 drops below 184 parts per million, that seems to be the threshold where we (humans) are in trouble! If CO2 drops below those levels, we are actually cutting off the very life-force that is providing oxygen on this planet.” Is the entire CO2 narrative intended to increase the bankroll of the “stakeholders” around the world invested in renewable energy with no regard for human life? Stakeholders who’ve invested in progressive and “sustainable energy" have a lot to gain in their pocketbooks by populations living in fear of climate change and believing they will be “saving” the Earth by going along with renewable energy and electric vehicles. They’ll also be giving up a lot of their freedoms in doing so. Page 59 Transportation The General Plan further discusses strategies for improving public Transportation Access and Mobility. The County can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power public facilities and infrastructure, Page 61 The General Plan expands on opportunities for climate-conscious land development in the Land Use section without violating people’s rights, over regulating or increasing fines. Page 63 decreasing vehicle reliance and (Remove) You have no right to hinder people’s right to travel. Please take ANYTHING out that references decreasing people’s use of their vehicle! reducing VMT, (REMOVE). YOU CANNOT LIMIT PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRAVEL. THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION AND IS BEYOND YOUR JURISDICTION The General Plan further expands on strategies to increase resilience in the Transportation Access and Mobility, Public Utilities, and Public Facilities and Services sections without violating the Constitution, or over regulating farmers and homeowners. The General Plan expands on renewable energy in the Public Utilities section with safety studies prior to installation, and without increasing costs to the public. Page 66 Transportation • Promoting the use of electric vehicles through expanding charging infrastructure and educating the public on the safety studies done for the use of these vehicles from third parties. Renewable Energy • Increasing the use of green technology (including third party safety studies) will increase the energy independence of individuals and businesses on the island. • Supporting renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), and geothermal (Remove. This practice is not safe for an island with active volcanoes!) Land Use & the Built Environment • Implementing smart growth strategies, without violating people’s right to travel can reduce urban sprawl and create more walkable communities. • • Encouraging the construction of energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings being sure to prove any additional technology is safe for the public.. • Promoting regenerative agriculture practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration while not further regulating farms or increasing fines. • Greening urban areas increases the availability of cool areas for residents to live and recreate. • Integrating energy savings and waste management, without more regulations and fines on the population, provides an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in new development. Conservation • Protecting reefs and marine ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, without hindering public use. • Implementing a One Water strategy and other water-saving technologies and practices can reduce the energy required for water treatment and distribution. This is NOT a good idea. If this • Conserving natural habitats without hindering public use to preserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change. • Efforts to expand renewable energy, with third party safety studies and without hindering public Developing a County building code that balances health and safety, affordability, and carbon footprint (REMOVE! This is more regulations and fines. NOT Pono! It is NOT your responsibility to focus on people’s health. That is for each individual! This is an overreach! goes down, where will people get their water? Remove or revise. use, can consider the preservation of unique and diverse ecosystems, avoiding negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats. Additional Measures • Implementing policies and regulations that support climate mitigation efforts, without further regulations or fines on locals. (Please educate yourself) • Supporting research into new technologies and approaches for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience and include third party safety studies while ensuring no further cost to the public. Page 67 Water Resources • Management Promoting a One Water strategy can create cross-agency collaboration to identify and address overlapping challenges in adapting to sea level rise and building more resiliency into infrastructure across water, wastewater and stormwater sectors. How does this promote collaboration? This seems like a monopoly. Agriculture & • Food Security Encouraging the cultivation of climate-resilient and diversified crops to enhance food security without further regulations and fines. Infrastructure & Urban Planning ● Implement zoning and land use planning policies that consider climate risks and promote sustainable development after a full investigation of the climate change narrative is examined. Social Equity ● Engage communities in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that adaptation measures are socially inclusive (Remove. This is woke language.) and culturally appropriate. • Improving public engagement about climate change and encouraging sustainable practices. (Remove and educate yourself on the fact that scientists from around the world have stated there is no climate danger.) Retrofitting or relocating bridges and roads provides an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions by reducing miles traveled. (REMOVE) THIS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION. YOU CANNOT DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL. ALSO, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO “RELOCATE” LOCAL BRIDGES. THIS SHOULD BE REMOVED! (Do not further regulate and fine people without fully investigating the climate change narrative and proving that any additional technology is safe for the human life.) ● Increasing equitable resilience to climate hazards will benefit historically marginalized and frontline Engage communities (What does this mean?) and those that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Energy & • Transportation ● Invest in renewable energy sources that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience. ● Promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce overall energy consumption and without increasing regulations or fines Biodiversity & Ecosystems ● Managed retreat strategies and new shoreline setback regulations would expand open space along the shoreline to support coastal ecosystems such as anchialine pools without hindering public access. ● Supporting conservation programs that are proven safe for the people and the environment can help protect native species and habitats from climate change impacts without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. ● Strengthening measures to control and eradicate invasive species can help protect local ecosystems. ● Enhance habitat connectivity to allow species to migrate in response to changing environmental conditions without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. Education & Capacity Building ● Build capacity for local government agencies by providing training and resources that improve their ability to plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives without increasing regulations and fines. ● Collaborate and coordinate with the County’s Office of ● Support research and monitoring efforts to better understand climate impacts and the effectiveness of adaptation measures. (Please educate yourself on this false ● Page 68 Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER). This is woke language and should be removed. narrative) Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and adaptation strategies. REMOVE (This is a FALSE narrative that you would be perpetuating.) 3.2 Climate Change Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions This ENTIRE section should be removed. Rosa Korie WARNED that what is planned for this country through the planning departments “is an erasure of jurisdictional boundaries. It is a loss of private property rights, a loss of sovereignty - both personal physical sovereignty and physical sovereignty in terms of our nation - and it's a loss of our freedom.” From Rosa Koire's special presentation to the New Hampshire Legislature. https://youtu.be/350IbVtpzvw?si=u_NNsNoL9XtGxDEA Page 71 8.3 Collaborate with farmers, government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts. (Please educate yourself on this false narrative. Is Kona or Hilo or any Hawaiian town close to being underwater? NO!) 8.11 Partner with government (e.g., State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development [OPSD]), private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? to analyze conservation buffers to accommodate shifting native habitats impacted by climate change, particularly wetlands and high-elevation forests. (Remove this ENTIRE section! We do NOT want “buffer” zones! You want to take away the ability for people to be in nature. That is NOT pono!) 8.b Support and partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? on research for adaptive policies and technology that includes safety studies to the public and environment, that increase resilience without further regulations and fines on the public.. 8.d 8.e Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? to implement environmentally beneficial upgrades for wastewater, irrigation, and/or landscaping, including sea level rise, storm, and other climate change considerations. (Remove). Getting at least three bids for contracts from different companies. Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard- prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation. REMOVE. THIS IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH! THIS IS NOT A COMMUNIST COUNTRY! YOU CANNOT TAKE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY! Pg 74 - 4.1.1 Introduction 1st para: “achieve sustainable development and” (Remove) change “resilient” to safe 2nd para: “Sustainable development is a key objective of land use planning for the County. By strategically” and in the sentence “Land use planning is essential. (Remove) change “resilient” to safe. 3rd para: - change “resilience” to safety. “and the impacts of climate change” (Remove) Better prepared for and protected against potential disasters. Change: “sustainable” to diversified. “desirable” to fair, equitable. Last para 5th line down: Change: “should” to may Pg 75 Economic Opportunity Planning: “other growth sectors.” Need to be specific, identify other growth sectors. Last sentence: “muck like the weave of sustainability,” (Remove) Pg. 76 Table 16: Land Use Key Trends Changing & Aging Population: “Over the next 25 years .....0.9% per annum” decline in population already seen and projected needs to addressed as to why the population is in decline. How you do Planning if you don’t address reasons for population decline. This is crucial. Housing Affordability & Choice: “In 2010...” down to “However, on average, Hawaii County’s overcrowding.....” Shifting Visitor Accommodation Types: - Change “With the upward trend....” to “rentals.” & “There is also a shift..” Revise that entire sentence. Job Availability & Growth: - Revise last sentence “In 2020, 14% of the.....” Pg. 77 Table 17: Land Use Challenges Revise: Infrastructure section Regulations section Funding & Financing entire section Land Use Compatibility entire section Public Engagement entire section - (My note is What is NIMBYism?) Pg. 78 Table 18: Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure:: last sentence “County departments can provide.....” Regulations: Red: “Collaborate across State and County agencies to.....” (Need more public input and ideas); “The most direct role the County plays..,..property tax policy.” (Need much more research on property tax rates, regulations, policies & scrutinized by the public who are affected by paying property taxes. This should be the most glaring concern so that we do not leave tax burden for future generations who may lose their properties to taxes paid to the government). Funding & Financing: “Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity building plan.....stakeholders.” (Remove) Market Conditions: “Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments....” Add: without violating people’s right to own property or take this out. Revise it. This is government overreach! Land Use Compatibility: “Demonstrate smart growth developments.” (Remove) Public Engagement: “Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBY) without further regulations and fines.” (What is YIMBY?) and next line “Apply strategies to....” “stakeholder”. Who are these stakeholders? What do they have stake in? Pg. 79 4.1.2 Land Use Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions Item 9.7 - Red: “Encourage” change to Mandate developers Item 9.8 - Red: “Route selection for .....” that entire sentence. (This is a high priority revision as it pertains directly to 5G dangers. Here is where the people/public need to have direct input/approval/changes. Item 9.a - Red: “Develop a process for County.....” this is crucial for public scrutiny & opportunity for the public to get transparency. Transparency can only be realized if we, the public include ourselves into all governmental processes. If not, we will not get transparency, period! Pg 80 Land Use Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions - continued Item 9.e - “Conduct a review and re-evaluation....” entire sentence to be revised. Item 10.3 “Proposed discretionary permits for large developments.....Ka’u Districts” -Not clear needs revision. Item 10.b “Amend.......allow CPDs to be applied to all zoning districts...” - Why amend the Zoning Code? We need to compare current Zoning Codes to what they propose to amend to see if the people or the developers have the advantage. What are CPDs? Item 10.c - Red: “Collaborate with the State Office of Planning.....Native Hawaiian customary and traditional..” Need to revise to ensure that Hawaiian cultural experts, NOT the State government or its agencies have any input for preserving, protecting, educating, safeguarding, sharing, marketing, ..every aspect of utilizing our native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli) heritage of language, practices, traditions, religion & more belong exclusively to the kanaka maoli elders, experts, kupuna, kahuna, healers NEVER the government or its agencies...NEVER!!! Pg 81 continue Item 11.4 “Concurrency reviews should incorporate..... (Remove)” entire sentence absolutely NO! Actions 11.a - Red: “Collaborate with the SHPD to create.....” entire sentence - Need experts. 11.d - Red: “Amend Zoning Code....” do not give the Planning Director more power, it’s time to decrease power for that position, we need to humble these government workers/servants. Now is that time as history has shown us, when they have power, they want more; when they have more power, it’s not enough & the cycle continues while the people suffer. STOP giving away the power from the people. 11.f - Board’s power to take away from me or you, ever. Objective 12 Reduce the threat to life and property from natural hazards and disasters. Policies The above sentence - Red: add “unnatural & natural hazards” - It is important to identify the reality that unnatural hazards have always existed, therefore, why is that omitted? 12.3 Red: “Consider natural .......” Again add in unnatural & force the Planning Board to address DE disasters, weather machine disasters which are human created disasters, which is criminal. Why shouldn’t the Planning Board include these disasters as they certainly affect the health & safety of the people & our environment. 12.8 Red: “Encourage the development....” entire sentence. Again, must address DE/Weather machines/human initiated disasters. Pg 82 Actions Item 12.a - Red: “Update the Building Code.....” entire sentence need extreme revisions, I initially wanted to delete, but it is necessary to revise to include unnatural/man made disasters & address “carbon footprint”. These are areas to not hide by deleting, but rather talk about them through revisions. Item 12.g - happening, delete this section that refers to climate change as that is a false narrative that we the people/public should not allow to continue. I do not want to tell a lie over & over again until everyone believes it. That’s breaking the 10 commandments. Pg. 83 4.1.3 Overview of Land Use Designations and Maps No changes. “Update traffic impact.....” (Remove)entire sentence. Travel should not be the Planning “Amend the Zoning Code....” (Remove)Until they can prove climate change is Pg. 84 Table 19: General Plan Land Use Designations and Maps No Changes Pg. 85 Agriculture and Natural Land Use No Changes Pg 86 4.1.4 Urban Growth Areas 2nd para: Red: “Smart Growth” change to something safer, know what it represents not hidden meanings. Black out: the word “sustainable” and from “More specifically, urban centers have been designed to create.... Driving.” - The government or its agencies should not impede or alter the rights of citizens to travel it’s call our right to travel, which is constitutional. Pg 87 Objective 13 Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. Policies Red: change “Smart Growth” to Evaluate and analyze development within designated urban centers. Item 13.3 Red: “Incentivize” what is that & how does it benefit the public? 13.6 Red: “may include additional acreages to account for.....” must revise section to make it clearer as to how this inclusion will work to the advantage or disadvantage of historic sites, public access, parks, & open spaces. More clarity is necessary because saying ok to unclear “PLANNING” should never be accepted. Item #13.12 - Red: Revise entire sentence “Urban renewal, rehabilitation....” need to include people or the public not just communities, businesses, & governmental agencies. Planning Boards should always include the people/public. This will give people the power to make decisions, not just testify for 3 minutes at a Planning Commission hearing. That needs to change. More people/public involvement needs to be promoted. This involvement may be the inspiration or motivation for people to become active in planning for themselves, their future generations. It is time for governments & businesses to take a back seat! Item 13.13 Red: Revise entire sentence. “Support master planning by .....” it’s not “Support” it should be to Scrutinize, evaluate, analyze and recommend by experts and the people. Pg. 88 Commercial - Industrial Item 13.28 Red: “Discretionary permit applications..... Entire sentence need revision as it is not fair to have Discretionary permit applications for new commercial developments. Everyone follows the rules, no exceptions by the Planning Board. Resort Item 13.49 - Red: Revise “On-site affordable housing and workforce units shall be excluded from the total permitted visitor unit counts.....” Again, how does this exclusion help the people, the visitors, the workforce? How does it affect permitted visitor unit counts? Pg 90 Actions 13.c Red: revise “Amend the Subdivision Code to ensure block sizes are based....” What are the current codes & what are the proposed amendments to compare who will have the advantage or disadvantage of this proposal to Amend Subdivision Code. Pg. 91 Urban Character Guidelines Table 20: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Character Guidelines No Changes. Pg. 92 Table 21: Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 93 Table 22: Urban Neighborhood Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 94 Table 23: Industrial Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 95 Table 24: Criteria for Industrial Land Conversion to Commercial/Mixed-Use No Changes Pg. 96 Table 25: Resort Area Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 97 4.1.5 Rural No Changes Pg. 98 Objective 14 Maximize the use of Rural designated lands to preserve rural character and lifestyle. Policies All items from 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 - Red: Must revise all items as the Planning Board is asking for Support of everything they are doing, which contradicts any changes that the public may be deemed detrimental. Asking for “blind” support is ridiculous. Actions - Items 14.a, 14.b, 14.c, & 14.d Red: Revise all items as it is asking to Amend Zoning Code, zoning districts which is crucial to see current codes compared to amendments. How are these amendments affecting the public to their advantage vs. disadvantages. This is very important to NOT just accept amendments. Thorough research is necessary to protect the public. Pg. 99 Table 26: Rural Neighborhood Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 100 4.1.6 Agriculture Last para: “The General Plan provides planning tools to incentivize the highest and best use of productive agricultural lands. The Plan’s policies...... entire paragraph need to be revised. I am especially concerned with the word “incentivize the highest and best use... here again what does this mean, how will it be done, who benefits. Pg. 101 Objective 15 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Actions All items 15.a, 15.b, 15.c. 15.d, 15.e must be revised Not just Amend. Pg. 102 Actions (continue) Item 15.f - Revise “Update the Real Property Tax Code.....” need public input for transparency. Item 15.g Revise “Amend the Zoning Code...” again do not just accept Amending Item 15.k Revise “Collaborate with USDA and the State.... It’s not just collaborate, it’s what are the decisions based upon, what are the final decisions, how are these decisions helping farmers. Since, we have passed hundreds of years farming in Hawaii you would think we have identified major problems, why these problems do not get resolved, who are responsible for the non-resolutions. This is just repeating ....USDA, the State who have been in charge of agriculture, I want to see a report card that covers 1950s to 2023. Report cards are transparency mechanisms to identify who & what are creating our farmer’s problems. We cannot fix anything without transparency. Politicians say it, but absolutely no actions. This section is entitled ACTION. Let us begin to act. Pg. 104 4.2.1 Introduction Third para: “Resilience....” I don’t want the word resilience to be an escape mechanism for the government or its agencies. That word should change. The last para: “The Plan is focused on improving connectivity within .....” this sounds good, but I don’t see good results as I am pass 70 yrs old. We should not accept “rinse & repeat”. What did the Planning Board learn from over 100 yrs. Of past failures? They say they focus on improving, yet we cannot determine how they will improve. Stronger language to ensure that the public can know they plan to improve. Pg. 105 Table 27: Transportation Key Trends No Changes Pg. 106 Table 28: Transportation Challenges All items Red: Revisions necessary. It refers to electric cars, Pre-COVID-19 (false narratives that must be stopped) Pg. 107 Table 29: Transportation Opportunities All items Red: Need revisions since they want to establish metrics, improve interagency collaboration, prepare projects, standardize interagency agreements. It contains a multitude of changes that are unclear, very ambiguous, & again, transparency is lacking. Pg. 108 4.2.2 Transportation Goal, Objective, Policies, and Actions All items Red: Requires revisions. Examples: item 16.2 “Encourage safe and convenient use ...... non-polluting” What is non-polluting to the Planning Board? What do they know about pollution as they don’t know that EMFs are dangerous pollutants. And example: Item 16.10 “Identify and evaluate transportation..... energy and climate issues.” We need to stop the false Pg. 109 Actions - continue All items - Red: Revisions necessary. Same reasons as above for Pg. 108. Sorry Michelle - did not complete pages 104 to 118-119. Can do later/Kalei K. completed today, Monday 9-23-24 at 12:01 pm. Pg. 110 4.2.3 Active Living Corridors and Public Access No Changes Pg. 111 Objective 17 Increase transportation connectivity. Policies All items Red: Need revisions. Example: Item 17.1 “Ensure Native Hawaiian access rights are clearly expressed....” This is an area of talk talk talk & no action. Again, what violations have already occurred, how long have these violations been going on, have these violations stopped? Just putting in a sentence in a Plan does not mean it has been adhered to. Therefore, these proposals are weak. As a native Hawaiian it is imperative to get enforcement for these violations, identify violations, how long it’s been happening, why & who are responsible to stop violations, protect native Hawaiian access rights. If this item # is weak, which it is - than the others need revisions. Pg. 112 Table 30: Public Access Spacing Standards No Changes Pg. 4.2.4 Mass Transit All paragraphs need revisions Red: revisions necessary. Mass Transit has been proven wrong on Oahu, the Rail. Over budgeted, from hundreds of millions of dollars (budgeted) to billions of dollars, NOT budgeted. Who is paying for this government error? You, me & our visitors. We have an historic example from the City & County of Honolulu. The people protested against this “Rail”, but years later a Mayor brought back the Rail & all Mayors thereafter continue with this project. Please investigate this “Planning” before Hawaii County repeats history. All words in this section/page are the same words use by the Planning Dept. of the City & County of Honolulu. Absolutely requires total revisions to 4.2.4 Mass Transit Pg. 114 Objective 18 Increase mass transit ridership by 50 percent by 2045 Policies All items are basic objectives. No changes (yet) Pg. 115 4.2.5 Roadways 2nd to last para: What is the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan Pink: Concern Pg. 116 Objective 19 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) All items Red: Need revisions Concern - What is reduce vehicle miles traveled? Why reduce vehicle miles traveled? What is this agenda for & what will it accomplish? Who will benefit? Again, our right to travel cannot be altered or impeded as that right is protected by the US Constitution & God. Pg. 117 Objective 20 Achieve a transportation system that employs all modes of transportation at a community scale. All items need to be revised Pg. 117 continue: Objective 21 Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff. Policies All items Red: Concern See item 21.1 “green infrastructure strategies, and pollution prevention procedures....” Again, sine the Planning Board does not understand EMF pollution & its dangerous - what are they talking about here “pollution prevention procedures..” Pg. 118 continue from above. Actions & Objective 22 Increase transportation safety for transportation’s most vulnerable users and reduce traffic fatalities.Policies All items Red: revise Pg. 119 Continue from above. All items from 22.7 to 22.9 Red: revise Concern. 22.7 Plan. 22.8 Maintain dedicated roadway standards that are appropriate to roadway type and achieve active transportation and safety goals. Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles. This appears to be referencing the very unproven technology of ‘driverless cars??’ Emerging technology needs to go through rigorous standards of testing before being released onto roadways. This text here, with a clear reference to something that is already proving dangerous on the roadways and the subject of lawsuits does not belong in our County 22.9 Engage and collaborate with the owners of private roads and local community groups to help identify and develop road management agreements that mitigate road closures to provide emergency evacuation routes. Actions 22.a ● 22.b Develop educational programs promoting traffic safety. ● Objective 23 Adequately maintain public transportation systems. Policies ● 23.1 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans for pavement, bridges, and other road infrastructure to prolong the life of our transportation system as well as reduce its whole-life cost. ● 23.2 Maintain the unique features of historic bridges, while balancing safety needs and preserving historic and scenic character. ● 23.3 Prioritize the replacement of deficient and inadequate bridges and maintain pedestrian/bicycle access across bridges. ● 23.4 Design new bridges and bridge improvements to accommodate and not negatively impede identified scenic resources. ● 23.5 Evaluate freight routes identified in the State Freight Master Plan for required improvements to meet roadway standards. ● 23.6 Encourage the adoption of innovative materials and methods that improve roadway sustainability and resilience. Actions ● 23.a Create an asset management program. ● 23.b Continue the bridge inspection program and expand rehab or replacement to include active transportation accommodations. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 119 Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles. This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. These safety principles need to be spelled out or they don’t belong in the County Plan. Where something is designated an ‘action’ in a County General Plan Document, sufficient detail should be provided. This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. Roadway Standards The County adheres to several federal and industry standards for roadway design. These include the AASHTO Green Book and Roadside Design Guide, the MUTCD, the NACTO, and the Highway Capacity Manual.5 Examples of topics addressed by these guidelines include road geometry (e.g., curves, sight distance), safety within ROWs adjacent to travel ways, design speeds, level of service, signs/striping/signaling, and urban transit. In addition to these sources, the County adheres to the following locally defined standards. Street Standards Highways shall not be wider than four through travel lanes that accommodate single occupancy vehicles and should be limited to the most populated areas typically connecting residential areas with employment centers. Integrate transportation networks to 1. Pedestrian 2. Public Transit 3. Bicycle 4. Auto This is a directive for future transportation policy ? It is 4 words and yet it is a giant reach toward a set of ideals and it is not explained at all in detail. OBJECTION : prioritize the most vulnerable roadways users and the greenest modes of travel through a Multimodal Hierarchy (Figure 7) that prioritizes investments in the following order: This ‘policy directive’ reflects a radical socialist agenda of forcing people to give up automobiles and give up their autonomy at the same time. This shows contempt for the most basic principles of freedom. . We refer you to : The United States Constitution which “protects the freedom to move about within the country, both domestically and internationally. This fundamental right is deeply rooted in American liberty and has been recognized and protected by the Supreme Court. “ The priorities established in a General Plan should reflect careful consideration of the island’s economy and how to best support our island economy but instead this prioritization of pedestrians ‘first’ and ‘automobile’ transport reflects an obsession with addressing carbon as a ‘cause’ for an alleged crisis for our climate. . It’s strange to us that in this document that purports to be about a plan for ‘development’ there is barely a focus on the actual economy. Here instead we see a document ‘prioritizing’ Pedestrian travel (on an island with very few densely populated urban centers) without context of what will actually promote agriculture, commerce, industries, jobs and economic activities. This directive would make more sense for an Oahu General Plan because of the size of the land mass and ratio of population. If it is in this document without much explanation then it appears to be a reflection of a ‘fad’ in transportation policy rather than a practical and well thought out policy directive. The minimum roadway width standards to accommodate the County Roadway Classifications were adopted in Resolution 779-20. The following provides an overview of this standard with reference to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Functional Classification system. 4.2.6 Transportation Terminals: Airports and Harbors As a major hub for tourism, commerce, and connectivity, Hawaiʻi County recognizes the importance of effective planning and management of its airports and harbors. These key infrastructure components serve as lifelines that facilitate economic growth, enhance regional connectivity, and provide essential services for residents and visitors. Airports and harbors connect the County to the rest of the world, allowing for the efficient movement of goods, people, and ideas. They are essential nodes within the transportation network, acting as important economic drivers for the region. Efficient airports and harbors directly contribute to the success of various industries, including tourism, agriculture, trade, and logistics. Moreover, they are instrumental in supporting emergency response efforts, disaster management, and ensuring the overall resilience of the region’s transportation system. Again, over and over the objection ‘in general’ to this General Plan 2045 is that the document references ‘economic growth’ and yet does not address the actual drivers of the economy in detail. As public servants it is your best service to our island if you would study how you can support the farmers, producers of goods and services to build a great economy together. Unfortunately there are dozens of instances where legislators and public servants have imposed restrictions, fees and taxes on those very ‘drivers’ of our economy. Airport Terminals and Harbors do not ‘cause’ the economy to grow and are not drivers of the economy and yet we see a General Plan with weighted emphasis on ‘transportation’ and urban development without seeing evidence of a study of what will actually support the individuals and households that produce economic value for our actual economy. This is an extremely poor outcome for a document that presents as a ‘guide’ for legislators and policy makers for the next 20 plus years. The principal concerns of planning for transportation terminals involve a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects, including location, zoning of adjacent land, infrastructure development, capacity management, safety and security measures, environmental sustainability, integration with other modes of transportation, and financing and programming of improvements and services through capital improvement projects. While the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for the actual design, construction, and operation of terminals and supporting facilities, the General Plan addresses the location of these facilities in relation to the pattern of overall land uses. There are two deep draft harbors on the island, one in Hilo and another in Kawaihae. While improvements continue to be made, both harbor terminals lack adequate docking and Harbor has increased significantly as the population and development in West Hawaiʻi continue to grow. In 2011, the Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan was developed by the State to accommodate the future needs of facilities ● ● ● Air terminals that transportation are in Hilo, Waimea, ʻUpolu, and Kona. The terminals at Hilo and Kona are overseas facilities. ● CONCERN: THE HARBORS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII. THEY ARE HARBORS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR ISLAND AND WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY. WHAT HAPPENED TO HOME RULE? WHERE WAS THE CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE TO HAND OVER CONTROL OF OUR HARBORS TO THE STATE ?. Overseas flights at the Kona International Airport at Keahole will continue to increase with the growth of resort areas in Kona and Kohala. Overseas flights through Hilo International Airport have been important for agriculture in East Hawaiʻi. What is concerning about this County General Plan 2045 is the lack of analysis about our actual economy. WHY DO WE SEE A DOCUMENT THAT STATES ‘OVERSEAS FLIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WITH THE GROWTH OF RESORT AREAS?’ THIS PLAN SEEMS FLAWED DUE TO LACKING IN CRITICAL ‘ARGUMENTS’ FOR THE PLANNED GROWTH BASED ON ACTUAL NUMBERS AND STUDIES . IF THERE ARE STUDIES AND STATISTICS THAT DO SUPPORT THE ASSERTIONS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE GENERAL PLAN ABOUT PROJECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH THEN THEY SHOULD BE REFERENCED AND INCLUDED IN THE PLAN. ALSO CITATIONS OF WHERE THIS INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC IN ‘CONSULTATIONS’ ● STRANGELY THE HILO PLAN IS MISSING FROM THE GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENT AND THIS IS ONE OF TWO URBAN CENTERS AND THE CENTER FROM WHICH TWO OF THE ‘HARBORS’ AND ‘TERMINALS’ OPERATE? THIS SEEMS (AGAIN) A GLARING OMISSION. ● Since 2011, the DOT has embarked on a $2.3 billion Hawaiʻi Airports Modernization Program to improve the safety, capacity, and efficiency of our major passenger and cargo airports. As the population becomes more mobile and as resident and visitor populations increase, there will be a greater demand for new and expanded transportation facilities that are adjacent to compatible land uses and include alternative and active transportation connections to decrease the demand for cars and reliance on fossil fuels. OBJECTION TO THIS SENTENCE IS THAT IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY FACTS OR AN ARGUMENT MADE FOR THE CASE BEING PRESENTED. AGAIN THE CONCERN ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT IS THAT IT IS COMMITTING OUR ENTIRE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEGISLATURE TO A RADICAL COURSE OF ACTION BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT FOSSIL FUELS ARE TO BE ERADICATED AND THAT PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ALSO BE ERADICATED AND OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED. THESE PREMISES ARE PART OF A RADICAL SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION SINCE IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LIMIT THE FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS TO FREELY MOVE ABOUT. service inter-island 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 122 Objective 24 Improve accessibility to airports, harbor systems, and support facilities. Policies ● 24.1 Encourage the programmed improvement of existing terminals, including adequate provisions for control of pollution and appropriate and adequate covered storage facilities for agricultural products. ● 24.2 The State Department of Transportation should continue to implement its plans for transportation terminals and related facilities to promote and follow desired land use policies. ● 24.3 Transportation terminals should be developed in conjunction with the different elements of the overall transportation system. ● 24.4 Encourage maximum use of the island's airport and harbor facilities. ● 24.5 Encourage the development, maintenance, and enhancement of Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors as detailed within the State’s Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan. . THIS COULDN’T BE MORE VAGUE AS A STATED OBJECTIVE. IT DOESN’T REFERENCE THE VERY PRACTICAL MATTERS OF ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR ISLAND. WHERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ACTUAL ECONOMY IN THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT ? THIS ALSO OMITS MENTION THAT A PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY WOULD BE THE RATIONALE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT KAWAIHAII AND HILO HARBORS. AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO HANDING OVER HARBORS TO THE STATE OF HAWAII WHERE THEY ARE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE ISLAND ● 24.6 Support the State’s objectives to acquire rights within the runway clear-zones, limit heights within approach zones, and restrict noise-sensitive uses within designated noise contours determined by the State. CONCERN: THIS APPEARS TO REFERENCE PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND SUGGESTS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD ‘SUPPORT’ THE STATE TO RESTRICT USES AND ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS ‘NEAR TO AIRPORTS?’ THIS AGAIN IS ONE MORE COMMUNIST LAND GRAB PRACTICE. THIS DOESN’T BELONG IN OUR COUNTY PLAN DOCUMENT FOR 2045. ● 24.7 Future land uses in the vicinity of airports and harbors should have an adequate open space buffer and/or be compatible with the anticipated noise exposure and industrial nature in the vicinity. ● 24.8 Encourage pedestrian-oriented connectivity around harbors and small boat harbors. ● 24.9 Encourage master planning of small boat harbors to accommodate commercial and recreational fishing, tour boats, as well as business and recreational ocean activities, that balance economic vitality and environmental sensitivity. Actions ● 24.a Create a strategic improvement plan, including mapping, for County owned and/or managed boat harbors and develop an island-wide needs assessment to better serve regional gaps in ocean accesses. ● 24.b Ensure collaboration with State agencies to offer a variety of transportation options at airports and harbors. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 123 4.3 PUBLIC UTILITIES 4.3 Public Utilities ● 4.3.1 Introduction ● 4.3.2 Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions ● 4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation ● 4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse ● 4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure ● 4.3.6 Electricity and Renewable Energy THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE MANY USERS FROM HARBORS (SAILING COMMUNITY, FISHING COMMUNITY HAVE EXPERIENCED CONCERN ACCESS TO HIGHER USER FEES AND MORE RESTRICTIONS OF USE IN RECENT YEARS) AND MANY OF THE HARBORS IN THE STATE HAVE BECOME PRIVATIZED. (If privatization occurs, then management controls everything. .) . ● 4.3.7 Telecommunications and Broadband Connectivity 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 124 4.3.1 Introduction In Hawaiʻi County’s pursuit of a prosperous and resilient future, public utilities stand as pillars of essential infrastructure. THERE IS A LOFTY CLAIM MADE BY THIS ENTIRE EXERCISE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DOCUMENT ITSELF REPRESENTS ANY KIND OF PLAN FOR A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE. THERE ARE MANY BUZZWORDS THAT ARE BEING USED IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT ARE HOLLOW. THESE WORDS THEMSELVES DON’T CONJURE UP A FUNCTIONING ECONOMY BUT THEY DO OFTEN GIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS THE WARM FEELING THAT THESE WORDS CAN ‘DO ALL THE WORK.’ THIS DOCUMENT IS LACKING IN A GROUNDING OF ACTUAL ECONOMIC STUDY AND LACKS THE INSIGHTS INTO THE OBVIOUS WAYS THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM SECTOR AND ENCOURAGE NEW INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND. These are services regulated by the government and provided in response to existing and prospective patterns of development. Changes in land use, population density, and development usually generate changes in the demand and supply of utilities. As the backbone of modern society, public utilities encompass a wide range of vital services that support the health, safety, and sustainability of our communities. This critical infrastructure allows us to function in many ways, including the ability to maintain healthy living conditions, proper sanitation, and access reliable energy to power our homes and businesses. Public utilities play a key role in forming the foundation upon which social, economic, and environmental progress is built. Such essential services enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses while safeguarding the natural resources and cultural heritage of our island. The significance of public utilities can be understood through their contributions in the areas of environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and social well- being. Public utilities drive environmental stewardship by promoting clean energy generation, efficient water management, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives. AS PART OF GENERAL PLANNING AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICE, WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO AUDIT OF THE WASTEWATER DIVISION OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT? NO DOCUMENT PURPORTING TO PLAN AHEAD FOR 2O PLUS YEARS CAN COVER FOR THE FACT THAT MALADMINISTRATION AND POOR LEADERSHIP HAS LEAD TO MULTIPLE ‘FAILS’ OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT WHERE LEAKS OCCURRED AND THE PUBLIC WASN’T ADEQUATELY INFORMED. THE PLAN SHOULD START WITH A MORE SERIOUS ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURES OF THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM. Through the application of sustainable practices and technologies, public utilities protect our fragile ecosystems, mitigate climate change impacts, and preserve the beauty of our island for future generations. HOW DO ‘PUBLIC UTILITIES’ ‘MITIGATE’ ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ? This is an example of a wild overstatement and is not supported by fact. Additionally, robust and reliable infrastructure attracts investment, supports economic growth, and fosters job creation. From powering local industries to enabling efficient transportation networks, public utilities are catalysts for economic development, making our communities more resilient in the face of challenges. Waste to Energy incinerators have been opposed multiple times in the past in Hawaii County and each time a massive multi million dollar contract for construction of an incinerator was required which the public was going to be financing over many years. We notice that the Incinerator ‘Waste to Energy’ proposal is in this County General Plan 2045 in spite of all the protests in the past. This history of pushing forward unpopular projects that have seen community objection and then forcing the property Access to safe and affordable utilities is a fundamental right of every individual. Really ?? Who wrote this ? As a general comment, it has been pointed out repeatedly that this ‘General Plan’ document is poorly written and has many flaws.Here we see misuse of the term ‘fundamental rights’ where there is no such ‘fundamental right.’ While ‘Safe and Affordable utilities’ may be considered ‘essential’ for a ‘standard of living’ or to meet the definition of ‘economic prosperity’ but use of the phrase ‘fundamental right’ is a confusion of what the legal understanding is concerning ‘fundamental rights.’ The ‘fundamental rights’ of say .. ‘freedom to move’ ARE (as cited elsewhere in the transportation section) the rights that this document happily waives aside (ignoring the Constititution in the process) . Further, there should be statistics included about what proportion of the island currently is ‘off grid’ since that proportion is very high and those numbers would provide a necessary context for all discussion about proposals to provide utilities ‘affordably’ AND ‘universally.’ Public utilities ensure equitable distribution of resources, allowing residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy necessities such as clean water, affordable energy, and accessible internet-based services. These services enhance public health, education, and overall quality of life, fostering thriving and inclusive communities. ‘ As with previous comment, this entire section seems flawed due to lacking in facts. This statement reflects ‘wishes’ rather than a series of steps toward an attainable goal. Given the unique challenges posed by our geography and vulnerable ecosystem, the General Plan aims to effectively guide the development, maintenance, and improvement of these critical services. This section of the Plan is primarily concerned with the planning aspects of our, water, wastewater, stormwater, electricity, and telecommunications systems. of utility facilities such as reservoirs, pumping stations, and sewage treatment plants is an Planning for the location important aspect of the land planning process, as it makes way for development opportunities. Where is the context for this statement? Here we see the notion of ‘development opportunities’ being introduced without context or explanation. This is objectionable since it could be interpreted by future administrations or legislatures as a ‘mandate’ for growth while lacking any parameters. Unintegrated utilities can burden developments with lower levels of service and may limit or even prevent development. The integration and availability of public utilities in priority growth areas are imperative. CONCERN: Changes in the intensity of land use greatly influence the quantitative design of utilities and services, particularly their design capacity. There may be distinctions in the type of services offered for each utility as land use intensities vary. These distinctions also depend on local codes and ordinances, health and sanitary considerations, and practices followed by utility companies. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 125 Table 33: Public Utilities Challenges General • Funding and financing the development, conversion, repair, operations, and maintenance of public utilities are central challenges for communities, developers, and county government. • Any large infrastructure expansions are paid for by developers and the costs are not to scale for financing. • Geographical variability and obstacles require creative solutions for utility buildout. • Aging public utility infrastructure must become more resilient to natural hazards, extreme weather events, and • • Outdated utility systems and practices can pose environmental and health concerns and are expensive to change. explanation here of what is meant by ‘priority growth area’ . Why isn’t this spelled out more ? Why is there no clear WHAT IS MISSING HERE IS REFERENCE TO THE IDEA THAT HOMEOWNERS WILL ALL BE ASKED TO PAY FOR CONVERSION FROM CESSPOOL/ SEPTIC OVER TO ACTUAL COUNTY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS TOPIC DESERVES A FULL DISCUSSION. DITTO WHAT IS CONCERNING IS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ‘DEVELOPMENT’ OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.. climate change impacts. WHERE ARE THE CITED STUDIES PROVING THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING WEATHER EVENTS / CLIMATE WEATHER ? IN THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT WE SEE NONE REFERENCED. Absent, aging, or dilapidated infrastructure limits new development where it is needed, consistent with strategic land use patterns and inhibits existing development. THIS SENTENCE IS POORLY WRITTEN WITH THE RESULT OF CONFUSING THE READER. WHY ARE WE LEFT WONDERING WHAT IS BEING SAID HERE? • Disputes over water source capacity can prevent development where it is needed and consistent with desired development patterns. • Water commitments have been assigned to parcels that are not being developed or lack development potential. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR ELSE EXPLAINED SO THAT THE MEANING IS CLEAR. • Guidelines for assigning water units per system need to be updated. • Modeling of water demand and potential demand needs to be closely aligned to land use. • The water systems serving, North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, and Puna will require additional water source development. • On-site wastewater disposal can adversely impact groundwater resources. • Wastewater planning and policy primarily focus on maintaining and servicing existing systems and do not proactively plan for developing new systems to accommodate growth or to extend existing lines to align with urban zoning. • County policy has largely relied on private developers to develop commercial and private wastewater systems for new development, which ultimately leaves significant municipal service gaps in urban areas. • Many County wastewater systems may not be able to accommodate unserved, existing zoned capacity and projected growth. • Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing private systems or upgrades due to the insufficiency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. • Wastewater requirements hinder the redevelopment or rehabilitation of existing structures and are often seen as an affordable housing issue. • Treated wastewater is typically discharged into ocean waters or injected into the ground and is not generally reused. • Wastewater infrastructure improvement and development costs are not fiscally planned for, either in the County budget or through County wastewater fee valuation. • Individual wastewater systems (IWS) are associated with limitations and regulations. Currently, the Department of Health’s rules do not allow single-family dwellings and additional dwelling units (ADU) on a single IWS system. • Reliance on IWS is an impediment to compact development due to minimum lot size requirements for IWS, thereby contributing to sprawl. • Coastal residential neighborhoods without centralized wastewater are contaminating near- shore waters with pollution from IWS. REFERENCE TO SEPTIC /CESS POOL SYSTEMS. ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL THIS APPEARS TO BE A SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. THIS SEEMS TO IMPLY A POLICY DIRECTIVE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO APPLY TO COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS ? IMPOSING FINES OR HIGH COSTS TO HOME OWNERS TO ADDRESS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MAINS SEWER OR EVEN SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN ROCKY TERRAIN WILL LEAD TO DELINQUENCY AND THEN FINES AND POTENTIAL SEIZURE OF PROPERTY. THIS IS A VERY ‘DANGEROUS’ POLICY DIRECTIVE TO LEAVE AMBIGUOUS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE MUST BE EXPLORED AND CLEARLY STATED. THIS DOCUMENT IS CITING THE HUGE OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR ISLAND WHERE SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON CESSPOOLS. WHILE THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE BIO-REMEDIATION METHODS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL ‘WASTEWATER TREATMENT’ NO STUDIES ARE INCLUDED, NO MENTION OF THESE KINDS OF OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED. BIO REMEDIATION WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BELONG IN A DOCUMENT LIKE THIS SINCE SUCH METHODS SHOULD BE EXPLORED AS A COST SAVING MEASURE AND DATA IS AVAILABLE TO DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVENESS. FURTHER THE IMPACT TO COASTAL ECO SYSTEMS OF INADEQUATELY TREATED WASTEWATER AND RAW SEWAGE ARE WORTHY OF MENTION HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT. TO CITE A WELL KNOWN EXAMPLE: THE ‘GENKI BALL’ EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN SEVERAL POLUTED WATERWAYS IN HAWAII. MOST NOTABLY THE ‘GENKI BALLS’ USED AT ALA WAI CANAL IN HONOLULU RESULTED IN BETTER WATER QUALITY AND FISH RETURNING TO THE AREA. WHERE A COMBINATION OF CULTURED ‘BOKASHI’ AND CLAY WERE INTRODUCED TO THE WATERWAYS THUS BILLIONS OF MICROBES WERE RELEASED CAPABLE OF REDUCING ECOLI AND OTHER LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN THE WATER. THIS AND OTHER KINDS OF BIOREMEDIATION BELONGS IN A PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR HAWAII ISLAND. PAGE 126 • The looming deadline to convert cesspools to sewer or other IWS may create lack of local expertise to meet demand if not properly planned. • The future impacts of climate change on future rainfall volumes are uncertain. • Outdated codes limit the effectiveness of stormwater infrastructure and stormwater-related practices. • Water quality changes caused by non-point source pollution, human activities, erosion, and sediment transport can negatively impact environmental systems and processes. • A lack of incentives and flexibility exists in the permitting process for stormwater and green infrastructure. • There is a lack of a dedicated funding source for public systems. • There is a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. • The State of Hawaiʻi has the highest electricity rates in the United States. • Building codes, design perspectives, and construction practices can increase electrical demand. • There is a constant need to update and renovate electrical systems and infrastructure. • The adoption of renewable energy practices may offload environmental costs to other distant WHERE IS THE FACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS ‘MAN MADE CLIMATE CHANGE’? communities, which can offset positive climate action. POORLY WRITTEN , AMBIGUOUS GENERALIZING STATEMENTS LIKE THIS DO NOT BELONG IN A COUNTY GENERAL PLAN . WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY THE TERM RENEWABLE ENERGY ‘PRACTICES?’ WHAT ENVIRONMENT COSTS ARE REFERRED TO HERE? HOW ARE COSTS ‘OFFLOADED TO DISTANT COMMUNITIES’ HOW ARE THESE OFFSETTING ‘POSITIVE CLIMATE ACTION?’ • Renewable energy developments can be controversial, such as geothermal and wind turbines. THIS • disrupts efficiency and productivity and is a barrier to accessing public services and information. • Last mile infrastructure is often the most costly and difficult segment to deploy, especially for rural areas where distances from a central distribution point are greater and population density doesn’t economically promote the deployment. • Consistent and accurate service data is needed to provide a constantly improving network for the island. • • General • Ensure that utility development matches desirable development priorities. • Streamline the process of utility infrastructure development to achieve the highest possible level of service for our communities. • Lead the charge in resource conservation and assess creative solutions to incentivize STATEMENT IS OBJECTIONABLE. THE REASON THESE ‘ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS’ ARE ‘CONTROVERSIAL’ IS THAT THEY HAVE INJURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HARM. WE NOTE THAT NUCLEAR POWER WAS IN THE ORIGINAL FIRST DRAFT OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL.IF MAKING A CASE FOR GEOTHERMAL OR WIND TURBINES (OR NUCLEAR ENERGY) OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ACKNOWLEDGING THE RISKS SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO THE PUBLIC. Inadequate access IN MEANING. INADEQUATE ACCESS TO WHAT ? THIS IS A POOR SENTENCE AND IS AMBIGUOUS THE STATEMENT ‘PROVIDING A CONSTANTLY ‘IMPROVING NETWORK’ CAN BE INTERPRETED TO REFERENCE THE INCREASINGLY INTENSE LEVELS OF SIGNAL BEING ESTABLISHED. 5 G WHILE BRINGING HIGHER SPEED LEVELS OF DATA TRANSFER IS PROVING TO POSE A HEALTH RISK TO HUMAN TISSUE. THE REGULATION OF 5G TOWERS WITH CONSIDERATIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AN URGENT ISSUE. WE NOTE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ZENDO KERN HAS RECENTLY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES THAT WILL NOT STRINGENTLY ENFORCE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY. Providers seeking to deploy broadband infrastructure face multiple layers of permitting and approvals at both the State and County level, in addition to community opposition regarding the installation of telecommunications towers. SEE ABOVE COMMENT. THIS REFLECTS AN INTENTIONAL DISREGARD FOR SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ARE WIDELY DOCUMENTED AND CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION. Limited competition in broadband service providers and transpacific backhaul providers means high consumer rates due to a lack of competition within the market. (??? THIS IS JARGON THAT ISN’T EXPLAINED ) • Pursue creative funding and financing tools such as Community Facilities Districts (CFD) and Improvement Districts, for utility development, conversion, repair, operations, and maintenance. THIS NEEDS BETTER EXPLANATION. ‘CREATIVE FUNDING’ IS AN OBJECTIONABLE TERM AND SOUNDS LIKE A PROCESS FOR SELLING OFF UTILITIES OR FINANCING CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE SO EITHER WAY, THE PUBLIC WILL PAY MORE FOR UTILITIES. resource conservation for the public. • Prioritize the conversion and modernization of outdated utility systems and practices. • Use an integrated approach to value all water as a resource (e.g., drinking water, wastewater, stormwater). • Collaborate with asset management (e.g., road resurfacing and utility upgrades). ASSET MANAGEMENT IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. • Explore public-private partnership opportunities to create circular systems. • Increase partnerships and enhance collaboration with government, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders. • • Seek creative funding for significant expansion of water systems to reach new customers in non-service areas. • Promote and practice water conservation practices to maximize efficient water use. • Adopt One Water recommendations to standardize interagency collaboration in planning for and managing water resources. • • • Exercise some controls over the permitted uses within the defined zone of influence for downstream deep well sources. ANOTHER VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS USUALLY IS ANOTHER WORD FOR INCREASING PUBLIC DEBT WHILE GIVING AWAY PUBLIC ASSETS TO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS. THIS IS MORE FROM THE PAGES OF SOCIALISM AND WE REJECT IT. HERE ‘OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’ IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. PLEASE DEFINE IT CLEARLY OR TAKE IT OUT ALTOGETHER. Explore innovative ways to fund water infrastructure improvements to attract development that is consistent with desired density and the land use pattern. AGAIN A REFERENCE TO ‘DESIRED DENSITY AND LAND USE PATTERNS’ THIS HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAMINED IN THE PLANNING DOCUMENT AND IS BEING REFERENCE HERE AS A STANDARD Rainfall collection can provide additional water capacity even where we have Department of Water Supply (DWS) systems. NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. Align the Water Use Development Plan, Master Plan, General Plan, DWS Capital Improvements Program (CIP), DWS guidelines, DWS water commitments, and private improvements to the DWS system. NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. IN THIS GENERAL PLANNING DOCUMENT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MENTION OF THE IMPACT OF MILITARY ON THE SOIL, WATER AND AIR QUALITY. HERE A REFERENCE TO POLLUTERS UPSTREAM OF WATER SOURCES AND YET MILITARY IS NOT MENTIONED? POHAKULOA MILITARY BASE CONTINUES TO LEASE FOR $1 AND CONDUCTS LIVE FIRE TRAINING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ISLAND’S VAST AQUIFER. IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN FACT THAT DEPLETED URANIUM HAS BEEN SCATTERED ONTO THE BASE AND CONTINUES TO BE DISTURBED BY MILITARY ACTIVITIES UP THERE. • Encourage groundwater recharge from regional scale master planning to on-site best management practices such as low-impact development (LID). • Prioritize sewer for sensitive urban areas. • Proactively seek grant funding to assist with wastewater development. • Advocate for expanding cesspool conversion tax credit to all cesspool conversions. THESE ARE MAJOR COSTS BEING PASSED ON TO HOME OWNERS. • Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as those for technology upgrades and innovation. • Promote the expanded use of greywater for landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge via rules for new construction and retrofits • Advocate to the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt appropriately scaled requirements and standards and develop flexible guidelines for designing and permitting wastewater systems that meet environmental objectives. • Low-pressure systems should be prioritized for retrofitting instead of gravity flow. • Drinking Water Wastewater 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 128 Stormwater Electricity & Energy Telecommunications & Broadband • Increase availability and access to information about private wastewater treatment plant capacities or expansion opportunities. • Prioritize resiliency measures that support climate change impact scenarios. • Regularly amend County codes to be as current and innovative as possible. • Increase opportunities for recycled water. REMEDIATION IS A MAJOR OMMISSION THIS SHOULD BE ELABORATED SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A DIRECTIVE. THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO BE CONSULTED ON SUCH MATTERS. AGAIN STATING THAT REFERENCING OVER AND OVER THE NEED FOR ‘WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT’ WHILE DEDICATING NO TIME AND EFFORT TO EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BIO THE TERM ‘PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP’ IS A TERM ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED DEBT FOR THE PUBLIC AND A REDUCTION (USUALLY) IN HARD ASSETS THAT ARE HANDED OVER TO CORPORATE PRIVATE INTERESTS. development can contribute more to a centralized system. Higher-density HERE AGAIN WE SEE AN ASSERTION THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HIGHER DENSITY AND THIS LACKS PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND YET • Be a leader in prioritizing green infrastructure over gray infrastructure. • Ensure that stormwater infrastructure decisions align with related plans and the CIP budget. • Green infrastructure practices may provide opportunities for creating or expanding industry. • Prioritize the use of native plants in landscaping. • Promote and support the development of alternative energy production facilities. • Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management. THIS STATEMENT WARRANTS ELABORATION OR IT DOESN’T BELONG IN THIS DOCUMENT. • Hawaiʻi Island has the highest renewable energy percentage in the State and can continue to support renewable energy projects to decarbonize our energy system and stabilize electricity costs. WHAT DOES ‘DECARBONIZE OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ ACTUALLY MEAN ? ELECTRIC CARS ON THE ISLAND ARE CHARGED AT STATIONS THAT RELY ON POWER FROM DIESEL FUEL GENERATORS. IN OTHER WORDS ELECTRIC CARS REMAIN DEPENDENT ON THOSE FOSSIL FUELS BUT WE SEE OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROMOTING ELECTRIC CARS AS PART OF AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STRATEGY. THE NOTION OF ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ IS FEEDING A MYTH ABOUT HOW RAPIDLY ‘WE’ CAN TRANSFORM OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. THE IDEA OF ‘DECARBONIZING’ THE ENERGY SYSTEM IS VERY VERY RADICAL AND IS COMING FROM A SOCIALIST MYTH THAT CARBON (THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE) IS ‘BAD’ AND THAT SOMEHOW ‘CARBON’ IS THE CAUSE OF WEATHER EVENTS AND ‘CLIMATE CHANGE.’ THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS A RADICAL AGENDA TO ‘DECARBONIZE’ OUR ENTIRE ENERGY SYSTEM. FURTHER, SINCE THIS WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE DISRUPTION TO THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SINCE IT IS IMPLIED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE DISCOURAGED FROM MOVING ABOUT ‘FREELY’ THIS IS A RADICAL OVERHAUL OF OUR ECONOMY WHICH IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE MANY PAINFUL SHOCKS TO INDIVIDUALS, OHANA AND COMMUNITIES. THIS IS ABOUT THE CLEAREST EXAMPLE OF ‘RECKLESS’ ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. WHAT IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING ABOUT SEEING THE COUNTY DOCUMENT LINE UP SO CLOSELY WITH DECLARED GOALS OF AN ELITE INSTITUTION REPRESENTING THE WEALTHIEST 1% OF OUR PLANET (‘THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’) IS THAT THIS ORGANIZATION APPOINTED ITSELF AS THE CUSTODIANS AND ARBITERS OF A PLAN TO BRING IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHICH IS THE MOST RADICAL OF ALL THE TRANSITIONS AT ANY TIME IN HISTORY AND BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A SERIES OF CRISES: PANDEMIC DISEASE, ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’ THAT APPEAR AS A CRISIS AND ALSO FOOD SHORTAGES IN PART CAUSED BY INTERFERENCE WITH SUPPLY CHAIN THAT BEGAN WITH LOCKDOWNS IN 2020. THE CATCH PHRASE BY WEF LEADER KLAUS SCHWAB AT THE TIME OF INTRODUCING ‘THE GREAT RESET’ WAS ‘BY 2030 YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY.’ WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO TERMS SUCH AS ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ BECAUSE THIS IMPLIES THAT YOU HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE PUBLIC A) TO ASSERT THAT CARBON IS A PROBLEM AS IF THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS TOPIC WHEN THERE IS NOT AND B) TO TAKE EXTREMELY RADICAL AND DANGEROUS STEPS TO TRANSITION THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Support the County’s Broadband Initiative and coordination with the State to facilitate digital equity efforts (e.g., establishing broadband as a public utility, infrastructure deployment, providing training support, and coordinating funding strategies for broadband and telecommunication services). AFTER 5G THERE IS 6G COMING . WITH EACH OF THE INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN THE INTENSITY OF THE FREQUENCY ILLNESSES AND TISSUE DAMAGE RESULTS CONSISTENT WITH ‘RADIATION POISONING’ . THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT TO REVIEW SAFETY INFORMATION AND TO TAKE AN APPROACH THAT HAS A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE. THIS IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD OF GOOD • • GOVERNMENT. Compact development and higher population densities where appropriate are favorable for commercial service providers as they contribute to more economically viable market conditions. WHICH ‘COMMERCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS’ IS THIS REFERENCING ? THIS STATEMENT NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED BETTER OR ELSE REMOVED FROM THIS SECTION. Providing consistent and accurate digital literacy data will promote a desirable level of service for all residents. WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY DATA AND HOW WILL THIS PROMOTE A DESIREABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE ? IS ‘DIGITAL LITERACY DATA’ A CLASS OF INFORMATION THAT COMES WITH VIGILANT PROTECTION OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL; THEIR PRIVACY AND THEIR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ? WITHOUT PROTECTION OF THIS KIND, IF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS WAIVING ON THE INVASIVE DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES OF THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY, THEN IT MAY BE ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE PRIMACY OF SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE WRITTEN INTO THIS GENERAL PLAN. THERE IS A LOT OF DATA TO SUPPORT THAT WHEN THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPROMISED, THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENDANGERED AND TYRANNY WILL LIKELY RESULT. THESE ARE THE REASONS THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT IS FLAWED: WE DON’T SEE CARE TAKEN BY OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY. . • Increasing digital inclusion efforts, which focus on ensuring both access to and ability to use a range of technologies, will contribute to better outcomes for health, public safety, economic opportunity, and civic participation. • Streamlining permitting and approval processes will improve the efficiency of broadband and telecommunication development and delivery. • Pursue partnerships to develop public spaces with broadband access. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 129 THE TERM ‘digital inclusion’ IS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT MORE ACCESS TO 5G AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH IS A POSITIVE THING. THIS PREMISE IS WIDELY PROMOTED IN THIS POLICY DOCUMENT AND YET NO SAFETY STUDIES ARE CITED. THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF A LOOSE SET OF GUIDELINES FOR TOWER PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF AN OBJECTIVE THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 4.3.2 Public Utilities Goal, Objective, Policies, and Actions Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Objective 25 Improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. Policies ● 25.1 ● 25.2 Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and effectively serve the needs of the community. ● 25.3 Utility facilities shall be designed to complement adjacent land uses and minimize pollution or disturbance of the natural environment and natural resources. ● users. ● 25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. Public utility facilities shall be designed at a scale that meets the needs of future development. IN THIS DOCUMENT SO FAR, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT AN ACTUAL FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY, ON THE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT, HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CONSIDERED. WHY IS THERE AN EMPHASIS ON ‘FUTURE DEVELOPMENT’ WITHOUT THE MAIN FOCUS BEING ECONOMIC GROWTH? 25.4 Improvement of existing utility services shall be encouraged to meet the needs of THIS IS MEANINGLESS. WHY IS THIS SENTENCE NECESSARY ? WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS IDEOLOGY. IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT IT NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR WHAT IT IT: ‘SMART CITY’ PROPAGANDA. STACK EM AND PACK EM HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE A PART OF THE PLAN AND THIS IS A RADICAL COMMUNIST AGENDA THAT WE REJECT. IT IS THROUGHOUT THIS DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING. THE SMART CITIES THAT ARE BEING DESIGNED GLOBALLY ARE ANOTHER REFLECTION OF WEF STATED GOALS TO CREATE URBAN CENTERS WHERE SURVEILLANCE AND CARBON MONITORING FORM THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CONFINING PEOPLE AND PREVENTING THEM FROM MOVING ABOUT FREELY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TRAITOROUS PROPOSAL TO FIND IN A DOCUMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERING TO OUR ISLAND A PLAN FOR OUR WELL BEING AS A COMMUNITY, FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND FOR THE CARE OF OUR ‘AINA. ● 25.6 Develop short- and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. ● 25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. Actions 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 130 4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation The Hawaiʻi State Constitution provides that all public natural resources, including water, are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people. The State Constitution further maintains that “the State has an obligation to protect, control, and regulate the use of Hawaiʻi’s water resources for the benefit of its people.” Water availability is crucial to any type of development, whether urban, rural, or agricultural. Water availability is based on the sustainable yields of the groundwater hydrologic units established through the State Water Code.1 Land use allocation must be closely related to water availability, including the quantity and quality of the water, and the adequacy of the transmission and distribution system. The General Plan requires an understanding of water availability and capacity, current demands, and future demands based on planned and anticipated future growth and land uses. ‘ The County’s Department of Water Supply (DWS) is the primary agency that manages, controls, and operates the water supplies of the County and its properties. There are 23 individual water systems distributed throughout the island. Water demand is directly related to population and industry usage and is expressed as gallons per day (gpd) or million gallons per day (mgd). Demand does not represent domestic consumption alone, but also includes all agricultural, industrial, and commercial uses, fire protection, and other uses. In some areas, however, non- domestic users are likely to create the major demand, and careful attention must therefore be given in any study of probable future water needs. In Hawaiʻi, there are a multitude of public agencies that are either actively tasked with regulating water resources or whose policies affect water use. There are also a number of private entities that use and manage water resources. Over the decades, water management has become segregated in a way that has created disjointed, mechanical approaches to a naturally continuous resource. The disconnection has included narrow perspectives that fail to see the larger picture. Hawaiʻi County aspires to achieve water resource management that is free from the limitations and issues of siloed practices, processes, agencies, and government bodies. Achieving a One Water approach in Hawaiʻi County includes actionable steps that can be adapted and adjusted to localize the One Water strategies. QUESTION : WHY IS A PRIVATE COMPANY BEING SOLD THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER IN HILO ? WHY ISN’T A PLANNING DOCUMENT CONCERNED WITH FUTURE WATER ACCESS CLEAR THAT NO WATER IS TO BE ‘SOLD’ OR COMMERCIALIZED SINCE IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII? One Water One Water is a strategy that integrates the management of stormwater, wastewater, groundwater, sea water, freshwater, graywater, and recycled water to create resource and financial efficiencies. ANY PREMISE USED TO CONTROL WATER ACCESS, WATER RIGHTS WHETHER BY A CORPORATION OR A GOVERNMENT MUST BE REJECTED. WATER IS AN INCREASINGLY PRIVATISED COMMODITY ACROSS THE WORLD. THIS SHOULD CONCERN US. IT ALREADY SEEMS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT ON THE ONE HAND APPLICANTS HAVE REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED VIA A COUNTY PERMITTING PROCESS TO PURCHASE THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER FROM OUR MAUNA KEA AQUIFER AND ON THE OTHER HAND THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE PROMOTING CONTROL OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN A CENTRALIZED FASHION INVOLVING MULTIPLE ‘UNDISCLOSED AGENCIES’ FURTHER, AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNTY OF HAWAII WILL ADDRESS ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS’ WHEN THE VERY PREMISE OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY MULTIPLE LEADING AUTHORITIES AND IS THE SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY DUE TO THE LACK OF HARD EVIDENCE THAT ‘CARBON’ IS THE CAUSE OF ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’ AND ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’ THAT APPEAR TO REPRESENT AN EMERGENCY. Objective 26 Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water. Policies ● 26.1 All public water systems shall be designed and built to the DWS dedication standards. All other systems shall meet all relevant health and safety regulations and be designed and constructed by a licensed engineer. ● 26.2 Water sources shall be protected to prevent depletion and contamination from natural and man- made occurrences or events. will help the County of Hawaiʻi address climate change impacts by creating cross-agency coordination One Water and advancing the capacity within agencies. ● 26.3 An effort by County, State, and private interests shall be coordinated to identify sources of additional water supply to be implemented and ensure the development of sufficient quantities of water for existing and future needs of high-growth areas and agricultural production. ● 26.4 Installation or rehabilitation of water distributions shall be sized to adequately meet fire protection. ● 26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. ● 26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+ units) in the North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona, and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation, recharge, and reuse measures to reduce the water footprint. ● 26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. ● 26.8 Water system improvements, including exploratory wells, shall correlate with the County's desired land use development pattern. ● 26.9 The DWS shall prioritize infill development and focus source development to serve designated Urban Growth Areas. ● 26.10 Waterdemandprojectionsshallincludeallconsumptiveandnon-consumptivedemands. ● 26.11 TheDWSandthePlanningDepartmentshallcoordinateprioritiesbeforetheadoptionofanynew water development or County land use plans. ● 26.12 AllCountypotablewatersystemsshouldhavebackupstandbysources. One Water ● 26.13 ● 26.14 Managewater,stormwater,andwastewaterasthesamenaturalresourceincollaborationwithth e DWS, DEM, DPW, and DOH. ● 26.15 New developments should be designed to reduce water demand, retain runoff, decrease flooding, and recharge groundwater. ● 26.16 Supportlocalized,small-scalesolutionstowaterreuseandon-sitesystems. Actions 26.a In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conduct further research on localized rainfall modeling to accurately assess future precipitation trends. Treat all water as a valuable resource in community design, and integrate designs for drinking water, stormwater, and recreational water needs. CONCERN: AN EXAMPLE OF YET MORE POORLY EXPRESSED LANGUAGE THAT SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE. WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘RECREATIONAL WATER NEEDS?’ 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 132 ● 26.b Expand water conservation programs, primarily aimed at reducing demand, such as leak detection, and rebates for low flow. ● 26.c Evaluate and amend the fee schedule for water use to take into account high water use and aquifer recharge projections. Use the funds generated to pay for conservation measures and infrastructure. ● 26.d Improve County water conservation practices to lead by example. ● 26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield, present and future demand, alternative sources of water, guidelines, and policies for the issuing of water commitments. ● 26.f Collaborate with the DOH to develop standards and/or guidelines for the construction and use of rainwater catchment systems to minimize the intrusion of any chemical and microbiological contaminants. ● 26.g Promote the use of groundwater sources to meet DOH water quality standards. ● 26.h Seek state and federal funds to assist in financing projects to bring the County into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. ● 26.i Explore the feasibility of incentive methods such as property tax deductions, conservation easements, or transfer of development rights to protect the defined zone of influence of existing or proposed public and private wells. AGAIN THIS SEEMS TO REFER VAGUELY TO THE PRIVATISATION OF WATER AND CONVERSELY TO PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY CONSIDERED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. UNDER A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM ONE COULD EASILY EXPECT THAT A GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CRAFTING POLICY IN SUCH A WAY THAT TRANSFER OF PROPERTY FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FACILITATED. ● 26.j Investigate alternative financing options for expanding water systems to support infill growth consistent with ● 26.k Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to develop, improve, and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. ● 26.l Continue to participate in the United States Geological Survey (USGS) exploratory well drilling program. ● 26.m Expand programs to provide agricultural irrigation water. One Water ● 26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial, industrial, and residential properties. ● 26.o Codify the administrative structure needed to develop a water resource program and interdepartmental collaboration framework. the County’s desired land use development pattern. AGAIN THIS IS A VAGUE REFERENCE WHEN THAT SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AMBIGUOUS AND THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES THE VALUE OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT. ● 26.p Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to develop and facilitate community partnerships between upstream and downstream communities. ● 26.q Develop public-private partnerships to leverage funding sources. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 133 Table 35: Water System Standards Domestic Consumption Guidelines Zoning Designation Residential: Single-Family or Duplex Multi-Family Commercial Resort Light Industry Schools and Parks Agriculture •• Average Daily Demand 400 gals/unit 400 gals/unit 3000 gals/acre 400 gals/unit or 17,000 gal/acre 4000 gals/acre 4000 gals/acre or 60 gals/student 3400 gals/acre A unit, or, more precisely, one Equivalent Unit (EU) of water allows for an average daily usage of up to 400 gallons per day and a maximum daily usage of up to 600 gallons on any day but the average is still not allowed to exceed 400 gallons per day. One EU is typically served through a 5/8-inch meter and is considered adequate for a single-family home or dwelling and allows for some landscape or gardening usage. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 134 4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse The General Plan recognizes the significance of wastewater treatment and reuse as essential components of the County’s comprehensive water management strategy. Adequate sewer systems are vital to maintain public health and protect the environment. As communities generate wastewater through various sources such as residential, commercial, and industrial activities, effective treatment is necessary to remove harmful pollutants and contaminants before the water is discharged back into the environment. Improperly treated wastewater can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, coastal waters, and freshwater resources, jeopardizing both human and ecological health. An adequate system minimizes contamination of both the groundwater supply and coastal waters, beaches, and waterborne recreational areas and is not a visual and odor nuisance. Land development plans for resort-residential complexes located in shoreline areas pose a potential water quality problem for adjacent near-shore waters. Adequate treatment facilities are essential prerequisites for development. HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT WITH NO REFERENCE TO BIO REMEDIATION AND WITH THE SHEER VOLUME OF HOUSEHOLDS OPERATING OFF GRID, THIS DOCUMENT IS CREATING ‘CRIME’ OUT OF REGULAR HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS. THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A POLICY DIRECTIVE TO MANDATE/ FORCE HOUSEHOLDS TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR RURAL ISLAND IS A VERY RECKLESS DIRECTION TO TAKE. REFER PREVIOUS COMMENTS 1) AN AUDIT SHOULD BE DONE OF THE CURRENT WASTEWATER DIVISION 2) ALTERNATIVE BIOREMEDIATION METHODS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FINDINGS PUBLISHED. MORE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IS NEEDED BEFORE THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE WOULD BE ADOPTED SINCE IT WILL LIKELY BRING GREAT FINANCIAL STRAIN TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS AND REQUIRE ONEROUS LEVELS OF ‘ENFORCEMENT.’ Wastewater reuse, also known as water recycling or reclaimed water, involves treating wastewater to a level suitable for non-potable uses. Reusing treated wastewater provides an opportunity to conserve precious freshwater resources and reduce the strain on existing water supplies. For Hawaiʻi Island, where freshwater resources are limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts, the implementation of wastewater reuse projects becomes vital for ensuring water sustainability. The County operates municipal sewerage in Hilo, Pāpaʻikou, Kapehu, Pepeʻekeo, Honokaʻa, Kealakehe, and Kaloko. The remaining communities are served by private wastewater treatment facilities or individual facilities, such as cesspools or septic tanks. In 2017, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed Act 125, mandating that all Hawaiʻi’s cesspools be replaced by 2050. Cesspools are substandard sewage disposal systems as they do not treat wastewater. According to the latest report on the Hawaiʻi Cesspool Hazard Assessment and Prioritization Tool, Hawaiʻi Island contains an estimated 48,596 cesspools. Sewerage disposal system designs must be examined with the particular region in mind. Of critical importance in an examination of sewerage disposal for a community is the cost of the system, including construction and operation costs. These costs vary with the characteristics of each area. By implementing appropriate treatment processes, treated wastewater can be used for a range of purposes, including irrigation of agricultural lands, landscape irrigation, industrial processes, and groundwater recharge. This practice helps meet non-drinking water needs, reducing the reliance on freshwater sources for non-potable purposes and leaving more available for essential uses like drinking water. THERE IS NO MENTION HERE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MUST ACCOMPANY SUCH USES OF TREATED WASTEWATER. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 legislated the protection of all aquifers or portions of aquifers currently serving as drinking water sources and any other aquifer capable of yielding consumable water. This mandate was based on a national concern for the quality of the groundwater and the increasing evidence of contamination of this valuable resource. In 1976, the State Legislature enacted Act 84, relating to safe drinking water, which requires the State Department of Health (DOH) to establish an underground injection control program to protect the quality of the State’s underground sources of drinking water. Because of the importance ofgroundwater as a source of municipal water supplies, the underground injection control program is considered a beneficial approach in the identification of aquifers that should be protected from subsurface disposal of wastewater through injection wells. The protection of these aquifers is established by designating areas currently being used or will be used in the future for drinking water supply. In compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92- 500), the DOH and the County jointly prepared the Water Quality Management Plan for Hawaiʻi County in 1978 and subsequently updated the plan in 1980. In 1979, the County Council adopted the plan through a resolution to serve as the planning guide for the development of regional waste treatment systems and the control of non- point sources of pollution. To implement the management plan, the County has prepared facility plans for various areas on the island. Facility plans are developed by the County to satisfy a requirement for the application of loans from the State to develop wastewater treatment facilities. The facility plans identify problems, potential solutions, and costs. In 1985, the State Legislature enacted Act 282, Relating to Environmental Quality, which reassigns the County, effective July 1, 1987, or upon receipt of State funds, to assume complete administration and implementation for the regulation of sewerage and wastewater treatment system programs. Source: Hawaiʻi News Now (2022). 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 136 HERE AGAIN THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE PRIMARY POLLUTER OF THE AQUIFER : THE MILITARY BASE ON POHAKULOA. THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF TESTING WATER QUALITY AND TESTING FOR CONTAMINANTS. THIS IS ANOTHER DIVISION OF OUR COUNTY THAT SHOULD BE AUDITED. WHY IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT A MILITARY POTENTIAL ‘SUPER FUND SITE’ OPERATING ABOVE A PRISTINE AQUIFER? The Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW) will be protected from pollution by prohibiting the construction of new injection wells that may pollute the USDW. Injection wells are allowed in exempted areas. The boundary lines between the USDW and the exempted areas have been developed. ** PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION OR ELSE TAKE OUT THIS EXEMPTION REFERENCE. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE BETTER INFORMED UPON READING THIS PLAN, NOT LEFT IN THE DARK TO WONDER . Under Chapter 62, Wastewater Systems, the DOH adopted a 1,000-foot setback of wastewater systems from all public drinking water wells and springs. Objective 27 Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality. Policies ● 27.1 A Sewerage Study for All Urban Areas, including appropriate water quality management strategies, shall be completed and used as guides for the general planning of sewerage disposal systems. ● 27.2 Private treatment systems shall be installed by land developers for major resorts and other developments along shorelines and sensitive higher inland areas, except where connection to nearby treatment facilities is feasible and compatible with the County’s long-range plans, and in conformance with State and County requirements. ● 27.3 Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant sites, sewerage pump station sites, and sewer easements according to the facility plans to facilitate their acquisition. ● 27.4 The County shall obtain State and Federal funds to finance the construction of proposed sewer systems and improve existing systems. ● 27.5 Plans for wastewater reclamation and reuse for irrigation and biosolids composting (remaining solids from the treatment of wastewater are processed into a reusable organic material) shall be utilized where topographically feasible and needed for landscaping, agricultural purposes, or fire protection. Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ● 27.6 Pollution shall be prevented, abated, and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal, State, and County standards. ● 27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas (UGA) with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. ● 27.8 The Department of Environmental Management and the Planning Department shall coordinate priorities before the adoption of any new wastewater development or land use plans. ● 27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion, improvements, and new development. ● 27.10 Ensurewastewaterfeesreflectactualcostsforservice,maintenance,andfutureimprovements. ● 27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies, prevent accidental leaks or spills, and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting natural resources. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ● 27.12 Striveforanintegratedapproachtostormwaterandwastewater,andwaterresourcemanageme nt that is comprehensive and as efficient as possible. ● 27.13 Encourageon-sitewaterreusesolutionsforlargedevelopments. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 137 27.14 Encourageandincentivizethecollectionofrainfallfornon-potableuse. 27.15 PrioritizetheuseofgraywaterinareasconnectedtoCountywaterandnotconnectedtoCounty wastewater. Actions Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ● 27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. ● 27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district (CFD) or tax increment financing (TIF) to aid in implementation. ● 27.c Review, assess, and amend Codes relating to sewer connection requirements to ensure wastewater issues and requirements are addressed in a consistent, sustainable, and socially equitable way. ● 27.d Develop a wastewater master plan with a clear prioritization method for wastewater system expansions and improvements based on criteria involving land use, projected growth, social equity, and environmental factors. ● 27.e Develop plans to improve, connect, or develop new wastewater systems in unsewered urban coastal communities. ● 27.f Perform a study to assess individual wastewater systems (IWS) in unsewered urban growth areas to assess the rate of failures/negative impacts, determine rates of large capacity cesspools still in use, and develop plans to improve, connect, or develop new wastewater systems for unsewered urban communities. ● 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for public-private partnerships for wastewater collection and treatment development. ● 27.h Facilitate the use of infrastructure improvement districts and other types of localized funding mechanisms to fund improvements. ● 27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. ● 27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water model fee structure). ● 27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems. Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries, urban zoning and density, population trends and anticipated growth, health/safety, and environmental factors. ● 27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. ● 27.m Amend the County Code, Section 21-26-1(a) requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council” to read, “all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” REFERRING AGAIN TO CONCERNS THAT THIS IS AN UNFEASIBLE COST TO REGULAR HOUSEHOLDS. THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING POLICY DIRECTIVE AND AS ACKNOWLEDGED HERE, MORE STUDIES WOULD BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING SUCH POLICIES.. SO WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS EMPHASIS IN THE GENERAL PLAN ? 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 138 ● 27.n In collaboration with the DOH Wastewater Branch, reevaluate and clarify the requirements set forth in Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR), Section 11-62-31.1(a) (1) (B) and amend County sewer requirements accordingly to accommodate needed housing units. ● 27.o Collaborate with the DOH to advance progressive wastewater technology and regulations. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ● 27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. ● 27.q Install non-potable systems, such as reclaimed wastewater, brackish groundwater, and untreated surface water in proximity to priority UGAs for non-potable water uses. ● 27.r Conduct supply and demand studies to determine a level of service for non-potable water needs. ● 27.s Facilitate greywater reuse systems through code amendments and through partnering with DOH for regulatory changes and incentives. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 139 4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure Stormwater management and the implementation of green infrastructure are critical elements of the General Plan for their vital role in sustainability on Hawaiʻi Island. As an island ecosystem with limited freshwater resources and vulnerable coastal areas, managing stormwater effectively and integrating green infrastructure practices are essential for preserving our water resources and ensuring environmental sustainability. Stormwater refers to the runoff from precipitation that flows over land surfaces, eventually entering water bodies such as streams, rivers, and oceans. Stormwater is a crucial element of the island’s overall water landscape. While precipitation may be an obvious contributor to stormwater, all the phases of the hydrologic cycle are related to stormwater and are influenced by public utility decisions made in the built environment. Precipitation and surface runoff are often the phases of the hydrologic cycle that people recognize as stormwater, whereas evaporation, transpiration, and condensation are not as easily observed processes. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can lead to various detrimental effects on water resources and ecosystems. Polluted runoff, also known as nonpoint source pollution, from agriculture, urban development, forestry, recreational boating, marinas, and hydromodification activities is the leading cause of water pollution in waters across the country and in Hawaiʻi. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can also lead to localized flooding, causing damage to infrastructure, property, and even loss of life. Implementing stormwater management strategies helps to control the flow of stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding and associated hazards. Moreover, excessive stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion, leading to the loss of fertile topsoil, sedimentation in water bodies, and degradation of natural habitats. Proper stormwater management practices, including erosion control measures, help minimize erosion and preserve the island’s natural resources. Stormwater is a prime example of the unavoidable connections that exist between the built environment and the natural environment. Increasing the opportunities for infiltration and transpiration can reduce the amount of evaporation that surface runoff requires. The social, environmental, and economic impacts of stormwater infrastructure have meaningful implications for our overall island sustainability as water is one of the most precious resources. Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering efficiency in conveying stormwater runoff using impervious surfaces (e.g., paved swales, channelized streams) must be balanced against environmental considerations. If the drainage is directed to streams, excessive freshwater volumes and sediment loads may impact coastal water resources (e.g., degrade water quality and smother coral reefs). If the drainage is directed to injection wells, more studies are needed to determine the impact of storm runoff on groundwater quality. Sediment basins, wetlands, or less impervious methods of conveyance (e.g., grass swales) should be considered where feasible to reduce nonpoint source pollution of the coastal waters from stormwater runoff and filter infiltrating water. Green infrastructure refers to the network of natural or engineered features that manage stormwater while providing additional benefits to the environment and community. Such features may include rain gardens, permeable pavement, bioswales, and vegetated buffers. Green infrastructure is crucial for stormwater management, as it captures and absorbs runoff, reducing the volume and rate of runoff. By mimicking natural hydrological processes like sediment filtration and bioremediation, it helps to recharge groundwater, replenish streams, and 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 140 reduce stress on our water resources during periods of heavy rainfall. By retaining and infiltrating stormwater, green infrastructure reduces the reliance on freshwater sources for irrigation, thus conserving water resources. This is particularly important for our island communities where freshwater availability is limited. Green infrastructure features may also provide habitats for native plants and wildlife. They contribute to biodiversity conservation and help restore and enhance Hawaiʻi Island’s natural ecosystems. Green infrastructure plays a key part in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, moderating temperatures, and increasing resilience to extreme weather events. These measures align with the County’s sustainability goals and efforts to adapt to climate change. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 141 Page 166 34.15 Encourage the expansion of digital access and equity through the resilient buildout of broadband infrastructure and facilities. Does this take into account the safety of 5G+? Is this to facilitate surveillance of citizens in the future? Page167 34.a Implement a Safe Route to School (SR2S) program for all schools. Will surveillance be implemented to ensure safety? Page169 4.4.6 Recreation Housing developers should not bear a disproportionate burden, or be forced to contribute more than their fair share, as inequitable requirements could deter needed housing development. This proviso seems to favor developers. Page171 35.a Provide funding for planning and acquisition,if necessary, of key corridor segments after corridor-zone plans are adopted. Does this preclude the rezoning and acquisition of private property? CONCERN: HERE AT LEAST WE SEE REFERENCES TO BIOREMEDIATION. WHY IS THIS ‘ACCEPTABLE’ AS A STRATEGY WHERE TREATMENT OF WATER RUN OFF IS CONCERNED BUT NEVER ENTERTAINED IN THE MATTER OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT (A ‘SOLUTION’ AND POLICY DIRECTIVE HERE WHICH THREATENS TO BE COST PROHIBITIVE TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS? ) 35.k Maintain an on-going program of identification, designation, and acquisition of areas with existing or potential recreational resources, such as land with sandy beaches and other prime areas for shoreline recreation in collaboration with government, private and non profit agencies, and other stakeholders. Please include private property owners in your definition of stakeholders. Page 175 4.4.7 Encouraging the establishment of farmers’ markets, community gardens, and a range of agricultural activities can promote local food production and improve access to fresh nutritious food. Please include home gardens. Page 177 36.g Support the distribution of telehealth support services, particularly to unserved and underserved communities. Encourage instead person to person contact. 36.j Amend the County Code to designate a lead agency for coordinating and responding to outbreaks of life- threatening, highly communicable diseases pursuant to the DOH direction. While ensuring the statues of the Nuremberg Code are observed. Page 179 4.5.1 Blueprint for the creation of a 15 minute island, clustering us together in “a centralized, higher-density urban infill, supported by nearby, accessible public and private services and facilities.” Page 181 Under Housing Challenges Targets: “Homeownership for investment purposes that are kept vacant or used for transient accommodation rentals reduces available stock for long term resident ownership and rental opportunities.” Prohibits and discourages the rights of private ownership. Page 182 37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UBG) should be prioritized for residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside the UBG are converted into urban uses. With the consent of property owner should be included. Page183 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. 38.a Perform existing housing inventory data analysis to identify structural conditions and needs for rehabilitation or demotion. Both justify the necessity of more surveillance of the community. 38.a also precludes the private property owner’s rights and opinions. Take this out or revise. Page 184 39.5 Allow for and apply property tax and land use regulations to incentivize private property owners to provide affordable housing units in mix-use and urban areas and to discentivize the land banking of unimproved properties. In other words land use regulations and property tax hikes will be weaponized against the private property owner. TAke this out or revise! Page185 Table 40: Additional Infrastructure - Provide adequate broadband without invading people’s privacy. Ensuring future surveillance capabilities? Page188 40.8 Require all County Departments to collaborate with the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as the lead agency to ensure the integration of the County’s goals of sustainability, climate resilience, and equity into all county operations and planning initiatives. To whom does OSCER answer? Who’s watching the watchdog? THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023. IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC AS AN AGENCY THAT COULD ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE GRANTED EXTRA POWERS AS AN ADMIINISTRATIVE ARM OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO THE LANGUAGE ‘REQUIRING’ ‘ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS’ TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSCER. ADEQUATELY DEBATED IN OUR COMMUNITY . WE CHALLENGE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS MATTER AND WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE OSCER ‘AGENCY’ TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE ABOVE. WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO STAGE A FULL PUBLIC REVIEW OF BOTH SETS OF DATA AND BOTH ARGUMENTS THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE CRISIS CAUSED BY CARBON THE ‘Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER)’ BEGINS WITH A FLAWED AND DISPUTED PREMISE THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE ‘CRISIS’ AND THAT THE OTHER 3 ‘PILLARS’ OF THE ORGANIZATION (SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY AND RESILLIENCE) BELONG TOGETHER AS PART OF A ‘SOLUTION.’ WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘SUSTAINABILITY’ IS THAT THIS WORD LEADS THE IDENTICAL AGENDAS OF CONTROLLING LAND USE, WATER RIGHTS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACE, THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL, FARMING AND PASTURING OF ANIMALS AND FOOD SECURITY. THESE BUZZWORDS ARE COMING FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND THE UNITED NATIONS. ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION AND ‘NET ZERO’ PROMOTE A DANGEROUS AGENDA OF OVERRIDING SOVEREIGN HOME RULE LOCAL COUNTIES AND STATES AND REPLACING WITH ‘GLOBAL AGENDAS’ WHICH ARE BRINGING IN ‘COMMUNIST’ VALUES AND SYSTEMS OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DESTRUCTION OF SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSETS. WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘EQUITY’ IS THAT IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING A WAY OF WAVING ON A COMMUNIST STYLE OF ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS WHICH PROMOTES LARGER PORTION OF THE POPULATION BEING ON WELFARE AND DIVERSITY HIRE PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE MEDIOCRITY AND NOT MERITOCRACY. THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ ALSO HAS COME TO BE ANOTHER ‘BUZZ WORD’ THAT IS A RATIONALE FOR THE CATCH PHRASE ‘BUILD BACK BETTER’ AND THE IDEA THAT MORE RIGOROUS BUILDING CODES, MORE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE BUILDING COSTS AND INSURANCE COSTS WILL FOLLOW IN THE AFTERMATH OF EACH ‘DISASTER.’ THE COUNTY’S ‘GOALS’ OF sustainability, climate resilience, and equity HAVE NOT BEEN ELSEWHERE IN THIS DOCUMENT THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE PREMISE THAT THE RECENT FIRE IN LAHAINA WAS ‘NORMAL’ AND THAT THE RESULTING LOCKDOWNS AND FAILURE OF GREEN ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS TO REBUILD ARE ALSO ‘NORMAL.’ TO THE CONTRARY, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN LAHAINA FOR THE PAST 13 MONTHS EXEMPLIFIES THE WAY THAT THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ HAS COME TO MEAN ‘CONTROL OF A POPULATION AFTER A DISASTER TO THE POINT THAT MANY WILL BE DISPLACED AND WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE THE AREA, FINDING NO WAY TO REBUILD AND RESTORE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOOODS.’ Page194 Resulting in Longer Commutes: There are notable mismatches between locations of high population and job centers. Further justification for clustering in population centers. Further policy directive to justify curtailing personal independent transportation options. This again is objectionable and shows contempt for a fundamental constitutional right and as such has no place in a policy document published by this County Administration. Page 196 Table 43:Economic Opportunities / General Increase broadband infrastructure to provide opportunities for participation in the digital economy while allowing for other economic alternatives. CBDC’s here we come! Page 206 46.i Partner with government, private and non profit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders for carrying capacity studies of fisheries and the establishment of State community-based subsistence fishing areas. More restrictions on fishing rights. Oddly in 5.3 Agriculture and Food Systems there is no mention at all of hunting and gathering. Page 210 Wahi Pana Need assurances our wahi pana and other natural assets will be protected from commodification and collateralization. Page 213 49.1 [Encourage the] [i]ntegrat[ion] [of] ʻāina- place-based values 49.2 [Encourage] the accessibility 49.3 [Promote] a visitor industry 49.5 [Encourage] regenerative tourism efforts 49.6 [Foster] initiatives and improve[d] efforts 49.h and farmers, homeowners, and other residents to develop and support place-based educational programs COMMENT: FINALLY HERE IS A DIRECTIVE THAT SPEAKS TO SUPPORTING THE EXISTING ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE ON THIS ISLAND. THE FACT THAT THIS IS SHOWING UP ON PAGE 214 SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ANYONE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS SUPPOSED TO GUIDE THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE. THE OPENING SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE EXISTING CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF THE ISLAND. THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT AND HELP GROW IN THIS AREA WOULD BE ALL Page 215 6.1 para 2 presenting [residents a true voice] for the future of Hawaii Island. 1 [where citizens collaborate with the County to effect change consistent with plans developed under this chapter.] 3 Ensure consistency among the General Plan and respective regional plans [What are regional plans?] 4 set forth in the General Plan’s [Should this be plural or possessive?] 5 Establish an implementation system that is based on county-wide, regional, and agency levels [What are regional and agency levels?] Page 216 Top para by promoting [economic] growth, 2nd para collaboration among various [residents] “ Key areas of focus include fostering [understanding of the role of government in] ensuring community engagement and input, securing funding, and coordinating priorities. Page217 6.2.1 Para 1 Community Development Plan Framework During the General Plan Comprehensive Review process, existing community plans were used to guide the CDP framework. From the adoption of the Kona, Puna, North and South Kohala CDPs in 2008, Kaʻū CDP in 2017, and Hāmākua CDP in 2018, there has been much to learn and grow from as we look to the future. The General Plan also benefited from years of collective participation in CDP implementation efforts through regional committees that implement their respective CDP. [NOTE: Hilo was not included in this CFP framework. Although there had been Hilo meetings in the past that dealt with some issues contained in the General Plan, no mechanism was put in place that paralleled the multi-year single-purpose work that was undertaken in the other six districts.] Para 2 To build on these lessons learned, future CDPs[, which it is hoped will include a CDP for Hilo,] shall be drafted The purpose of a CDP is threefold: 3. Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue [through open-forum townhalls where vigorous question-answer format is primary, eliciting the priorities of the community.] Page 218 6. Social Capital and Community Network Mapping During the process of reviewing a Community Development Plan, instances where community needs are not met may be identified. Examples of this may include a need for community gathering spaces such as parks or recreation hubs. Community Development Plans may identify such needs and outline a plan of action for community members and other [Hawaii Island residents] to coordinate efforts, combine and collect resources, and connect public and private sector agents to advocate for such enhancements to their community. [In the case of Hilo, where a CDP was never initiated by the Planning Department, an examination of why this was neglected must be addressed, for the purpose of getting input from this district even though the General Plan may have been already implemented. This could be accomplished through addendums to the General Plan at future dates.] Page 224 6.4.3 Para 1 The General Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide [innovative] development patterns, [and provide assistance toward] future opportunities and public investments. Para 3 The tables are intended to provide a clear and concise reference for agencies, policymakers, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents Page 225 Table 45 Climate change, carbon footprint, net zero,GHG emissions, green infrastructure projects, climate adaptation The above terms, taken from Table 45, derive from the United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development, inaugurated in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Residents of Hawaii Island have never had the opportunity to engage in discussions in every town, using every venue, to discuss the entire subject of climate change. It is a foundational subject, as it is the substrate upon which so much of the General Plan is predicated. It is un-Democratic to simply take ideas from other places and cement them into the plans we make for our own people, our own land, our own island, without engaging in an unhurried, full-blown examination of this agenda, neighbor with neighbor. Until such time as this takes place, we must place this draft of a General Plan on hold. Table 46 Objectives 13. Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. As above, SMART is an acronym taken from the World Economic Forum that pertains to Internet-Of-Things technology. Its purpose is linkage of devices for the purpose of control and monitoring. No island-wide discussion has taken place as to the merits of SMART GROWTH. Again, it is a concept from far away, irreversible once implemented, without so much as a real attempt to inform residents. How can a General Plan proceed on concepts alien to the people? Table 47 21. [Engineer infrastructure] to reduce stormwater runoff. Page 227 Table 48 25. Improve the efficiency and reliability of essential infrastructure systems. , and sustainability 28. Increase green infrastructure practices. Example Indicators Annual funding allocated for [efficient] infrastructure initiatives Percentage of new development projects including [efficient] infrastructure elements Table 49 Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure P232 6.4.4 1.a Seek [procedure] to support wetland identification and assessments. 1.j Identify partners and [S]upport a public awareness and education campaign to elevate recognition of the value of urban trees as essential infrastructure. 3.b Create special (business) improvement districts to engage in environmental research, restoration and maintenance, natural resource management, climate change or sea level rise adaptation or other purposes to benefit. improve environmental conditions and provide community 4.a [Seek Hawaii Island residents and groups] to maintain and steward the preservation of sites, buildings, objects, and landscapes of significant cultural and historical importance. 4.c 4.h [Foment discussion among] government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners, and other residents 4.i private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners, and other residents Table 54: Climate Change 240 Table 56 Transportation Access and Mobility 20.e Support the identification of Heritage Landscapes, Corridors, Areas, and Centers. Heritage designation is UNESCO. It is crucial that Hawaii Island maintain control of its lands and natural resources, free of encumbrances of global organizations [Delete Table 54: Climate Change has not been debated across Hawaii County in a systematic way. Such a debate would entail townhall presentations by each side, allowing all the time necessary to absorb the decades of information circulating through media and academia. At some later time, these information-gathering events could then be followed by public open debates. Hawaii Island residents at that juncture would then be ready to decide whether they wished to premise all future growth on the notion of Climate Change, or reject it as unscientific.] Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. [Complete Streets derives from Agenda 21’s SMART Cities designation. It has nothing to do with residents of Hawaii Island, until such time as they can be apprised of the overall design of Agenda 21, as it entails constricting traffic, expanding bike lanes and bus routes, installing islands - many changes that may or may not be workable. Hilo and Kona have very different requirements, and a cookie-cutter approach levels differences. Just because it is recommended by a national or international association does not mean it is suitable here. Again, it must be thoroughly discussed across the island before a decision can be made.] 22.a [Vision Zero, as stated above with Complete Streets, is an internationally utilized approach to pedestrian safety that first needs a full discussion here to see to what extent it is workable, if at all.] 243-255 27.d 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for [strategies] for wastewater collection and treatment development. Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles. social equity,[No relevance to this category] 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low impact development. 28.f Create a green infrastructure dedication standard. 28.l Identify County parks and recreation, rights-of-way, and other County owned sites for green infrastructure demonstration projects 29.a Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents for the research and development of alternative/renewable energy resources. 30.d Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities and other [Hawaii Island residents] 30.i [Encourage private] funding for broadband initiatives and deployments. 30.m Foster [private investments] to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, 32.c 32.p This point to be deleted 35.c Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 35.d Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 35.i government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 35.k private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents Review county lighting and landscaping ordinances to implement CPTED. component of a SMART City that watches, listens, announces, tracks, records. It is a creation of CPTED is a Agenda 21 and the WEF and the UN. It must be rejected by the residents of Hawaii Island unless/until it is thoroughly discussed and debated. [ In light of the controversy in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, to be formulating a redevelopment plan, IN ADVANCE of an incident, creates a climate of distrust and anger. This subject must be handled very carefully in discussions with groups and individuals across the island.] 36.d communities, and other farmers, homeowners, and other residents 36.f communities, and other farmers, homeowners, and other residents Page 254 45.k Partner with government (e.g., DOT, DBEDT, etc.), private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents to monitor 45.l Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies (e.g., business associations, realtors, chambers of commerce, etc.), communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 45.m expand the research and development industry for [innovative] economic development. 46.i private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents Thank you for your consideration on this matter. Peace, love, and light, C. Christopher Barham From:Donald To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045/ Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 10:25:05 PM The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to:https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/63720 4664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costingpeople thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0 207bf286e.pdf The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It wouldcompletely change the way of life on the Big Island! Donald Noguchi From:Heidi Hirsh To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony Submittal for General Plan Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 10:37:11 AM Aloha, Please strike and toss out the 2045 general plan and stick to the 2005 plan. The 2045 plan hasglobaloists/deepstate goals and objectives throughout the plan. This is not the way we want to live. We DO NOT want to live in a 15-minute smart city where our lives are controlledthrough a digital way of life. The 2045 plan is driving us toward that kind of an imprisoned lifestyle. That is unacceptable. Please revisit and maybe update the 2005 plan to meet thedesires and goals of Hawaiian residents. Mahalo, Heidi Hirsh From:Mary Maxwell To:WPCtestimony Subject:I now put my testimony in body of this email, and also attach it identically. Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 9:01:07 AM Attachments:To Windward re 2045.docx To: Windward Planning Commission Thank you for considering my comment on Plan 2045. I strongly urge that it be dropped. I find Plan 2005 to be breathtakingly beautiful. We need such a thing for the whole world. So honest and so open. I am not normally worshipful of the Past, and I do see the need to move forward. But Plan 2045 would narrow the options. Why do that? And where is the sense of who actually favors the contents of 2045? To me, it sounds like all the political (pardon me) malarkey of the last several years. Dry words, obscuring secret policies. Finally, when the truth comes out, we mourn. Just don't go down that wrong road. Please. Please! Care for the true values of Hawaii. Let its good people speak. I can name three Hawaiians who are bursting with the urge to be helpful: Tina Lia of Maui, Michelle Melendez of Big Island, and Luna of HawaiiPaeAina.org. Not to forget Traci Derwin who moved to California. It brings tears to my eyes (not joking) to think of the potential for a Plan that would incorporate the dreams of such knowledgeable and dedicated individuals. What an opportunity! Just say No to Plan 2045 at the meeting today. This duty rests on your shoulders, Commission members, for generations hence. Thank you. Yours respectfully, Mary Maxwell, PhD Signed November 4, 2024 Website: ConstitutionAndTruth.com From:Gary Wong To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on Hawaii General Plan 2045/Go Back to 2005 GP! Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 7:36:17 AM The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive and supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms and property are at risk with this plan. Thank-you Rita Wong From:Sara Steiner To:WPCtestimony Subject:REJECT the 2045 Plan - keep THE 2005 Plan - STOP STEALING OUR LAND AND WATER AND RESOURCES Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 2:03:35 PM Dear Windward Planning Department: Do any of you folks that are pushing this live in rural areas? How can you draft this plan and tell us to our faces that you arn't going to support infrastructure that has been in place since you approved the substandard subdivisions in the Land and Power days??? You folks didn't write this plan, this is a New World Order Steal Our Property Plan and you don't get to do this!!!! How can you change my AG designation to "Natural" Area. I already have a farm for 20 years .... No No and NO!!! This junk 2045 plan says you arn't changing the zoning but you are! And then you go on and say the plan still has to be paid for and enacted by the Council but they can only approve the choices in the 2045 Plan - Period. What choice is that? It is no choice and you think your Planning Department head can take anyone's land whenever they want? And we have to pay money to contest it - FORGET THAT!!! How can you possibly think you can allot me so many gallons of water - YOU DON'T OWN THE WATER!!! How can you possibly think I should pay The County of Hawaii more because I am poor and live in a poor area with no roads and YOU WANT TO TAX ME CAUSE OF THIS - THIS PLAN SUCKS!!! The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentive private land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursue the acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources." We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! Again, You "planners" don't get to take our land and tell us where to live. You don't get to cut services, road and emergency response on the poor rural areas to focus on your urban clustering... We will see you in court if you enact this land theft plan ! Sara Steiner The Big Island General Plan 2005 supported communities to thrive AND supported stewardship of the land. The current 2045 plan is a complete 180 to the vision of the 2005 plan! Please throw it out and start using the 2005 plan to move the Big Island forward! To see the 2005 Big Island General Plan go to: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301643/637204664141830000 Here are a some reasons to throw out the 2045 plan: It is too vague. The language is not clear what the plan wishes to accomplish. There are MANY concerning sections that sound like rights, freedoms, and property are at risk with this plan. Page 111, section 17.4: "Land use application shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the counties open space network." This sounds like you'll be looking at people's property to take for open space because they apply for land use. That is not Pono and is an invasion of privacy! 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13): "Incentiveprivate land management practices that enhance natural resources and values and when appropriate pursuethe acquisitions of lands for the protections of natural resources."We've seen your incentives like the tax incentives on Maui, which is costing people thousands if they don't do what the government wants. You want to acquire land to protect natural resources and values. Who gets to decide what are natural resources and values? Whose values are they? Why do you think it's your right to "pursue" acquiring someone's private property?!! You have an entire section on climate change that looks to take away many freedoms and rights. Did you know there are close to 2K credentialed scientists from around the world that state there is no climate danger? https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ The reason for this narrative is the change these policies will create will increase the pocket book of investors in renewable energy as it reduces freedoms for the general population. Page 116, 19.7: "Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts and achieve sustainability and demand management goals." The Constitution says we have the right to travel! It is not the right of the Planning department to "demand" that your management goals reduce that right! Anything that reads, "Reduce vehicle miles traveled" should be removed from this plan! Please take a look at this pdf that shares a lot more issues with this general plan. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The words home owner and farmer are written zero times in the General Plan 2045. Farmer is in the 2005 general plan 14 times and home owner is written 4 times. 2005 General Plan was created by people who know Hawaii, her people and the land. That is the plan Big Island should use moving From:Hello ... To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 5:37:21 AM Aloha Council Members, Please go back to the Big Island General Plan 2005. forward. There are many other reason to use 2005 General Plan other than GP 2045. The biggest is the amount of regulations that 2045 would put on current and future generations as it takes away freedoms and imposes more rules, and fines. It would completely change the way of life on the Big Island! Mahalo, Yuki Klahr From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony Subject:Attn: Chair and other commissioners (Important info) Date:Friday, November 8, 2024 12:20:59 PM Aloha, I want to thank you so much for giving us a voice to recommend changes. I pray they will be takenseriously. We are working on a draft for you with updates like creating an Ag Village instead of changing landuse to "recreation" which will lower property value and is a violation of the Constitutional right toown property. Here is the first draft with recommendations I sent before Sept 26th to the Planning Department. Noneof these recommendations have been used and they shouldbe. https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf Here is the Climate Change Declaration signed by 1960 credentialed scientists stating there is noclimate danger https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf This is not aconspiracy theory. Here is a video from John Coleman the 1st weatherman on Good Morning America in the 70's and thefounder of the weather channel in the 80's. He explains why there is no climatedanger. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=nHqdzsLHx1XBm55u The rules and regulations that are based on climate change will further disregard the Constitution andpeople's right to live freely and should be removed. I will have a more detailed document with further recommendations for you shortly. The current General Plan 2045 will radically change the freedom people on Big Island have to thedetriment of our keiki. 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"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here November 5, 2024 Hawaii County Planning Department Windward Planning Commision Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Written Testimony Submission County of Hawaii Proposed General Plan 2045; Parcel (3) 2-1-06-16; 227 Kalanianaole Street, Hilo Hawaii I am writing to formally submit this letter as written testimony to accompany my verbal testimony given at the Windward Planning Commission; General Plan Hearing on November 1st 2024. My name is Chris Kaiser, an employee with Pacific Quest and I represent them for this testimony. I reside in Hilo, Hawaii. Pacific Quest is the long term tenant on both the above referenced parcel 16 AND adjoining parcel 17. We have been leasing both parcels since 2011 and we operate a Hawaii state licensed & CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited, Group Living Facility that provides mental health services to adolescents and young adults. We currently employ 75 people in Hawaii and have had a presence on the island for 20 years. We created and maintain the Pacific Quest Foundation that has donated over $65,000 to local charities since 2017. As a long term tenant of the above referenced parcel, employer and long term community stakeholder, Pacific Quest has an interest in the community and its future prosperity. We understand that the purpose of the Hawaii County General Plan is to plan for the best future for Hawaii island and we sincerely appreciate the time, effort and resources that have gone into it. As a long term tenant we have plans to expand our services, including to develop parcel 16, and are concerned that the proposed General Plan re-designation of parcel 16 would greatly impact any future possibilities under consideration, and thus impact our ability to thrive and continue offering mental health services and to create and provide jobs. We apologize for not being involved sooner in the comprehensive process that we are now aware is taking place. We were only made aware of this two weeks ago by our landlord and property owner David Owens, who received a letter dated October 10th, 2024, informing him of the proposed redesignation of parcel 16. In this letter it states that the proposed General Plan re-designation of Parcel 16 from its current “Resort” class to “Open/Recreation”. The reason cited in the letter is County Park. We understand that the General Plan is the overarching policy document that will guide development on the island going forward. Although the letter states that the County Zoning (Hotel/Resort V class) and its permitted uses would not be affected, the Planning Department has confirmed that there could be impact to our ability to secure an SMA use permit, (which is required in order to develop any SMA property). We also understand, in order to get an SMA Use Permit approved, the proposed development needs to be consistent with the General Plan which is where the incongruence between the proposed General Plan Open/Recreation “re-designation” for parcel 16 and its current and historical Hotel-Resort zoning class would likely create future impacts and uncertainty for our organization. In closing we want to reiterate our support for the process and hope that the Planning Department and Windward Planning Commission will exclude parcel 16 from any re-designation. Cordially Chris Kaiser, Director Pacific Quest chris@pacificquest.org From:James Agena To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Cc:Sidney Fuke Subject:Notice of Proposed Change in Parcel Designation TMK 7-3-009-063 Date:Friday, November 15, 2024 2:31:28 PM Attachments:Letter_11-15_Parcel 63 Designation_w-attachments_2.pdf Dear Sir or Madam, As counsel and manager, on behalf of Kaloko Residential Park, LLC, owner of property described as TMK 7-3-009:063 (“Parcel 63”), and regarding the Notice dated October 10, 2024, KRPL objects to the proposed redesignation of Parcel 63 to Conservation. Reasons are set forth in the attached letter/testimony. Further, please be advised that Mr. Sidney Fuke, and Mr. Gregory Ogin are authorized consultants for KRPL. Please contact me should you have any questions. James Y. Agena Kaloko Residential Park LLC ph. no. (808) 532-9588 email: jya@agenaesq.com This message, and any attachments hereto, are intended only for the addressee(s) and may contain privileged or confidential information. Any unauthorized disclosure, use, or distribution to third parties is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the transmission. Thank you. JAMES Y. AGENA Attorney At Law James Y. Agena, LLLC a Hawaii limited liability law company Four Waterfront Plaza, Suite 430 500 Ala Moana Boulevard Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 mailing address: P.O. Box 27 Honolulu, HI 96810 Telephone (808) 532-9588 Email: jya@agenaesq.com November 15, 2024 County of Hawaii Leeward Planning Commission Windward Planning Commission 101 Pauahi Street, Ste. 3 Hilo, HI 96720 Via email to: LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; and U.S. Mail Re: Hawaii County General Plan Comprehensive Review/ Notice of Proposed Change in Parcel Designation TMK: 7-3-009:063, O’oma 2nd, Kaloko, North Kona, Hawaii Dear Sir or Madam: My office represents Kaloko Residential Park, LLC (“KRPL”), owner of property described as TMK 7-3-009:063 (“Parcel 63”), regarding the subject matter set forth in your Notice dated October 10, 2024. KRPL respectfully objects to the proposed redesignation of Parcel 63 from the existing LUPAG of Urban (expansion) to the proposed GPLU of Conservation. Attached for reference is a map depicting Parcel 63 and surrounding properties, and the County information as to Parcel 63 in general. Please consider the following: The Designation Was An Error. Upon receipt of the Notice, KRPL (by Greg Ogin) was placed in contact by Zendo Kern, Director, with April J. Surprenant, AICP, of the office of Long Range Planning & Board of Appeals, Hawaii County Planning Department. It is our understanding from contact with that office that the designation was made in error. Possibly a GIS or mapping mistake that is in the process of being corrected. KRPL is Not a Party to a “Lanihau master plan.” The Notice states that the reason for the designation is the “Lanihau master plan.” This reason is vague and ambiguous as KRPL has no prior notice of a Lanihau master plan, nor anything that would require the sudden designation of its property. KRPL owns Parcel 63, and its 47 acres of previously designated Urban-expansion that it is comprised of, not any other entity. County of Hawaii November 15, 2024 Page 2 If this designation involves Lanihau Properties LLC and some manner of plan it proposes, then it is clear that it does not own, nor have an interest in Parcel 63. Nor is it known what exactly are the reasons for the need to convert Parcel 63, to Conservation zoning. It is unfair and impossible to rebut the designation without knowing the specific and authorized reasons for it. 1 The adjacent property to the south of Parcel 63, is owned by Lanihau Properties LLC (“Lanihau Properties”), and designated as TMK No. 7-4-008:081. See attached map. In the event this involves a development per a master plan proposed by Lanihau Properties, for its own benefit, which includes the redesignation of Parcel 63, which Lanihau Properties obviously does not own, it is obviously suspect and unjust. The Lanihau Properties plan needs to designate its own property for Conservation purposes to fulfill whatever intent it might have. The Designation Would Deprive KRPLof its Intended Use. KRPL intends to develop Parcel 63, along with other of its properties in the vicinity, to create a compact, mixed-use, master-planned community offering a wide range of housing types and affordability, and a variety of businesses and employment opportunities. This includes providing housing for the working families of Hawai'i nearby areas of workforce demand, resultantly improving overall quality of life through the reduction of commuting and facilitation of everyday function.2 To achieve this goal KRPL would seek a land use reclassification and zoning changes to permit these uses. A designation of Parcel 63 to Conservation would effectively prevent KRPL from proceeding with the intended development. Further, the designation would preclude KRPL from 1 Conservation being: (1) protecting watersheds and water sources; (2) preserving scenic and historic areas; (3) providing park lands, wilderness, and beach reserves; (4) conserving indigenous or endemic plants, forestry, fish, and wildlife; (5) preventing floods and soil erosion; (6) retaining open space areas to enhance the present or potential value of abutting or surrounding communities; (7) using areas of value for recreational purpose, other related activities, and other permitted uses not detrimental to a multi-use conservation concept. 2 The KRPL’s intended use of the property addresses the goals of the Keahole to Kailua Development Plan, prepared by the County of Hawaii Planning Department, and adopted by resolution by the Hawaii County Council in April 1991. The Development Plan is intended to serve as an implementing tool for the County General Plan and be a flexible guide for the future growth and development of the area. The Keahole to Kailua Development Plan encompasses an area of approximately 17,000 acres in the North Kona District extending from the Kau ahupuaa to the north, Mamalahoa Highway to the east, Palani Road and Kailua Village to the south, and the shoreline to the west. The overall goal established for the Development Plan is as follows: “To develop a mixed residential, commercial, resort, industrial and recreational community, with approximately 8,000 or more residential units, in a functional, attractive, and financially viable manner. The community will include appropriate shoreline uses, public facilities, and infrastructure.” County of Hawaii November 15, 2024 Page 3 realizing the economic benefit of the potential of the property, and have the effect of a governmental “taking” of property without just compensation. KRPL has paid a substantial amount of real property taxes in the past totaling approximately $250,000.00 based upon an Agricultural classification, and an expectation that it would be permitted to use the property for at least that purpose. Attached is the webpage from the County real property tax office describing the assessed market land value of $3,339,400.00 and property taxes paid. KRPL Has Protested in the Past to a Conservation Designation. The Draft 2040 County of Hawaii General Plan had proposed that KRPL property, including Parcel 63, be designated as Conservation or Low Density Urban. KRPL submitted an objection in November 2019, based upon many of the same reasons made in this letter. The 2019 objection in the form of a letter from its attorneys to the Planning Department is attached hereto, and incorporated herein by reference. KRPL renews the arguments made in 2019, in connection with the currently proposed designation. KRPL reserves the right to supplement this letter with further documentation and/or testimony. Should you have any questions, please contact the undersigned. Very Truly Yours, James Y. Agena Attachments C: Kaloko Residential Park LLC County of Hawaii Planning Department 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Building E, 2nd Floor, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i. ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 2 From:Ken Honma To:WPCtestimony; Stand Together Hawaii; statler.mark@gmail.com; Mark Jones; Helen Tupai Subject:Hawaii 2045 general plan input Date:Saturday, November 16, 2024 11:14:23 AM To: Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission Date: November 16, 2024Subject: Testimony On Hawaii General Plan 2045 Planning commission members, as a kupuna of Hawaii County, I wish to offer mythoughts to you on the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. Thanks for giving the people this opportunity.It is obvious that a lot of time and effort has gone into producing this very large document that will have many and great consequences for the present and futurepeople who live in the County of Hawaii. Therefore it is very important for the writers to be clear about who is creating this plan,and what legal grounds they have to put it forth. In this document, some of the powers that the the document includes, read like the commission intends to give itself dictatoriallevels of power. The guidance of people of Hawaii county must be the starting and ending point of alldiscussions regarding anything in the proposed general plan. Are the restrictions, taxes, accommodations, takings, enforcements, penalties,international associations, and complying with international values, in conformance with the U.S. Constitution? I leave it to you to discuss why this is so important. The peopleof Hawaii county consider it monumentaly important. At this time, the people of Hawaii county do not trust the county government, and having an open and public discussionabout constitutional conformance will help to alleviate questions and concerns about this.Although it’s a given, it is illegal for any laws to be passed that are not in conformance with the USA constitution. After all, your committee is legal only because of ourconstitutional republic process. We want it to be explicidly clear in this proposed plan, that you, the planning commission,know its’ place in the hierarchy of our republic. To remind all the writers and readers of this planof the fundamental reasons for the existence of this commission, please include the following inthe introduction of this planning document: We the People of the County of Hawaii, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establishJustice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, doordain and establish this General Plan for people of the County of Hawaii. In case you have forgotten, it is We the people of the county of Hawaii, who daily live, work,play, and die here, who are the authors of this document, and who are also its beneficiaries. Sincerely, Ken HonmaKenh.7553@gmail.com, 8089677553, P.O.B0x 451 Kurtistown, Hi. 96760 From:Amy Harlib To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Sunday, November 17, 2024 9:31:49 PM To Big Island Testimony, I fully support the below statements from Stand Together Hawaii. 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”. LocalCommunities 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 personallyaffected 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, asit 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 onpage 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 willdrastically 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. Thismust 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 climatedanger. Here is the pdf showing the scientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the firstweather 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 reasonfor 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. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed forBig 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: Papaikou Site Plan: PapaikouDevelopment: A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You can see it in the pdf below: Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Sincerely, Amy HarlibCitizen, USA From:Adele Henkel To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Date:Monday, November 18, 2024 4:37:38 PM Dear Fellow Hawaiians/Community Stakeholders, 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 be changed 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 to 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 scientists that say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf showing the scientists 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 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. But, there are extensive terra forming weather modification operations (aka geoengineering, SRM, etc.) being conducted by the U.S. military and their contractors. 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. 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. All in all, this plan being floated around the U.S, looks like a U.N. one-world-order agenda plan. Are you trying to surrender Hawaii to those globalist elites? Thank you for taking this to your Hawaiian hearts. AH Kailua Kona From:Dawn Singleton To:WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii Plan testimony Date:Monday, November 18, 2024 10:26:52 AM Here are some concerns: 1. The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld can have input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are localBig Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live on Big Island orhave property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, or activities in the generalplan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainability ofany 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 unelectedofficials. 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 bechanged from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their propertyvalue and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reducesomeone'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 Morning America and the Founder of the WeatherChannel has gone on CNN and other media outlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reasonfor 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 forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 6. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island! Weneed to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou, has createdan Ag Villages plan. Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: Papaikou Site Plan: Papaikou Development: A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You can see itin the pdf below: Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island.(Your Signature)Anyone can send in a testimony. You do not have to live on the islands. -Mahalo Thank-youDawn Singleton Dawn Eshelman Singleton, PhD, DHS, CTP, DNM 'Board Certified' Quantum Biofeedback Specialist & Author "FEEL BETTER THE NATURAL WAY" www.quantumhealthhawaii.com From:Eileen Downing To:WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Date:Monday, November 18, 2024 11:40:49 AM Attachments:preview.pngpreview.pngpreview.pngpreview.png Here are some concerns: 1. The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone inthe entire world can have input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, andindividuals who live on Big Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affectedby projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effective local community engagementand management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensurethat diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 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 page188, 40.8. 3. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land usewill be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drasticallylower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks theAloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be madepono again. 4. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to befurther 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for GoodMorning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other mediaoutlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is theinvestors, in renewable energy, 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. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for BigIsland! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a residentof Papaikou, has created an Ag Villages plan. Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: Papaikou Site Plan: PapaikouDevelopment: A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan.You can see it in the pdf below: Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Eileen Downing 86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40 831c745bc PDF Document · 63 KB https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf 86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a7 24eee8304 PDF Document · 123 KB 86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b6 91725786 PDF Document · 209 KB 86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0 207bf286e PDF Document · 969 KB From:1friendofyours To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Cc:alicia@palmvalleyfarm.com Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 6:01:42 PM After several meetings with the community members we would like to see changes made to the proposed General Plan. Here are some concerns: 1. The plan defines " Stakeholder " 86 times, which means anyone in the world can have input onthis 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 andmanagement are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure thatdiverse 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 usewill be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drasticallylower 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 befurther 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf 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 moveforward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 6. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives"mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring toobecause it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going topursing taking people's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This planshould 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 ofPapaikou, 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.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. It is also a Constitutional right for us to travel. Limiting the amount of miles driven should not be considered in the General Plan. Mahalo, Alicia Wills Palm Valley Farm LLC Land Owner From:Jancis Salerno To:WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:30:22 PM 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf 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, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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: 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 can see 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. Mahalo, Jan SalernoKona From:john kochiss To:WPCtestimony Subject:Fwd: General Plan Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:12:55 PM ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: john kochiss <questmatejk@gmail.com>Date: Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 9:10 PM Subject: General PlanTo: <LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov> I am writing as a concerned citizen and property owner on Hawaii Island. This plan designappears to take the choice of future development on this island away from the residents, and give it to these nameless;Stakeholders" I am also concerned by what appears to be a tidal waveof red tape and bureaucracy headed our way. Steve Shropshire has drawn up an excellent plan for a better way forward. And there is nothing being done to protect us from invasive species,plant and insect. Our island has been allowed to be over run with almost zero protection from incoming pests, but try and sell your produce off the island, and you will hit a wall. If you aretrying to destroy the quality of life and sustainability of life on this aina, this plan will go a long ways towards accomplishing that goal. Absolutely tone deaf to our needs, so it must bedrafted by some rich guys who want to take over. Please go back to the drawing boards before you run off the remaining Kanakas and the rest of the citizenry. Sincerely, John Kochiss From:Jon McGeeTo:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimonySubject:Revise Hawaii General Plan TestimonyDate:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:08:37 PM 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 Communitiesare local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals wholive 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 managementare crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverseperspectives and interests are considered. 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 usewill be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lowertheir property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the AlohaSpirit 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 befurther 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. 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 outletsstating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is the investors, inrenewable energy, 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 privateland management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, whenappropriate, pursue the 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 becauseit's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to pursing takingpeople's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focusedon 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 BigIsland! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident ofPapaikou, 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. Youcan see 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. JC McGee Meetings to give your oral testimony: Community Meetings South Kona: September 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. - Rodney Yano Memorial Hall 82-6145 Māmalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI96704 Kaʻū: September 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. - Kaʻū District Gym Multi-Purpose Room 96-1219 Kamani St, Pāhala, HI 96777 South Kohala: September 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. - Kūhio Hale 64-756 Māmalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743 North Kohala: October 1, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. - Old Judiciary Building 54-3900 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaʻau, HI 96755 Puna: October 3, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. - Pāhoa Community Center 15-3022 Kauhale St, Pāhoa, HI 96778 Hāmākua: October 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. - Kulaʻimano Community Center 28-2892 Alia St, Pepeʻekeo, HI 96783 Public CommentsSeptember 26, 2024: Public comments for this phase are due, following the guidelines set out by the current 2005 GeneralPlan, which indicates the public will have 21 days after the last workshop to share their comments with the Planning Director.[2005 GP 16.1(5)] Once this period ends, the Final Recommended Draft in its current form and all public comments will bepackaged and submitted to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions.November 2024: Planning Commission Public Hearings. Specific dates will be added once available. Upon the submission ofthe Final Recommeded Draft to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions, each commission will have 150 days toreview and provide their recommendations to the County Council. [2005 GP 16.1(8)]April 2025: County Council Public Hearings. Specific dates will be added once available. From:Marija Kljuce To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on the general plan 2024 for big island Mahalo Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 5:27:51 PM 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. 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 thepdf showing 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 privateland management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate,pursue the 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 Site Plan: 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.pdfmarija kljuce Sent from my iPad From:Marlies Lee To:WPCtestimony Subject:General plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 8:01:43 AM Aloha, How binding is a 20 year general plan? We might change our minds in 5 years. We actually need CO2 to grow food and fauna.The Climate change topic also has scientists that tell a different story and they get suppressed by the media. Wonder why?So before you make new laws, this topic needs to be revisited. 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 Who is a Stakeholder, can you please define that exactly. Only we here can/should decide what’s happening on our Island. Not big money elsewhere. MahaloMarlies Lee Sent from my iPhone From: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, End Dieting Hell: How to find peace in your body and release the weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Penny G To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 5:46:55 PM Here are some concerns: 1. The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally meansanyone in the entire world can have input on this plan. Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities 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 personallyaffected by projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effective local communityengagement 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 decisionsto unelected officials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is onpage 188, 40.8. 3. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them theirland use will be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This willdrastically lower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is notpono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is notokay. This must be made pono again. 4. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs tobe further researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climatedanger. Here is the pdf showing the scientist and what country they are from.https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the firstweather man for Good Morning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has goneon CNN and other media outlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reasonfor 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 Planmove forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 6. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivizeprivate land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and,when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this planreferring too because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say theyare going to pursing taking people's private property? Again with "protection of naturalresources". This plan should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing theexact opposite! 7. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed forBig Island! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, aresident 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 Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. On behalf of: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are local Big Island farmers,homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live on Big Island or haveproperty on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, or activities in thegeneral plan. Penny M Grutzmacher From: Aukai Sewell <aukaiesewell@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2024 3:05 PM To: LPCtestimony <lpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; WPCtestimony <wpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here based on community meetings please consider our concerns there are many other concerns to us people one being restricting our travel because of false science if climate change being a threat to humanity the greatest threat is a corrupt govern ment that over reaches thier power . making our lives to expencive and making it harder to do buisness by corruption and over regulation and useless taxes th remember all these things affect our childrens future in hawaii if you thing over regulation is the answer then our children will moove out and let rich people take all our land . maybe thats what the county of hawaii wants . well i and many others dont want it . thank you 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf 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, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. AUKAI E SEWELL Anyone can send in a testimony. You do not have to live on the islands. -Mahalo From:donna grabow To:WPCtestimony Subject:Revision is vital! Hawaii General Plan 2045 Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 8:47:32 AM Please omit the creation of a "OSCER Department." This is on page 188, 40.8. This proposed OSCER clause in the Hawaii General Plan 2045 will not allow the voice of the people. The clause overrides any community input and will void people's concerns, leaving alldecisions to unelected officials. Please remove the undemocratic OSCER clause from the plan. Thank you for consideration on this matter. Regards, Donna GrabowHilo From:Joanna Weber To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 6:53:17 PM Topic: Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here ALOHASome of my concerns are as follows: An extensive part of the plan is dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? *Over 1900 credentialed scientists have signed a World Declaration literally stating, "There is No Climate Danger". Review it here https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf The declaration states: "To believe the outcome of a climate model is to believe what the model makers have put in. This is precisely the problem of today’s climate discussion to which climate models are central. Climatescience has degenerated into a discussion based on beliefs, not onsound self-critical science. Should not we free ourselves from the naive belief in immature climate models?" *John Coleman, Good Morning America's first weather man and the founder of the Weather channel states, "There is No Global Warming". Find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56fms2VZTc *50 Years as Meteorologist with the US Airforce and Climatologist Professor David Dilley, says the earth is cooling not warming. He explains the Milankovitch Cycles here: https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=0- ubPSELxpFnAVH5 *On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared, “If one asks, “Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have noconcern about that. By asking people to worry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climate change is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into somethingalarming seems a little bit weird to me." Find his interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwvVephTIHU Profession Lindzen also stated, “At any given place, traditionally, sea levelis measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick in the water, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving up and down. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise.” *On August 21, 2020, NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.” Find the article here: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018.”That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth” aretelling lies? *An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on global warming, "AnInconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors."” (Find the article here): https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has- 9-errors-british-judge-rules/ *Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website. The inaccuracies in the documentary include (Find the article here): https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Truth.html): 1. The film claims that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced to concede that thisis not correct. 2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years. The Court foundthat the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests thatthis has been caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that this was not the case. 5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore had misread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidence was that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find any evidence to support this claim. 8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years andthere is no such threat of massive migration. 9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Government was unable tosubstantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. *Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following:1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is that Greenland will not melt for a millennia. 2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; theevidence was that it is, in fact, increasing. *High Court Judge Michael Burton stated:“Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes ninestatements in the film that are not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon, creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feetthat would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands toBangladesh.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view isthat if Greenland melted, it would release this amount of water “but onlyafter, and over, a millennia.” The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times andliterally means anyone in the entire world can have input on this plan. Please recommend the word “Stakeholder” to be changed to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are local BigIsland 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 andmanagement are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 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. The Planning Department has sent out letters to 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 re-zone the area. This is not pono. Itbreaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will beaffected. This needs to be further researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist who say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf showing the scientists and which country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf 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 renewableenergy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forward without that? Hilo is 22% of theisland. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices thatprotect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 thelocals? "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! 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, hascreated an Ag Villages plan. *Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4c dd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02 efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645 b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf *A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You can see it in the pdf below: PartOne: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f 1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681 c2ec.pdf *Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c46 1685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. ALOHA, JOANNA WEBER From:kate kennedy To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan 2045 Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 4:06:00 PM Aloha Commissioners and members of the council, This email is in reference to many concerns contained in the proposed general plan put forward for 2045. 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 to 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. 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. Erroneous information has been put forward over past decades regarding various climate concerns that were later revised or curtailed upon further investigation. Here is the pdf showing the scientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD- 241023.pdf 5. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forward without that? Hilo comprises 22% of the island population. 6. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, “Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 becauseit's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" - this type of phrasing is replete throughoutthe document and is ambiguous at best but more often confusing and misleading to the constituentreader. 7. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island! Regarding alternatives, Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou, has created an Ag Villages plan. This is just one example of alternatives that could be utilized rather than the guides put forward in the proposal Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf Mahalo for your time and investment toward a healthy and vibrant future for all residents of the Big Island Sincerely, Kate Kennedy Pahoa From:Akuakea To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Kevin Hill testimony Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 11:05:36 PM I’m writing to address a major concern about certain assumptions that are stated and that much of the plan is based on but are problematic at best, but worse are perhaps outright false andmisleading. My issues today are the presumption that we mean the same thing when we discuss“sustainability” and that we agree about “climate change” and its inherent presumptions especially that co2 is a poluntant, that man is the largest cause of this climate change ( bybreathing and burning of fossil fuels etc). Several points on this: 1. When Al Gore popularized that we were going to be extinct by the year 2000 he used theterm “global warming”. Now we talk about “climate change”! To make a crisis out of “climate change” is circular logic and deceptive at its core. If it gets warmer it’s a crisis. If itgets colder it’s a crisis and the presumption carry’s that it’s man’s fault by exhaling co2. Simply existing and breathing is problematic and justifies open conversation about efforts toreduce the population! We used to think that it was immoral to plot ways to reduce population because of the sacredness of life now it’s normal every day conversation. 2. Many of the thousands of intelligent people who have debunked these presumptions point out that to blame humans for the changes in climate ignores major factors that have massiveinfluence on weather and climate - two of which are solar activity (proximity and intensity of the sun and its changing position and intensity over time) and the irrefutable fact of man’smanipulation of weather. Please educate yourselves if this challenge is new to you as this general plan assumes that these arguements are settled and closed in favor of a deceptive and destructive worldview. Here are a couple of sites that are loaded with irrefutable proof of man’s preoccupation not only with modifying the weather but weaponizing it using technologies that are being pushedstrongly in our own neighborhoods right now. A. Weathermodifictionhistory.com. Well written summaries of the history of weathermodification since 1946 and tremendous resources to patents, DOD publications, public hearings before congress in 2015 that addresses Chem trails and creation of high altitudeclouds etc. B. Geoengineeringwatch.org. Site loaded with information on the topic, soil samples watersamples, air samples that show the aluminum, barium and strontium aerosolized metals affecting the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil in which we raise our crops andfeed our animals. Well done site with enormous amounts of data assembled by a retired engineer. C. Library.NOAA.gov - this site shows those who REPORT their weather modification activities… the most impactive ones that we see in the news are NOT voluntarily listed! Afew minutes here will show how common and readily available information is of man’s manipulation of weather. It’s not all evil… but some of it absolutely is and you see it on thenews every month. The world meteorological organization reports at least 50 countries are regularly using weather modification technologies. Russia and China and the US have all made publicstatements of their ability to use weather weapons in warfare. The technologies involve sending the atmosphere with aerosolized chemicals that then can beinfluence by land based frequencies to create, amplify and steer weather - hurricane, tornados, earthquakes that create tsunamis, cyclones, manipulation of the jet stream, blocking of the sun. Spend some time on these sites and you will likely conclude that in this conversation the same parties offering a solution consisting of more restrictions on land use, travel, greater taxationto fund the solutions etc are the same parties creating the problem. Problem, reaction, solution - and the peoples’ liberty and prosperity pay the price of a “more government” solution. As to technology being aggressively disseminated in our neighborhoods today… can anyone think of a technology that we all use that functions by the projection of frequencies throughthe air in order for our communications to function? Coincidence that some of the best and oldest research on 2.4 ghz (the frequencies our cell phones and Wi-Fi function on are Russianstudies in the 1940s about frequency weapons? Look it up. France doesn’t allow cell towers in residential areas - we put them in our schoolsAnd church parking lots. You may find that there is a disturbing, undeniable connection between 5g (and other frequencies) and harm to biology as well as being effective in affectingweather. I wholeheartedly reject what I believe are inaccurate and deceptive agendas based on half truths that are lumped into this idea of sustainability. I’m interested in a general plan that:1. Honors our constitution 2. Recognizes the sovereignty of the individual and the sacredness of land stewardship. Thepeople are the rulers, land belongs to people not corporations and governments pretending to be for the people but are really about controlling resources to control people not empowerthem. 3. Acknowledges that people take care of people and solve problems, not Beurocrats, lawyersand politicians. Innovation and liberty are sacred concepts that are inherent in the people. 4. Recognizes that we are all trustees of what the Creator has loaned us and that we all areaccountable for what we leave future generations. Mahalo for your attention and for doing your own studies on the sites I’ve listed and others. I believe just an hour on either of the two sites I mentioned will convince that much of what’sbeing heralded as evidence of “climate change” is indeed, but it’s “man-made” - not because we breathe or burn fossil fuels but because a few are using technology as often happens tomanipulate, control and harm. These few hope that we will react emotionally to half truths and buy into a solution that leaves we the people poorer and even less free. As WEF leaderKlaus Schwab likes to say “you will own nothing, and you will be happy”. I pray that our Island m, our county leads the way in liberty, in pursuit of truth, in faithfulness to our Constitution and Bill of Rights and is indeed a land “perpetuated in righteousness” From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimonySubject:Testimony on General Plan Climate Change Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 5:12:02 PM Aloha Leeward Commission, Mahalo so much for listening to us today. I know you are all volunteers and I really appreciate your time. A huge part of the plan is dedicated to "Climate Change". However, I've researched and found many climate experts disagree withthis narrative. This is VERY dangerous because this section will add more rules, and regulations and take away freedom. In the name of climatechange it will restructure the Big Island way of life and give more power to the government. Here is what you need to know: Over 1900 credentialed scientists have signed a World Declaration literally stating, "There is No Climate Danger". Review ithere https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf The declaration states: "To believe the outcome of a climate model is to believe what the model makers have put in. This isprecisely the problem of today’s climate discussion to which climate models are central. Climate science has degenerated into adiscussion based on beliefs, not on sound self-critical science. Should not we free ourselves from the naive belief in immatureclimate models?" John Coleman, Good Morning America's first weatherman and the founder of the Weather channel stated, "There is No GlobalWarming". Find his talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56fms2VZTc 50 Years as Meteorologist with the US Airforce and Climatologist Professor David Dilley, says the earth is cooling not warming.He explains the earth was closer to the sun 800 years ago. He shares the Milankovitch Cycles here: https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=0-ubPSELxpFnAVH5 On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared, “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have no concern about that. By asking peopleto worry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climatechange is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into something alarmingseems a little bit weird to me." Find his interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwvVephTIHU Profession Lindzen also stated, “At any given place, traditionally, sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick inthe water, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving upand down. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise.” On August 21, 2020, NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.” Findthe article here: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of beingengulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “AnInconvenient Truth” are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on globalwarming, "An Inconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website (Find the articlehere: https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Truth.html):. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1. The film claims that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced toconcede that this is not correct. 2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years.The Court found that the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000years. 3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert hadto accept that this was not the case. 5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore hadmisread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidencewas that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find anyevidence to support this claim. 8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence isthat sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massivemigration. 9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Government wasunable to substantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is thatGreenland will not melt for a millennia. 2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; the evidence was that it is, in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by thecurrent mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted, it would release this amount ofwater “but only after, and over, a millennia.” You may be asking, "Why is this in the general plan and why is the climate change narrative in the media throughout the world ifit isn't true?" Because those who've invested in renewable energy will profit greatly and have more power over people if we adopt theirnarrative. They also own most of the news. I'm not a climate denier. I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm someone who researchesuntil I discover the truth. The truth is, if you put this plan through as it is, you will destroy freedom and prosperity on Big Island for future generations. You have the power to help bring light to this plan. I trust in God and I trust in you. 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Sarahlee Kittons To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimonySubject:REVISE HAWAII GENERAL PLAN TESTIMONY HEREDate:Thursday, November 21, 2024 9:41:30 AM Thank you for giving me the opportunity to input into the General Plan process. I agree with the attached addresses and pdf’s created attached to this email at the bottom. Please consider and apply the changes to The General Plan. We need more emphasis on our local involvement and theinspiration to embrace and promote participation for the highest good. 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. The “Stakeholder” definition should be considered seriously as to the application and intention for allowing less than desirable outcomes to the direction of interests and control. Local Communities are theprime energies to direct the success and healthy life on the Island. More emphasis should focus on inspiring community involvement as this creates healthy purpose for the residents here and works towardunity and success of more of the residents. OSCER'S team are indoctrinated educated off island young people with limited knowledge and experience of the cultural aspects and desirable progress for the people here on the island. Plans have beenhanded down world wide from a hierarchy of unelected officials as a format for change based on terms as “smart” and “sustainable” and “climate”. This has been infiltrated into the education systems. Theterm “Smart" may have the promotion of intelligence, but it loses overall when embracing details and truth that come from the aloha. Sustainable should be changed to aspirations and desires toward outcomes,this means it’s always evolving based on change and understanding. Climate has not yet addressed the heating of the atmosphere and weather patterns by the electric communications, satellites and haarp and such devices or the geoengineering of the weather. How many towersand what are their effect on the communities environments, mental impact and biological outcomes. The manipulation of our planet and its population through technology and the attention pushing peopletoward ignoring the surrounding aina, is proving to be detrimental and no one is addressing this fact. Yet blaming it on the people and fossil fuels, where green technology is not proving a perfect solution eitherand is polluting the planet also. Most implementations of systems are set up by the unelected officials and corporate entities that glean the profits by its outcome, yet lobbied and promoted into governmentsystems. Changing zoning and lowering property values is a huge question. If you look at the designation of resident to re-creation. What is being re-created? The people were all ready established on their property. Value? What is the true value of a property, but it’s stewardship and use to nurture the life created there - it’s sacred space to the inhabitants. It seems the value benefits are focused and directed to the taxassessors or real estate sales and profits and now toward a general plan. Not working with the true value of the aina and its inhabitants. Have visited with an appraiser here in Hawaii stating they started using Marshall and Swift/Boeckh software for appraisal. around Covid. The properties have doubled and tripled in many cases here in the last few years. With commercial RE being hit hard. If you follow the links through the web Marshall &Swift/Boeckh company which was bought out by Corelogic which was bought up by Stone Point Capital and with Insight Partners. These are global venturecapital firms. They make these companies look like they are small operations.. they are not. I would consider that all information for land and property is at the hands of these large corporate firms formanipulation of the people along with census statistics. I find it interesting that if every city (which I know one other city recently brought their software in) is using their software these corporations with investors are driving up the markets for their profits and couldbe influencing price strategies across the world. With the printing of money and redirection of wealth this is all tied into land acquisition of mega proportion. We need to question everything and the intention and power behind it. Because of these increases migration across the country has happened and businesses have closed and people can’t afford propertieswhich has driven the homeless situation and housing crisis. Look at what has happened in downtown Kailua with the businesses and parking - where does this stem from. Now we have a plan that transitionsproperty ownership and businesses as a steal by force of economic planning. I stand with the changes submitted here as alternatives and additions to the Plan. Please consider and review the changes needed to promote our Hawaii Island community.Thank you Sarahlee Kittons Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity. 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 ofPapaikou, 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 Site Plan: 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. Youcan see 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.pdf (Your Signature) From:Tariq Aboufakhr To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 9:56:00 AM This raises my eyes.. 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. 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 thepdf showing 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 land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate,pursue the 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. From:AddressOnlyTemporary To:WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Friday, November 22, 2024 5:13:03 AM To Whom It May Concern, Here are some of my concerns with the General Plan: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climatedanger?Over 1900 credentialed scientists have signed a World Declaration literally stating, "There is No Climate Danger". Review it here https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdfThe declaration states: "To believe the outcome of a climate model is to believe what the model makers have put in. This is precisely the problem of today’s climate discussion to which climate models are central. Climate science has degenerated into adiscussion based on beliefs, not on sound self-critical science. Should not we free ourselves from the naive belief in immature climate models?"John Coleman, Good Morning America's first weather man and the founder of the Weather channel states, "There is No GlobalWarming". Find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56fms2VZTc 50 Years as Meteorologist with the US Airforce and Climatologist Professor David Dilley, says the earth is cooling not warming.He explains the Milankovitch Cycles here: https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=0-ubPSELxpFnAVH5 On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared, “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have no concern about that. By asking peopleto worry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climatechange is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into something alarmingseems a little bit weird to me." Find his interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwvVephTIHU Profession Lindzen also stated, “At any given place, traditionally, sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick inthe water, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving upand down. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise.” On August 21, 2020, NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.” Findthe article here: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ It reads:“Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018.”That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of beingengulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that meandocumentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth” are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on globalwarming, "An Inconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors."” Find the article here: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has-9-errors-british-judge-rules/ Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website.The inaccuracies in the documentary include (Find the articlehere: https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Truth.html):1. The film claims that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct.2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years. The Court found that the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by800-2,000 years.3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming. TheGovernment’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert hadto accept that this was not the case.5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore had misread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm.6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidencewas that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find anyevidence to support this claim.8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massivemigration.9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Governmentwas unable to substantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following:1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is thatGreenland will not melt for a millennia.2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; the evidence was that it is, in fact, increasing.High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by thecurrent mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh.”The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted, it would release this amount of water “but only after, and over, a millennia.”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 Islandfarmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live on Big Island or have property on BigIsland 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 diverseperspectives and interests are considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelected officials. This isNOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will be changed fromresident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their property value and opens the door torezone 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. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be further researched. There areover 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf showing 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 forGood 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 makethese changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forward without that? Hilo is22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land managementpractices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this planreferring too because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to pursing takingpeople's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused on people growingmore food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island! We need to turn landinto 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 Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below:Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part 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.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Alyssa Stamey From:Sophia"s Mom To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Please consider my testimony on The Hawai"i General Plan Date:Friday, November 22, 2024 12:02:42 PM Aloha Honorable Planning Commissioners of Hawai'i County & Director Kern, Regarding the General Plan and cultural resources you focused on today, many cannot be obtained as objectives with collaboration and partnerships. They must have a foundation of trust and commitments of financial support which will not happen unless we manage our citizens money by disclosing audited, financial reports to the citizens, whose money the administration of this county is responsible for. This is the adoption of a measure that will incentivize the participation of the most important resource, being the people of Hawaii nei, including our neglected indigenous Hawaiian people! With mandatory disclosure, including all income, all paid employees, names of contractors and amounts paid for services, work, any consulting costs for the County; including all capital projects and utilities; i.e., our cost of solid waste services, we will not be aware nor be able to evaluate how effective the General Plan can be. When this is mandated and we then mandate money for the restoration, preservation and maintenance of sacred places and educational opportunities to learn about our Hawaiian culture and its significance, this will be the usual rhetoric with no implementation. I agree the today’s presentation was impressive but I didn’t see any Hawaiian people involved. So even regarding this presentation, your objective is not being met in my opinion. Regarding the General Plan and cultural resources, you know these cannot be obtained as objectives with collaboration and partnerships, because they must have a foundation of trust and commitments of financial support which will not happen unless we manage our citizens money by disclosing audited, financial reports to the citizens, whose money the administration of this county is responsible for. This is the adoption of a measure that will incentivize the participation of our true resource which is the people of Hawaii nei, including our neglected indigenous Hawai'ian people! Without Geo engineered weather, which is visually observable by anyone with fairly good eyesight and an open mind, it has been scientifically challenged. The question of whether climate change is real, or more propaganda in the well- financed plan of the WEF, World Economic Forum, to create a Geo-Engineering is so questionable, we DO NOT WANT TO place our children's future on disinformation. It could be so much the indoctrination to commit the crime of stealing our land, our rights and our resources as we've seen in 3rd world countries already! I agree with the native born Hilo, Leslie, and others that have already testified that the CDP needs to be completed for a very important area of our island Hilo and that all emergency plans need to have organized interaction with the civil defense, which is not happening now under this governor. I helped form the Waikoloa Village CDP, ever working 100 hours on the logistics committee to found it. We need to have the inclusion of amateur Ham radio operators in The General Plan. This would’ve made a huge difference in the disaster that occurred in Lahaina Maui. We need to make, as our priority over all these sections, our safety first until all hazards for various areas of our island are covered within the plan have been carefully laid out and financed in the plan with the accounting needed to quell objections. The Plan needs to do delineate the repair of these bridges that are vital and have been not repaired since they were damaged long time ago. We need to make sure that areas that landslide as soon as the rain becomes .6”/hour need to be solved. We have an area at I’ole between Kapa’au and Hawi that does this. We also have our entry into the emergency shelter for an entire North Kohala area line with albezia (sic?) trees. Why in the world would we allow these things to grow the 20-25 feet when we know they will prevent access to our main emergency shelter in the earthquake that’s coming someday ? We must protect the people first these are the most important issues and as Brenda Ford mentioned, we cannot frack a rock which requires its structure in order to produce those lenses of drinkable water. Mahalo for your kokua, April April Lee PO Box 190705 Hawi, HI 96719 Sent with Proton Mail secure email. From:Carolina Visser To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony on General Plan 2045 Date:Friday, November 22, 2024 6:19:23 AM 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.pdf Carolina VisserKau Big Island808 987-4840 From:donna grabow To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan 2045 - Please remove Climate Change exaggerations Date:Friday, November 22, 2024 8:39:20 AM Please consider the following as a testimony today, November, 2024 1900 scientists have signed a World Declaration literally stating, "There is No ClimateDanger". Review it here https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf The declaration states: "To believe the outcome of a climate model is to believe what themodel makers have put in. This is precisely the problem of today’s climate discussion to which climate models are central. Climate science has degenerated into a discussion based onbeliefs, not on sound self-critical science. Should not we free ourselves from the naive belief in immature climate models?" John Coleman, Good Morning America's first weather man and the founder of the Weatherchannel states, "There is No Global Warming". Find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=K56fms2VZTc “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very,very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth” are telling lies? Sincerely, Donna GrabowHilo From:sharkgssTo:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Re: General Plan Needs Major Overhaul Date:Friday, November 22, 2024 11:50:46 AM Aloha, In addition to my testimony comments, this link should be a mandatory read for all county planning officials. https://nwri.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/How-Public-Officials-can-Recognize-Agenda-21.pdf Mahalo,Donna Thompson Sent with Proton Mail secure email. On Friday, November 22nd, 2024 at 10:39 AM, sharkgss <sharkgss@protonmail.com> wrote: Aloha, After commenting on the 2045 General Plan online, providing extensive testimony and attending workshops it is clear this document needs a great deal of revision and citizens are not aligned with the draconian template handed down to local communities in Western countries by the WorldEconomic Forum. The original version in 2005 plan contains the words "homeowner" and "farmer" while the 2045 plan is written by and for"stakeholders!" This is outrageous and the words "homeowner" and "farmer" do not appear anywhere! "Farmer" is in the 2005 GENERAL PLAN fourteen (14) times and "homeowner" appears four (4) times. In addition to my original testimonies below being re-submitted I want to add a few more points: 1. The State and the County corporations have no right to acquire land. The State has no right to any County property, including harbors. 2. Remove any reference to "Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan" it is not relevant for our island. 3. Remove reference to climate change caused by humans, this is unproven and being used as a psychological control mechanism by the top 1%. This includes removing references to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Carbon dioxide sequestration is a really really stupid idea, waste of tax payer funds, and will further degrade our flora. 4. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because State and County corporations are not acting on behalf of its residents and clearly acting on behalf of stakeholders. 5. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "land owner" or "farmer/rancher". 6. Zoning needs to be re-visited - why is Agricultural land being reduced by 40%, unacceptable!!! 7. Remove the words "equity" and "equitable" from everywhere they appear. More emphasis should be on equality of opportunity rather than equity of results. We do not want to move into communism, people need to work for what they get, and people who have worked and succeeded need to keep the fruits of their labors. Equity cannot be legislated. 8. Remove the word "sustainability" from everywhere it appears. This term has NO SCIENTIFIC PARAMETERS, NO EFFECTIVE DEFINITION for anything to do with lawmaking !! 9. Revise the proposed land use maps, they are not fully relevant to our vast micro climates. 10. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the egregious concept of "smart" cities. This is a rural island. 11. Remove ANY reference to digital currencies. 12. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 13. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed general plan. 14. Reword the governments intention for "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land that will not be a violation of privacy rights. 15. Add language regarding the danger of 5G and beyond technology easements and studies. 16. Remove ANY reference to incentivizing or regulating water use and incentivize catchment. 17. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 18. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 19. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. Testimony submitted 27 March 2024 Aloha, Please consider appointing a team comprised of "stewards" of the community to review and re-write this document. We need a plan that is by the people and for the people. Providing comments on the county version live document is a very cumbersome process and not user friendly. Below are relevant comments combined from a few county residents including myself. Mahalo, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI General Comments are as follows: Suggest subtitle “Stewardship Plan for Hawai’i County” Overall the plan lacks presentation of relevant issues, proposes some harmful initiatives, contains garbled language, and lacks vital public input. There is no clear plan for strengthening infrastructure and power grid against space weather. Stakeholders are stated in the document 47 times. Who are the Stakeholders and Partners with the government? What private and nonprofit agencies are involved in this process? It is deeply concerning that partnership with landowners and the general public is not stated anywhere. The plan should not be finalized until the State legislative session is over, the Governor is done signing/vetoing bills, and the override deadline has passed to allow for accommodation of relevant changes. The document appears to be a template handed down from the United Nations Agenda 21 initiative that is using human based climate change models to implement a one world government attempting to "capture" local governments. Thousands of scientists have come forward in recent years explaining that the human effect on climate is minuscule as compared to the sun. The document contains no explanation how the county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications) due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been diligently preparing for. This document lacks sufficient detail in many areas to include tables, and maps. Syntax is sometimes garbled. Few acronyms are explained. There are notes indicating information may be added later. The table of contents and appendix are missing. Concerns raised by commenters need to be addressed, and another round of public meetings held, before the plan goes to the Planning Commissions and County Council. The comment period needs to be extended, the document is too vague and the code of ethics and professional conduct of the American Institute of Certified Planners shall provide timely, adequate, clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and to governmental decision makers. See page 4. Purpose and Authority Authority Limits of the General Plan The 2045 General Plan contains no authority to change previously existing subdivisions or Zoning without collective collaboration. It's hard for community collaboration when the document contains obscure and garbled language. Clarify what is meant by “specific to the actions” and “because, as” Hawaiʻi Island Goals The goals of the General Plan synthesize those concepts and value statements adopted by ordinance in the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. The appendix includes tables used to complete the goals, including the source material from the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. page 8 The LUPAG maps contain numerous zoning changes. Regulatory Implementing Actions in the 2045 General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter §3-15. p. 7 Climate Mitigation A great deal of content is based on Climate Mitigation from human activity which has a minuscule effect on the earth's overall climate. Over 99% of the climate affects are driven by solar activity, cycles, and space weather. The document completely fails to mention the threat of space weather and is almost entirely focused on carbon emissions promoted by the United Nations Climate Agenda. Our Federal Government has been preparing for space weather threats for many years, yet the Hawai'i island plan lacks any reference to this even though critical infrastructure (energy, communications, transportation, and supply chain) is at risk due to increased solar radiation from our weakening magnetosphere. In 2015 the magnetosphere was down by 40% according to this Federal Doc. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1040918#:~:text=The%20research%20evaluates%20the%20impacts,reversals%20and%20adverse%20space%20weather In October of 2016 President Obama issued the following executive order Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events - Executive order 13744 (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-201600692 ) Section 1. Policy. Space weather events, in the form of solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances, occur regularly, some with measurable effects on critical infrastructure systems and technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations and communication, aviation, and the electrical power grid. Extreme space weather events—those that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure—could disable large portions of the electrical power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare, and transportation. Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector. It is the policy of the United States to prepare for space weather events to minimize the extent of economic loss and human hardship. The Federal Government must have (1) the capability to predict and detect a space weather event, (2) the plans and programs necessary to alert the public and private sectors to enable mitigating actions for an impending space weather event, (3) the protection and mitigation plans, protocols, and standards required to reduce risks to critical infrastructure prior to and during a credible threat, and (4) the ability to respond to and recover from the effects of space weather. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate their efforts to prepare for the effects of space weather events. Sec. 2. Objectives. This order defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather. These activities are to be implemented in conjunction with those identified in the 2015 National Space Weather Action Plan (Action Plan) and any subsequent updates. Implementing this order and the Action Plan will require the Federal Government to work across agencies and to develop, as appropriate, enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; academia; non-profits; the private sector; and international partners. These efforts will enhance national preparedness and speed the creation of a space-weather-ready Nation. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events In October 2016 (about 10 days before the above executive order was signed) the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers.This was a massive exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. A spokesman said in a statement: “The main goal of the drill is to practice organization of management during civil defense events and emergency and fire management, to check preparedness of management bodies and forces of civil defense on all levels to respond to natural and man-made disasters and to take civil defense measures.” https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Additional info on this: Cataclysmic Polarity Shift , Part 2 - How Can I Prepare For Such An Event? https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=GSHnF2PTz5s Safe Zones and Disasters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpILRrxCMiw Solar Micronova is Going to Happen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEMXp1HlzUs&t=0s Earth Disaster is Coming | ALL The Evidence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j635Cv2aOlA&t=0s Man made geoengineering is an operation primarily used to block out solar radiation and create, distribute, and deflect weather systems. Its use over many decades is outside the scope of public knowledge and having significant impacts on our environment/weather to include increased super storms, fires, flooding, droughts, and causing very high levels of aluminum in the soil and tissue samples of all mammals. I personally have tested hundreds of humans and animals and seen very high levels in all hair analysis tests. This is why Monsanto developed aluminum resistant seeds, soil in North America is testing 40,000 times higher rates of aluminum in the last 2 decades. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ Tennessee and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills to ban this practice. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/03/20/tennessee-senate-passes-bill-banning-chemtrails-what-to-know/73027586007/ Maui county council passed a bill in 2010 to ban geoengineering and this link explains how it is being used to lessen the effects of solar radiation. There has been no public oversight or consent to these projects. http://mauiskywatch.org/info-official-reports/ It is clear based on the above information the governments of the world are preparing for space weather effects due to the weakening magnetic field, therefore it is critical that the county review and adopt their own contingency plans. Hawaii county should implement a ban on geoengineering before soil is too toxic with aluminum and when combined with glyphosate it can cross the blood brain barrier. Some suggested solutions are environmentally unfriendly, and nuclear power is catastrophically dangerous. Potential of micro nuclear was mentioned on page 15. Hawaii State Constitution, article XI, section 8 NUCLEAR ENERGY Section 8. No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature. We live on an active volcano with frequent earthquakes, threats of hurricanes, tsunamis and unexpected lava flows. Having a nuclear power plant on this island is a huge liability. It could be cataclysmic and there will always be the issue of storage leaks. In 2011 I experienced the 5.8 earthquake in Orange, VA. It shut down the Lake Anna Nuclear facility for almost 2 years. There are numerous other types of energy to explore, to include water generated motors that are now used in places like Pakistan and India. These kits allow existing vehicles to be fitted that use only 2% fuel consumption and 98% water. We should be looking at ways to harness ocean water for energy. The ocean thermal energy conversion, or OTEC, which uses seawater to turn solar energy into electricity or hydrokinetic energy or marine renewable energy, is a renewable power source that is harnessed from the natural movement of water, including waves, tides, and river and ocean currents. These should be considered since water surrounds the entire island. Climate change threats p. 19 3.3 Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts. Hawai'i County needs to first and foremost collaborate with the general public. Transparency is needed on exactly how government agencies, private corporations, nonprofit agencies are involved and explain who these “stakeholders” are. The planning department should take into consideration that over 1,900 scientists from around the world have signed a declaration that there is no climate emergency. Climate change has been occurring on this planet all along driven by solar activity and cycles. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WCD-version-081423.pdf John Coleman, the founder of the weather channel, the first meteorologist on Good Morning America in the 1970’s and the winner of the Meteorologist of the Year award by the US Association for Meteorology in 1982, has spent 60 years studying the weather. He presents his view that there is no significant man-made global warming in this half-hour PowerPoint presentation. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc? si=ZuTpJ-bEnNPCGOkf WASTE-TO-ENERGY Two “waste-to-energy” proposals (2008 and 2015) for Hawai’i Island were rejected after months of divisive debate. It was concluded the island doesn’t generate enough garbage to make it cost effective. O’ahu taxpayers are paying penalties to H-Power because O’ahu can’t generate enough waste to fulfill the contract. While some advanced waste treatment technologies are promoted as alternative energy producing, the energy conserved by recycling and composting the source materials exceeds the amount of energy produced by these technologies by three to five times. There are some "glass type" building materials that can be produced by the incineration process. Incineration is a form of Destructive Disposal via combustion or thermal conversion/treatment, using high temperatures of discarded materials into ash/slag, syngas, flue gas, fuel, or heat. Incineration includes facilities and processes that may be stationary or mobile, may recover energy from heat or power and may use single or multiple stages. Some forms of incineration may be described as resource recovery, energy recovery, trash to steam, waste to energy, energy from waste, fluidized bed, catalytic cracking, biomass15, steam electric power plant (burning waste), pyrolysis, thermolysis, gasification, plasma arc, thermal depolymerization or refuse derived fuel. Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities Section 1: Land Use Table 4: Land Use Challenges Regulations The current regulatory process dictates that the State Land Use Commission must preside over boundary amendments that exceed 15 acres, which limits the efficiency of ensuring consistency in the land use pattern. p. 25 Land Use Commission protections against unwise development should be maintained when it comes to outside large scale developers. However, property owners should not have more regulations and rules than they already have. Table 5: Land Use Opportunities Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to address unique land use situations on the island related to individual wastewater systems (IWS) and prioritization of resources. p. 26 Clarification is needed on the meaning of land use situations Explain clearly what the “rezoning” will be and clarify if AG land will be affected. The current zoning for Hawaii island is 80% AG. Any reduction of AG is contrary to sustainable production of food. Transparency is needed on what the “preferred land use pattern” is. The current system should remain, so developments are proposed one by one, and agencies and communities have time and energy to address impacts. Policies Sentence types are mixed, hampering comprehension. 4.3 Zoning, subdivision, and other applicable ordinances shall provide for and protect open space areas. These new zonings shall not hinder current land owners who have a right to own their property unhindered by governmental policies. Declarative sentence 4.4 Support mechanisms, such as Planned Unit Development and Cluster Plan Development, that cluster density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds. p. 27 Define “cluster density”. This should not be in regards to developing apartment style homes. ENERGY 4.9 Route selection for high-voltage transmission lines should include consideration for setbacks from major thoroughfares and residential areas. Where feasible, delineate energy corridors for such high-voltage transmission lines. p. 27 Encourage - incentivize “off grid” or distributed power sources, instead of centralized, to increase resiliency. Priority Actions 4.a Develop a process for County-initiated State Land Use boundary reclassification. p. 28 See related comment for p. 26. Transparency for “boundary reclassification” is needed. What exactly are the boundaries in question and what will it be reclassified to? 6.d Amend the Zoning Code to allow for Planned Unit Developments (PUD) to become administrative permits and subject to the approval of the Planning Director. p. 29 This should be deleted! The people do not want to live in Units and these “planned units” are against current zoning codes. Table 6: Urban Land Use Urban Expansion Reserve Allows for a mix of high density, medium density, low density, industrial-commercial mix, and/or natural designations in areas where growth may be desirable, but where specific settlement and infrastructure have not yet been determined. p. 32 This should be deleted! Mixing housing, industrial, and natural uses can result in severe impacts on safety, health, and natural resources. Priority Actions 9.d Amend the Zoning Code and Subdivision Code to establish Clustered Rural Subdivision PUD. p. 60 The meaning of “Clustered Rural Subdivision PUD” should be explained. Objective 10 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Policies p. 62 A policy to support small-scale agriculture should be added . 10.5 Support the development of small-scale visitor accommodations that directly promote the agriculture industry, health and wellness industry, or are near points of interest. p. 62 Only accommodations that directly promote agriculture should be allowed. More transparency is needed in reference to the “health and wellness industry” and why they are in this section or remove it. Those industries are not an integral part of AG land use. They are a bi-product of good farming practices. 10.6 Any subdivision or farm labor housing complex developed on Productive Agricultural Lands should be clustered to minimize impact. p. 62 Define clustered, subdivisions should not be developed on these lands. There is no proof carbon sequestration will be effective, it is expensive, obtrusive, and the entire premise of global warming from CO2 level increase is unfounded. Earthquakes, eruptions, floods, and other events release carbon stored underground. CO2 only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere and is necessary for photosynthesis. Priority Actions 10.b Conduct a study to review a maximum developed area consideration for properties designated as Productive Agricultural lands. p. 62 This should be deleted. Private property AG land should not be considered for anything other than what the property owner desires. It should not be considered for “maximum development”. 10.c Create and adopt a County Agricultural Tourism program p 62 The plan has no merit. Private land owners don’t want to be disturbed. It is also a liability with livestock and trespassing. 10.g Amend the Zoning Code to require Plan Approval for commercial open area recreational uses in the County Agricultural District. p 62 Zoning should NOT be amended in AG land, it is important for sustainability. Section 2: Transportation Access and Mobility Table 18: Transportation Key Trends Investment in Electric Vehicles is counter productive to the environment. Electric Vehicles add a huge strain on the electric grid. They are very costly to own both in price of car, maintenance, and electric bill. The companies that make EV use fossil fuels. The new gas driven cars are much lower in emissions and cheaper to buy. Lastly, the batteries in EVs are dangerous during car accidents and toxic to the environment. Table 20: Transportation Opportunities Continuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative Planning p 68 Traffic plans submitted to planning commissions and County Council typically include many pages dealing with vehicular traffic and very few pages on bicycles, walking, wheelchairs, etc. Requirements should be changed so alternative modes receive at least equal consideration, safe bike lanes should be a high priority to cut down emissions. Objective 14 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). p. 78 The Planning Department can create easier and safer methods of travel but have no right to dictate how many miles people drive. The people’s right to travel shall not be impeded. Delete this section. Developers should not be granted relief from requirements for sidewalks, bike lanes, etc. Priority Actions p. 78 The County traffic lights should be set to staggered operating hours for both public and private sectors, to lessen traffic congestion and improve safety. Drinking Water p 89 The County, In cooperation with State and Federal government, should support people on catchment with information about system design, construction, operation, troubleshooting, and repair, including readily accessible information and assistance for safeguarding health. Wastewater p 89 Federal government should be removed. This could be a simple information packet that supports off grid lifestyles. Alternatives to sewers and septic systems should be considered, such as toilets that use little or no water, and water recycling. Table 25: Public Utility Opportunities Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management. p 91 The meaning of “Be a net power producer with…waste management” should be clarified. Add what are the benefits to hydrogen fuel, how will vehicles be retrofitted to carry this technology? Priority Actions Drinking-Water Conservation p 102 New water bottling plants should be prohibited to prevent depletion of the aquifer. Drinking-Water Prioritization p. 102 There should be standard requirements for new water wells so parts are interchangeable. Presently, different developers install different types of wells. So when repairs are needed, parts are not interchangeable and must be special ordered, often with lengthy delays. 23.k Develop criteria and standards for all variances in water supply p 103 “Variances in water supply” should be explained. 3.5: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse p. 105 Water recycling should be encouraged wherever possible. 24.n Amend HCC, Section 21-26-1(a) requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council” to read, “all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” p 109 This should be deleted and County Council oversight should be maintained. This is an overreach of the government. Section 4: Public Facilities and Services 4.1: Introduction Table 29: Public Facilities and Services Opportunities Solid Waste Investigate and implement innovative waste management technologies and practices, which may include...waste-to-energy conversion...p. 118 “waste-to-energy conversion” should be deleted. See comments for p. 15. 4.5: Recreation Objective 30 Priority Actions Recreational Facilities Maintenance and Improvement 30.y…Note: Edit to reflect future code updates. p. 138 30.z …Note: Confirm that this is adequate. p. 138 The edit and confirmation should have been in the draft plan so the public could Comment. 4.6: Community Health and Wellness Objective 31 Priority Actions 31.h Amend county zoning and building codes as necessary to accommodate home and community-based care elderly care. PD Phase 1 CODE AMENDMENT p. 144 Add “and residential facilities for people with disabilities”. Section 5: Housing for All Priority Actions Neighborhood covenants that require houses to have a minimum square footage should be prohibited. This leads to unnecessary expense and unnecessary use of resources, and makes housing unaffordable for many people. Table 40: Economic Key Trends Poverty Persists p. 161 Information on the number of wealthy people on the island to include total land ownership should be included. Job Market Characteristics Tourism drives the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services industries and much of the retail trade, representing a large portion of employment. p. 162 Measures should be taken to reduce dependence on tourism and focus on producing food and other necessities locally. Table 41: Economic Challenges General p. 163 Data centers are a tremendous drain on electricity and need water for cooling. They generate stressful levels of noise 24 hours a day. Data centers and nuclear power plants should not be considered. Agriculture and Food Systems p.164 Support should be Increased for backyard farmers, including gardening advice. Section 8: Agriculture and Food Systems p. 169 This should be section 7, since it is a higher priority. Objective 42 Increase interagency coordination, programs, and policy initiatives that improve local agriculture infrastructure. Priority Actions 42.g Amend bulk regulations including building materials for agricultural facilities and infrastructure. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 Need more transparency. The plan should be specified with proposed amendments. 42.i Evaluate grubbing and grading ordinances as they pertain to agriculture including the creation of exemption categories for water storage and aquaculture. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 42.m Amend Hawai‘i County Code to include provisions for suitable agricultural infrastructure projects financed by County bonds and liens on real property of participating agricultural stakeholders, whether such assessments on TMKs involve contiguous parcels of lands encumbered under an “Agricultural Improvement District”. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 More transparency is needed in regards to County bonds and liens on property. “TMK” should be defined. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Introduction Local Engagement Foster grassroots participation and balancing of interests by providing opportunities for active civic engagement, where citizens have the means to collaborate with the government and are empowered to effect positive change consistent with plans developed under this chapter. p. 202 “The government” should be removed and replaced with the County. See comment for p. 182. Community Development Plans p. 204 Urban Development Plans p. 205 Special Area Plans p. 206 Public Agency Functional Plans and Programs p. 206 The General Plan draft should cite statutory authority for each of these. Public Agency Functional Plans and Programs p. 206 Blocks of text for this section appear to be moved to the wrong spot on the page. Priorities and Phases The first phase is the consistency phase and will require a hard look at our policy and planning framework to ensure consistency with this General Plan. It includes implementation actions such as auditing codes to determine needed updates and updating our Community Development Plans and other relevant plans. p. 209 There should be ample opportunity for the public to comment. Transparency regarding which codes will be audited and how is crucial. Phase 1 2024-2029 Revamp of CIP process p. 209 “CIP” should be explained. Proposed changes should be more fully described. . COMPARISON OF 2005 AND 2045 PLANS The 2045 Plan is lacking many features of the 2005 Plan that provided information and facilitated understanding. Public comment is hampered by the lack of a table of contents for 2045, and by no mechanism to copy text from the 2005 plan PDF. 2005 2045 Table of Contents none, unless you happen to click on an Icon on the left, which yields a brief table of contents. Things that are needed include: List of Tables List of Maps Statement of assumptions Projections re. employment and population Citation of sources for tables Maps other than LUPAG maps Lava hazard zones Historic sites Schools Libraries Police stations Fire stations Courts Correctional facilities Hospitals Landfills and transfer stations Cemeteries Electric power generating facilities Water wells and springs Wastewater treatment plants Parks—County, State, Federal Roadways—detailed maps for various districts Airports Wharfs and harbors Government owned lands: Federal, State, DHHL Military installations Testimony comments submitted 25 September 2024 click below Hide original message Aloha, After attending 23 September workshop in Waimea regarding the 2045 Hawaii County plan, it was very clear no one that attended was in favor of the final proposed draft. The language was not practical for the needs of the community with the most common concern being lack of water to sustain the projected population growth, followed by land use, lack of affordable housing and transportation needs. My intention as a 33 year national security expert is to provide overview testimony of more imminent issues in emergency management we as a community must prepare for in addition to long term planning based on population growth. Agenda for the 21st Century by Non Governmental Organizations - Stakeholders In the first sentence of policy rationale executive summary in the 2023 Integrated Climate Action Plan (ICAP) for Hawaii states "The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded in its most recent report that human activities have unequivocally caused global warming." https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/135070/County%20of%20Hawaii%20-%20Integrated%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20(2023).pdf This ICAP template is solely focused on human based activities which have less than 1% impact on our climate according to numerous sources. ICAP also fails to mention space weather events which have far more repercussions to all lifeforms and human civilization. The UN and other non governmental organizations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) have been touting this narrative for decades as a mechanism to implement Agenda 21. The Hawaii County Planning Department should educate on the history of this agenda which is linked to consolidation of power by the few (Stakeholders) to form a New World Order with full intention to erode individual freedom and sovereign nations. Dr. Jacob Nordangard provides a historical overview in the video link below. These policies fail to uphold our God given rights and legislators captured by this Agenda have already begun to introduce draconian bills without understanding repercussions of their actions upon the community. https://rumble.com/v1qxp4i--full-history- of-the-wef-un-the-climate-change-hoax-covid-19-and-the-people.html On September 22, 2024 the UN consolidated its reach into sovereign nations despite pushback and adopted the Pact for the Future, in which Heads of State and Government — representing the peoples of the world — made 56 pledges to action seeking to protect the needs and interests of present and future generations amid the climate change, crisis and conflict currently gripping the globe. "Nevertheless, at the outset of the meeting, the representative of the Russian Federation proposed an amendment (document A/79/L.3) to the Pact, stating that “no one is happy with this text”. That amendment proposed the addition of language relating to the United Nations’ intervention in “matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State” and to avoiding certain duplication of effort." https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12627.doc.htm The rationale behind the Hawaii County plan does not address significant earth changes even though world governments have been preparing for decades As of 2015 "The Earth’s core is in the midst of a significant change. During the last 400 years, the geomagnetic field, or magnetosphere, has declined in strength by a remarkable 40%. Measurements by ESA’s SWARM geomagnetism monitoring satellite array have further confirmed this change with measurements indicating the magnetic field is weakening ten times faster than previously predicted. The weakening trend in the magnetic field clearly shows that the Earth’s core is undergoing a substantial transformation. The Earth’s geomagnetic field is responsible for both shielding the atmosphere and biosphere from the harmful effects of solar and cosmic radiation, and creating conditions on the surface that are ripe for life. The magnetosphere, then, is the invisible barrier that has played a significant role in protecting the Earth from the harmful effects of space." https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1040918.pdf Although man-made weather modification thru geoengineering patents are also implicated for the uptick in many local and regional events to include storms, flooding, and fires (including Lahaina which was blamed on a hurricane over 500 miles away) over the last few decades; it is worth noting that our sun, planetary alignments, cycles, and space weather ultimately drive weather patterns. According to 50 year meteorologist David Dilley among others, we are entering a cooling pattern. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ While non governmental organizations such as the WEF tout climate change is coming from human carbon emissions, world governments are preparing for adverse space weather during a polarity transition building vast underground infrastructure. In October 2016 the Obama administration issued Executive Order 13744 to all departments Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events. This executive order was written after the 2015 research document by Tyler J. Williams, Captain, USAF (above link) that evaluated the impacts to US infrastructure of increases in solar and cosmic radiation regarding the weakening magnetosphere of our planet. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events Wandering magnetic north pole moving out of Canada toward Siberia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_magnetic_field Just 10 days before the above executive order was signed, the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers. This was a massive civil defense exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. It is worth noting that a nuclear war scenario would not allow time to evacuate that amount of civilians into bunkers. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Hawaii General plan mentions the potential to sequester C02 as rationale to reduce man made impacts, even though temperature levels are drastically lower now than they have been in 485 million years (see chart above) Photosynthesis activity in plants requires C02 and only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere. Reduction of this necessary element would have a catastrophic chain reaction and is a risk to ALL carbon based lifeforms. Several long-term studies have provided strong support demonstrating that growing crops under elevated [CO2] can increase photosynthesis and result in an increase in yield, flavour and nutritional content (including but not limited to Vitamins C, E and pro-vitamin A). In the case of tomato, increases in yield by as much as 80% are observed when plants are cultivated at 1000 ppm [CO2], which is consistent with current commercial greenhouse production methods in the tomato fruit industry. These results provide a clear demonstration of the potential for elevating [CO2] for improving yield and quality in greenhouse crops. https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/10/4/uhad026/7049409?login=false This testimony is to provide overall big picture of extinction level event(s) to instigate community emergency preparedness as part of the overall plan Increased solar radiation as a result of the earths weakening magnetosphere and polarity shift will significantly impact survivability of our community. There will be significant disruptions of the supply chain, challenges with food production, energy blackouts, and limited communications. Community preparedness for such events are not documented in the draft general plan, meanwhile many eastern hemisphere nations including Russia, Thailand, and Japan have been preparing for these events with local civil defense for years. Citizens of Hawaii county are aware of the influx of billionaires over the last 20 years that have had impact on county policy and planning. Many have taken permanent residence and hedging Hawaii island has a good chance of survivability during these changes. In light of this information, my suggestion is for our county to birth its own plan based on the needs of the community expressed in numerus testimonies and include space weather scenarios as potential hazards. County officials would be wise to form a committee of experienced personnel from various departments - including the local community members with relevant capabilities that can prioritize and draft a community plan that includes emergency preparedness that is relevant to our our island. We need to focus on independence with agricultural food production, innovative energy and building technologies and resilience thru preparation to create our own future we want to see. Mahalo for your service, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI From:sharkgss To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Needs Major OverhaulDate:Friday, November 22, 2024 10:40:51 AM Aloha, After commenting on the 2045 General Plan online, providing extensive testimony and attending workshops it is clear this document needs a great deal of revision and citizens are not aligned with the draconian template handed down to local communities in Western countries by the World Economic Forum.The original version in 2005 plan contains the words "homeowner" and "farmer" while the 2045 plan is written by and for "stakeholders!" This is outrageous and the words "homeowner" and "farmer" do not appear anywhere! "Farmer" is in the 2005 GENERAL PLAN fourteen (14) times and "homeowner" appears four (4) times. In addition to my original testimonies below being re-submitted I want to add a few more points: 1. The State and the County corporations have no right to acquire land. The State has no right to any County property, including harbors. 2. Remove any reference to "Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan" it is not relevant for our island. 3. Remove reference to climate change caused by humans, this is unproven and being used as a psychological control mechanism by the top 1%. This includes removing references to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Carbon dioxide sequestration is a really really stupid idea, waste of tax payer funds, and will further degrade our flora. 4. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because State and County corporations are not acting on behalf of its residents and clearly acting on behalf of stakeholders. 5. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "land owner" or "farmer/rancher". 6. Zoning needs to be re-visited - why is Agricultural land being reduced by 40%, unacceptable!!! 7. Remove the words "equity" and "equitable" from everywhere they appear. More emphasis should be on equality of opportunity rather than equity of results. We do not want to move into communism, people need to work for what they get, and people who have worked and succeeded need to keep the fruits of their labors. Equity cannot be legislated. 8. Remove the word "sustainability" from everywhere it appears. This term has NO SCIENTIFIC PARAMETERS, NO EFFECTIVE DEFINITION for anything to do with lawmaking !! 9. Revise the proposed land use maps, they are not fully relevant to our vast micro climates. 10. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the egregious concept of "smart" cities. This is a rural island. 11. Remove ANY reference to digital currencies. 12. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 13. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed general plan. 14. Reword the governments intention for "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land that will not be a violation of privacy rights. 15. Add language regarding the danger of 5G and beyond technology easements and studies. 16. Remove ANY reference to incentivizing or regulating water use and incentivize catchment. 17. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 18. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 19. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. Testimony submitted 27 March 2024 Aloha, Please consider appointing a team comprised of "stewards" of the community to review and re-write this document. We need a plan that is by the people and for the people. Providing comments on the county version live document is a very cumbersome process and not user friendly. Below are relevant comments combined from a few county residents including myself. Mahalo, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI General Comments are as follows: Suggest subtitle “Stewardship Plan for Hawai’i County” Overall the plan lacks presentation of relevant issues, proposes some harmful initiatives, contains garbled language, and lacks vital public input. There is no clear plan for strengthening infrastructure and power grid against space weather. Stakeholders are stated in the document 47 times. Who are the Stakeholders and Partners with the government? What private and nonprofit agencies are involved in this process? It is deeply concerning that partnership with landowners and the general public is not stated anywhere. The plan should not be finalized until the State legislative session is over, the Governor is done signing/vetoing bills, and the override deadline has passed to allow for accommodation of relevant changes. The document appears to be a template handed down from the United Nations Agenda 21 initiative that is using human based climate change models to implement a one world government attempting to "capture" local governments. Thousands of scientists have come forward in recent years explaining that the human effect on climate is minuscule as compared to the sun. The document contains no explanation how the county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications) due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been diligently preparing for. This document lacks sufficient detail in many areas to include tables, and maps. Syntax is sometimes garbled. Few acronyms are explained. There are notes indicating information may be added later. The table of contents and appendix are missing. Concerns raised by commenters need to be addressed, and another round of public meetings held, before the plan goes to the Planning Commissions and County Council. The comment period needs to be extended, the document is too vague and the code of ethics and professional conduct of the American Institute of Certified Planners shall provide timely, adequate, clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and to governmental decision makers. See page 4. Purpose and Authority Authority Limits of the General Plan The 2045 General Plan contains no authority to change previously existing subdivisions or Zoning without collective collaboration. It's hard for community collaboration when the document contains obscure and garbled language. Clarify what is meant by “specific to the actions” and “because, as” Hawaiʻi Island Goals The goals of the General Plan synthesize those concepts and value statements adopted by ordinance in the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. The appendix includes tables used to complete the goals, including the source material from the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. page 8 The LUPAG maps contain numerous zoning changes. Regulatory Implementing Actions in the 2045 General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter §3-15. p. 7 Climate Mitigation A great deal of content is based on Climate Mitigation from human activity which has a minuscule effect on the earth's overall climate. Over 99% of the climate affects are driven by solar activity, cycles, and space weather. The document completely fails to mention the threat of space weather and is almost entirely focused on carbon emissions promoted by the United Nations Climate Agenda. Our Federal Government has been preparing for space weather threats for many years, yet the Hawai'i island plan lacks any reference to this even though critical infrastructure (energy, communications, transportation, and supply chain) is at risk due to increased solar radiation from our weakening magnetosphere. In 2015 the magnetosphere was down by 40% according to this Federal Doc. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1040918#:~:text=The%20research%20evaluates%20the%20impacts,reversals%20and%20adverse%20space%20weather In October of 2016 President Obama issued the following executive order Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events - Executive order 13744 (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-201600692 ) Section 1. Policy. Space weather events, in the form of solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances, occur regularly, some with measurable effects on critical infrastructure systems and technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations and communication, aviation, and the electrical power grid. Extreme space weather events—those that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure—could disable large portions of the electrical power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare, and transportation. Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector. It is the policy of the United States to prepare for space weather events to minimize the extent of economic loss and human hardship. The Federal Government must have (1) the capability to predict and detect a space weather event, (2) the plans and programs necessary to alert the public and private sectors to enable mitigating actions for an impending space weather event, (3) the protection and mitigation plans, protocols, and standards required to reduce risks to critical infrastructure prior to and during a credible threat, and (4) the ability to respond to and recover from the effects of space weather. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate their efforts to prepare for the effects of space weather events. Sec. 2. Objectives. This order defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather. These activities are to be implemented in conjunction with those identified in the 2015 National Space Weather Action Plan (Action Plan) and any subsequent updates. Implementing this order and the Action Plan will require the Federal Government to work across agencies and to develop, as appropriate, enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; academia; non-profits; the private sector; and international partners. These efforts will enhance national preparedness and speed the creation of a space-weather-ready Nation. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events In October 2016 (about 10 days before the above executive order was signed) the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers.This was a massive exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. A spokesman said in a statement: “The main goal of the drill is to practice organization of management during civil defense events and emergency and fire management, to check preparedness of management bodies and forces of civil defense on all levels to respond to natural and man-made disasters and to take civil defense measures.” https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Additional info on this: Cataclysmic Polarity Shift , Part 2 - How Can I Prepare For Such An Event? https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=GSHnF2PTz5s Safe Zones and Disasters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpILRrxCMiw Solar Micronova is Going to Happen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEMXp1HlzUs&t=0s Earth Disaster is Coming | ALL The Evidence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j635Cv2aOlA&t=0s Man made geoengineering is an operation primarily used to block out solar radiation and create, distribute, and deflect weather systems. Its use over many decades is outside the scope of public knowledge and having significant impacts on our environment/weather to include increased super storms, fires, flooding, droughts, and causing very high levels of aluminum in the soil and tissue samples of all mammals. I personally have tested hundreds of humans and animals and seen very high levels in all hair analysis tests. This is why Monsanto developed aluminum resistant seeds, soil in North America is testing 40,000 times higher rates of aluminum in the last 2 decades. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ Tennessee and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills to ban this practice. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/03/20/tennessee-senate-passes-bill-banning-chemtrails-what-to-know/73027586007/ Maui county council passed a bill in 2010 to ban geoengineering and this link explains how it is being used to lessen the effects of solar radiation. There has been no public oversight or consent to these projects. http://mauiskywatch.org/info-official-reports/ It is clear based on the above information the governments of the world are preparing for space weather effects due to the weakening magnetic field, therefore it is critical that the county review and adopt their own contingency plans. Hawaii county should implement a ban on geoengineering before soil is too toxic with aluminum and when combined with glyphosate it can cross the blood brain barrier. Some suggested solutions are environmentally unfriendly, and nuclear power is catastrophically dangerous. Potential of micro nuclear was mentioned on page 15. Hawaii State Constitution, article XI, section 8 NUCLEAR ENERGY Section 8. No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature. We live on an active volcano with frequent earthquakes, threats of hurricanes, tsunamis and unexpected lava flows. Having a nuclear power plant on this island is a huge liability. It could be cataclysmic and there will always be the issue of storage leaks. In 2011 I experienced the 5.8 earthquake in Orange, VA. It shut down the Lake Anna Nuclear facility for almost 2 years. There are numerous other types of energy to explore, to include water generated motors that are now used in places like Pakistan and India. These kits allow existing vehicles to be fitted that use only 2% fuel consumption and 98% water. We should be looking at ways to harness ocean water for energy. The ocean thermal energy conversion, or OTEC, which uses seawater to turn solar energy into electricity or hydrokinetic energy or marine renewable energy, is a renewable power source that is harnessed from the natural movement of water, including waves, tides, and river and ocean currents. These should be considered since water surrounds the entire island. Climate change threats p. 19 3.3 Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts. Hawai'i County needs to first and foremost collaborate with the general public. Transparency is needed on exactly how government agencies, private corporations, nonprofit agencies are involved and explain who these “stakeholders” are. The planning department should take into consideration that over 1,900 scientists from around the world have signed a declaration that there is no climate emergency. Climate change has been occurring on this planet all along driven by solar activity and cycles. https://clintel.org/wp- content/uploads/2023/08/WCD-version-081423.pdf John Coleman, the founder of the weather channel, the first meteorologist on Good Morning America in the 1970’s and the winner of the Meteorologist of the Year award by the US Association for Meteorology in 1982, has spent 60 years studying the weather. He presents his view that there is no significant man-made global warming in this half-hour PowerPoint presentation. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=ZuTpJ- bEnNPCGOkf WASTE-TO-ENERGY Two “waste-to-energy” proposals (2008 and 2015) for Hawai’i Island were rejected after months of divisive debate. It was concluded the island doesn’t generate enough garbage to make it cost effective. O’ahu taxpayers are paying penalties to H-Power because O’ahu can’t generate enough waste to fulfill the contract. While some advanced waste treatment technologies are promoted as alternative energy producing, the energy conserved by recycling and composting the source materials exceeds the amount of energy produced by these technologies by three to five times. There are some "glass type" building materials that can be produced by the incineration process. Incineration is a form of Destructive Disposal via combustion or thermal conversion/treatment, using high temperatures of discarded materials into ash/slag, syngas, flue gas, fuel, or heat. Incineration includes facilities and processes that may be stationary or mobile, may recover energy from heat or power and may use single or multiple stages. Some forms of incineration may be described as resource recovery, energy recovery, trash to steam, waste to energy, energy from waste, fluidized bed, catalytic cracking, biomass15, steam electric power plant (burning waste), pyrolysis, thermolysis, gasification, plasma arc, thermal depolymerization or refuse derived fuel. Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities Section 1: Land Use Table 4: Land Use Challenges Regulations The current regulatory process dictates that the State Land Use Commission must preside over boundary amendments that exceed 15 acres, which limits the efficiency of ensuring consistency in the land use pattern. p. 25 Land Use Commission protections against unwise development should be maintained when it comes to outside large scale developers. However, property owners should not have more regulations and rules than they already have. Table 5: Land Use Opportunities Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to address unique land use situations on the island related to individual wastewater systems (IWS) and prioritization of resources. p. 26 Clarification is needed on the meaning of land use situations Explain clearly what the “rezoning” will be and clarify if AG land will be affected. The current zoning for Hawaii island is 80% AG. Any reduction of AG is contrary to sustainable production of food. Transparency is needed on what the “preferred land use pattern” is. The current system should remain, so developments are proposed one by one, and agencies and communities have time and energy to address impacts. Policies Sentence types are mixed, hampering comprehension. 4.3 Zoning, subdivision, and other applicable ordinances shall provide for and protect open space areas. These new zonings shall not hinder current land owners who have a right to own their property unhindered by governmental policies. Declarative sentence 4.4 Support mechanisms, such as Planned Unit Development and Cluster Plan Development, that cluster density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds. p. 27 Define “cluster density”. This should not be in regards to developing apartment style homes. ENERGY 4.9 Route selection for high-voltage transmission lines should include consideration for setbacks from major thoroughfares and residential areas. Where feasible, delineate energy corridors for such high-voltage transmission lines. p. 27 Encourage - incentivize “off grid” or distributed power sources, instead of centralized, to increase resiliency. Priority Actions 4.a Develop a process for County-initiated State Land Use boundary reclassification. p. 28 See related comment for p. 26. Transparency for “boundary reclassification” is needed. What exactly are the boundaries in question and what will it be reclassified to? 6.d Amend the Zoning Code to allow for Planned Unit Developments (PUD) to become administrative permits and subject to the approval of the Planning Director. p. 29 This should be deleted! The people do not want to live in Units and these “planned units” are against current zoning codes. Table 6: Urban Land Use Urban Expansion Reserve Allows for a mix of high density, medium density, low density, industrial-commercial mix, and/or natural designations in areas where growth may be desirable, but where specific settlement and infrastructure have not yet been determined. p. 32 This should be deleted! Mixing housing, industrial, and natural uses can result in severe impacts on safety, health, and natural resources. Priority Actions 9.d Amend the Zoning Code and Subdivision Code to establish Clustered Rural Subdivision PUD. p. 60 The meaning of “Clustered Rural Subdivision PUD” should be explained. Objective 10 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Policies p. 62 A policy to support small-scale agriculture should be added . 10.5 Support the development of small-scale visitor accommodations that directly promote the agriculture industry, health and wellness industry, or are near points of interest. p. 62 Only accommodations that directly promote agriculture should be allowed. More transparency is needed in reference to the “health and wellness industry” and why they are in this section or remove it. Those industries are not an integral part of AG land use. They are a bi-product of good farming practices. 10.6 Any subdivision or farm labor housing complex developed on Productive Agricultural Lands should be clustered to minimize impact. p. 62 Define clustered, subdivisions should not be developed on these lands. There is no proof carbon sequestration will be effective, it is expensive, obtrusive, and the entire premise of global warming from CO2 level increase is unfounded. Earthquakes, eruptions, floods, and other events release carbon stored underground. CO2 only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere and is necessary for photosynthesis. Priority Actions 10.b Conduct a study to review a maximum developed area consideration for properties designated as Productive Agricultural lands. p. 62 This should be deleted. Private property AG land should not be considered for anything other than what the property owner desires. It should not be considered for “maximum development”. 10.c Create and adopt a County Agricultural Tourism program p 62 The plan has no merit. Private land owners don’t want to be disturbed. It is also a liability with livestock and trespassing. 10.g Amend the Zoning Code to require Plan Approval for commercial open area recreational uses in the County Agricultural District. p 62 Zoning should NOT be amended in AG land, it is important for sustainability. Section 2: Transportation Access and Mobility Table 18: Transportation Key Trends Investment in Electric Vehicles is counter productive to the environment. Electric Vehicles add a huge strain on the electric grid. They are very costly to own both in price of car, maintenance, and electric bill. The companies that make EV use fossil fuels. The new gas driven cars are much lower in emissions and cheaper to buy. Lastly, the batteries in EVs are dangerous during car accidents and toxic to the environment. Table 20: Transportation Opportunities Continuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative Planning p 68 Traffic plans submitted to planning commissions and County Council typically include many pages dealing with vehicular traffic and very few pages on bicycles, walking, wheelchairs, etc. Requirements should be changed so alternative modes receive at least equal consideration, safe bike lanes should be a high priority to cut down emissions. Objective 14 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). p. 78 The Planning Department can create easier and safer methods of travel but have no right to dictate how many miles people drive. The people’s right to travel shall not be impeded. Delete this section. Developers should not be granted relief from requirements for sidewalks, bike lanes, etc. Priority Actions p. 78 The County traffic lights should be set to staggered operating hours for both public and private sectors, to lessen traffic congestion and improve safety. Drinking Water p 89 The County, In cooperation with State and Federal government, should support people on catchment with information about system design, construction, operation, troubleshooting, and repair, including readily accessible information and assistance for safeguarding health. Wastewater p 89 Federal government should be removed. This could be a simple information packet that supports off grid lifestyles. Alternatives to sewers and septic systems should be considered, such as toilets that use little or no water, and water recycling. Table 25: Public Utility Opportunities Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management. p 91 The meaning of “Be a net power producer with…waste management” should be clarified. Add what are the benefits to hydrogen fuel, how will vehicles be retrofitted to carry this technology? Priority Actions Drinking-Water Conservation p 102 New water bottling plants should be prohibited to prevent depletion of the aquifer. Drinking-Water Prioritization p. 102 There should be standard requirements for new water wells so parts are interchangeable. Presently, different developers install different types of wells. So when repairs are needed, parts are not interchangeable and must be special ordered, often with lengthy delays. 23.k Develop criteria and standards for all variances in water supply p 103 “Variances in water supply” should be explained. 3.5: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse p. 105 Water recycling should be encouraged wherever possible. 24.n Amend HCC, Section 21-26-1(a) requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council” to read, “all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” p 109 This should be deleted and County Council oversight should be maintained. This is an overreach of the government. Section 4: Public Facilities and Services 4.1: Introduction Table 29: Public Facilities and Services Opportunities Solid Waste Investigate and implement innovative waste management technologies and practices, which may include...waste-to-energy conversion...p. 118 “waste-to-energy conversion” should be deleted. See comments for p. 15. 4.5: Recreation Objective 30 Priority Actions Recreational Facilities Maintenance and Improvement 30.y…Note: Edit to reflect future code updates. p. 138 30.z …Note: Confirm that this is adequate. p. 138 The edit and confirmation should have been in the draft plan so the public could Comment. 4.6: Community Health and Wellness Objective 31 Priority Actions 31.h Amend county zoning and building codes as necessary to accommodate home and community-based care elderly care. PD Phase 1 CODE AMENDMENT p. 144 Add “and residential facilities for people with disabilities”. Section 5: Housing for All Priority Actions Neighborhood covenants that require houses to have a minimum square footage should be prohibited. This leads to unnecessary expense and unnecessary use of resources, and makes housing unaffordable for many people. Table 40: Economic Key Trends Poverty Persists p. 161 Information on the number of wealthy people on the island to include total land ownership should be included. Job Market Characteristics Tourism drives the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services industries and much of the retail trade, representing a large portion of employment. p. 162 Measures should be taken to reduce dependence on tourism and focus on producing food and other necessities locally. Table 41: Economic Challenges General p. 163 Data centers are a tremendous drain on electricity and need water for cooling. They generate stressful levels of noise 24 hours a day. Data centers and nuclear power plants should not be considered. Agriculture and Food Systems p.164 Support should be Increased for backyard farmers, including gardening advice. Section 8: Agriculture and Food Systems p. 169 This should be section 7, since it is a higher priority. Objective 42 Increase interagency coordination, programs, and policy initiatives that improve local agriculture infrastructure. Priority Actions 42.g Amend bulk regulations including building materials for agricultural facilities and infrastructure. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 Need more transparency. The plan should be specified with proposed amendments. 42.i Evaluate grubbing and grading ordinances as they pertain to agriculture including the creation of exemption categories for water storage and aquaculture. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 42.m Amend Hawai‘i County Code to include provisions for suitable agricultural infrastructure projects financed by County bonds and liens on real property of participating agricultural stakeholders, whether such assessments on TMKs involve contiguous parcels of lands encumbered under an “Agricultural Improvement District”. (CODE AMENDMENT | PD | phase 1) p. 175 More transparency is needed in regards to County bonds and liens on property. “TMK” should be defined. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Introduction Local Engagement Foster grassroots participation and balancing of interests by providing opportunities for active civic engagement, where citizens have the means to collaborate with the government and are empowered to effect positive change consistent with plans developed under this chapter. p. 202 “The government” should be removed and replaced with the County. See comment for p. 182. Community Development Plans p. 204 Urban Development Plans p. 205 Special Area Plans p. 206 Public Agency Functional Plans and Programs p. 206 The General Plan draft should cite statutory authority for each of these. Public Agency Functional Plans and Programs p. 206 Blocks of text for this section appear to be moved to the wrong spot on the page. Priorities and Phases The first phase is the consistency phase and will require a hard look at our policy and planning framework to ensure consistency with this General Plan. It includes implementation actions such as auditing codes to determine needed updates and updating our Community Development Plans and other relevant plans. p. 209 There should be ample opportunity for the public to comment. Transparency regarding which codes will be audited and how is crucial. Phase 1 2024-2029 Revamp of CIP process p. 209 “CIP” should be explained. Proposed changes should be more fully described. . COMPARISON OF 2005 AND 2045 PLANS The 2045 Plan is lacking many features of the 2005 Plan that provided information and facilitated understanding. Public comment is hampered by the lack of a table of contents for 2045, and by no mechanism to copy text from the 2005 plan PDF. 2005 2045 Table of Contents none, unless you happen to click on an Icon on the left, which yields a brief table of contents. Things that are needed include: List of Tables List of Maps Statement of assumptions Projections re. employment and population Citation of sources for tables Maps other than LUPAG maps Lava hazard zones Historic sites Schools Libraries Police stations Fire stations Courts Correctional facilities Hospitals Landfills and transfer stations Cemeteries Electric power generating facilities Water wells and springs Wastewater treatment plants Parks—County, State, Federal Roadways—detailed maps for various districts Airports Wharfs and harbors Government owned lands: Federal, State, DHHL Military installations Testimony comments submitted 25 September 2024 click below Hide original message Aloha, After attending 23 September workshop in Waimea regarding the 2045 Hawaii County plan, it was very clear no one that attended was in favor of the final proposed draft. The language was not practical for the needs of the community with the most common concern being lack of water to sustain the projected population growth, followed by land use, lack of affordable housing and transportation needs. My intention as a 33 year national security expert is to provide overview testimony of more imminent issues in emergency management we as a community must prepare for in addition to long term planning based on population growth. Agenda for the 21st Century by Non Governmental Organizations - Stakeholders In the first sentence of policy rationale executive summary in the 2023 Integrated Climate Action Plan (ICAP) for Hawaii states "The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded in its most recent report that human activities have unequivocally caused global warming." https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/135070/County%20of%20Hawaii%20-%20Integrated%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20(2023).pdf This ICAP template is solely focused on human based activities which have less than 1% impact on our climate according to numerous sources. ICAP also fails to mention space weather events which have far more repercussions to all lifeforms and human civilization. The UN and other non governmental organizations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) have been touting this narrative for decades as a mechanism to implement Agenda 21. The Hawaii County Planning Department should educate on the history of this agenda which is linked to consolidation of power by the few (Stakeholders) to form a New World Order with full intention to erode individual freedom and sovereign nations. Dr. Jacob Nordangard provides a historical overview in the video link below. These policies fail to uphold our God given rights and legislators captured by this Agenda have already begun to introduce draconian bills without understanding repercussions of their actions upon the community. https://rumble.com/v1qxp4i--full-history-of-the-wef-un-the-climate-change-hoax-covid-19- and-the-people.html On September 22, 2024 the UN consolidated its reach into sovereign nations despite pushback and adopted the Pact for the Future, in which Heads of State and Government — representing the peoples of the world — made 56 pledges to action seeking to protect the needs and interests of present and future generations amid the climate change, crisis and conflict currently gripping the globe. "Nevertheless, at the outset of the meeting, the representative of the Russian Federation proposed an amendment (document A/79/L.3) to the Pact, stating that “no one is happy with this text”. That amendment proposed the addition of language relating to the United Nations’ intervention in “matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State” and to avoiding certain duplication of effort." https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12627.doc.htm The rationale behind the Hawaii County plan does not address significant earth changes even though world governments have been preparing for decades As of 2015 "The Earth’s core is in the midst of a significant change. During the last 400 years, the geomagnetic field, or magnetosphere, has declined in strength by a remarkable 40%. Measurements by ESA’s SWARM geomagnetism monitoring satellite array have further confirmed this change with measurements indicating the magnetic field is weakening ten times faster than previously predicted. The weakening trend in the magnetic field clearly shows that the Earth’s core is undergoing a substantial transformation. The Earth’s geomagnetic field is responsible for both shielding the atmosphere and biosphere from the harmful effects of solar and cosmic radiation, and creating conditions on the surface that are ripe for life. The magnetosphere, then, is the invisible barrier that has played a significant role in protecting the Earth from the harmful effects of space." https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1040918.pdf Although man-made weather modification thru geoengineering patents are also implicated for the uptick in many local and regional events to include storms, flooding, and fires (including Lahaina which was blamed on a hurricane over 500 miles away) over the last few decades; it is worth noting that our sun, planetary alignments, cycles, and space weather ultimately drive weather patterns. According to 50 year meteorologist David Dilley among others, we are entering a cooling pattern. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ While non governmental organizations such as the WEF tout climate change is coming from human carbon emissions, world governments are preparing for adverse space weather during a polarity transition building vast underground infrastructure. In October 2016 the Obama administration issued Executive Order 13744 to all departments Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events. This executive order was written after the 2015 research document by Tyler J. Williams, Captain, USAF (above link) that evaluated the impacts to US infrastructure of increases in solar and cosmic radiation regarding the weakening magnetosphere of our planet. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events Wandering magnetic north pole moving out of Canada toward Siberia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_magnetic_field Just 10 days before the above executive order was signed, the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers. This was a massive civil defense exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. It is worth noting that a nuclear war scenario would not allow time to evacuate that amount of civilians into bunkers. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Hawaii General plan mentions the potential to sequester C02 as rationale to reduce man made impacts, even though temperature levels are drastically lower now than they have been in 485 million years (see chart above) Photosynthesis activity in plants requires C02 and only makes up 0.04% of our atmosphere. Reduction of this necessary element would have a catastrophic chain reaction and is a risk to ALL carbon based lifeforms. Several long-term studies have provided strong support demonstrating that growing crops under elevated [CO2] can increase photosynthesis and result in an increase in yield, flavour and nutritional content (including but not limited to Vitamins C, E and pro-vitamin A). In the case of tomato, increases in yield by as much as 80% are observed when plants are cultivated at 1000 ppm [CO2], which is consistent with current commercial greenhouse production methods in the tomato fruit industry. These results provide a clear demonstration of the potential for elevating [CO2] for improving yield and quality in greenhouse crops. https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/10/4/uhad026/7049409?login=false This testimony is to provide overall big picture of extinction level event(s) to instigate community emergency preparedness as part of the overall plan Increased solar radiation as a result of the earths weakening magnetosphere and polarity shift will significantly impact survivability of our community. There will be significant disruptions of the supply chain, challenges with food production, energy blackouts, and limited communications. Community preparedness for such events are not documented in the draft general plan, meanwhile many eastern hemisphere nations including Russia, Thailand, and Japan have been preparing for these events with local civil defense for years. Citizens of Hawaii county are aware of the influx of billionaires over the last 20 years that have had impact on county policy and planning. Many have taken permanent residence and hedging Hawaii island has a good chance of survivability during these changes. In light of this information, my suggestion is for our county to birth its own plan based on the needs of the community expressed in numerus testimonies and include space weather scenarios as potential hazards. County officials would be wise to form a committee of experienced personnel from various departments - including the local community members with relevant capabilities that can prioritize and draft a community plan that includes emergency preparedness that is relevant to our our island. We need to focus on independence with agricultural food production, innovative energy and building technologies and resilience thru preparation to create our own future we want to see. Mahalo for your service, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Testimony About Electric Vehicles. Date:Saturday, November 23, 2024 4:12:04 PM Aloha Commissioners, Here is the information you need to know before recommending electric cars come to the Big Island. https://youtu.be/K5vDWhMHTwE?si=dZdYkT-zdV-QCMap It will explain What really happens when an electric car catches on fire? And does your fire department know how to put these raging infernos out? Please do not bring these cars to the island. It will be like the mongoose, fire ants, and more! 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 8:50 AM Michelle Melendez<michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote: Aloha Commissioners, If this is a plan locals have supported and they're being contacted with each new draft, asMr. Kern stated yesterday, why hasn't one person shown up? Mr. Kern wasn't sworn in and asked to raise his right hand to swear to tell the truth. I think he should be. Concerns about the plan: "Reduced Miles Traveled" should be changed to "Travel Alternatives". It's against the Constitution to deprive people of their right to travel. That language must beremoved from the plan or you, and all those who created this plan are in violation of your oath of office. (No disrespect intended. That is simply the truth.) Electric Vehicles (EV): They want to put charging stations around Big Island for EV which will have more impact on the already impacted grid. How this is beingconsidered disturbs me greatly. There are already power-shortages on the island. This would hinder it even more. Plus, as I've stated in my previous email, EV's are dangerous. Here is a quote from a firefighter. “The problem with EVs is that the lithium-ion batteries can actually propagate afire. In fact, they can actually encourage a fire. If a fire has already started and you have lithium-ion batteries, they can ignite a lot more vigorously compared to any other cars,” said Captain Rahul Khanna, the Global Head of Marine Consulting at Allianz; he has 26 years’ experience in the shipping and maritime industry and 14 years in various ranks onmerchant ships. . Source: “Is It Safe To Ship Thousands Of Electric Cars On Big Ships?” by Mark Vaughn, May 10, 2022.https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a39951439/is-it-safe-to-ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ How will we remove these dangerous cars once they are retired? What about the cost to dispose of EV batteries once they are no longer in use? These batteries cannot simply be thrown away. They are toxic to the environment and people. Hawaii is an island. So will you ship these batteries off island or store them and their toxic waste on the island? They should not be allowed here. What happens if the grid goes down? How will people charge their EV? Off Grid Living: This plan wants to work with the DOH around water catchment. The last thing locals want are more regulations and fines for off grid living. Not oneperson has died from unhealthy water catchment. This should be removed from the plan. Locals know how to take care of themselves. That is not the government's job.Please help stop government overreach. Carbon: There is a section on the plan about reducing carbon. This should beremoved. It is government overreach and will increase regulations and reduce freedom for people under a false premise. The General Plan manager stated that they didresearch with the Federal Government, not actual weather experts and scientists. Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author,scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangersof carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide andcarbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves. Source: “Gregg Braden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OURPlanet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A? si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ Braden also stated in the same interview: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreasesaround 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change. “We’re being led tobelieve that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true.” Climate Change: This entire section should be removed. It is absolute governmentoverreach again on a false premise. An article at Britannica.com written by Thor Arthur Hansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolutionat Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professor of Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact-checked by TheEditors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7, 2024. The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins wasdisplaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges . It was not due to carbon! It was due to the Earth's mantle. Source: “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, ThorArthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period If you need more experts proving what they are saying in the plan is false, let me know. It isimportant to have experts give their opinion and not those invested in renewable energy. Rezoning: The plan will not directly rezone areas but it opens the door to rezoning inmany many areas. This will change people's way of life and have a huge impact on the future of our keiki. What local would want that? This plan should be stopped immediately. It is not the plan that 4K locals worked on. No local would want... Their property value to be reducedTo turn much of the coastland to conservation and have that impact people's property value and right to enjoy the landTo have more regulations, policies and fines To have "incentives" ie. tax increases, to force people to do what the governmentwants There are no sections in the plan for: Supporting people to grow more food. The needed CDP for HiloMore roads to evacuate from South Kona, Waikoloa, and Puna No mention of the fracking that is going on here Supporting and enhancing the systems that are already here This plan does not support this island. It is a massive government overreach. Mahalo for your time. My passion is not meant to be disrespectful. I know you arevolunteers and I more than appreciate what you're doing. Standing up and saying this is a no go, won't be easy. For the future of this island and the keiki, I hope you're brave enough todo it. Mahalo Nui Loa, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:IMPORTANT Testimony on General Plan 2045 (Mahalo for your kōkua) Date:Saturday, November 23, 2024 8:51:15 AM Aloha Commissioners, If this is a plan locals have supported and they're being contacted with each new draft, as Mr. Kern stated yesterday, why hasn't one person shown up? Mr. Kern wasn't sworn in and asked to raise his right hand to swear to tell the truth. I think heshould be. Concerns about the plan: "Reduced Miles Traveled" should be changed to "Travel Alternatives". It's against theConstitution to deprive people of their right to travel. That language must be removed from the plan or you, and all those who created this plan are in violation of your oath ofoffice. (No disrespect intended. That is simply the truth.) Electric Vehicles (EV): They want to put charging stations around Big Island for EVwhich will have more impact on the already impacted grid. How this is being considered disturbs me greatly. There are already power-shortages on the island. This would hinderit even more. Plus, as I've stated in my previous email, EV's are dangerous. Here is a quote from afirefighter. “The problem with EVs is that the lithium-ion batteries can actually propagate a fire. In fact, they can actually encourage a fire. If a fire has already started and you havelithium-ion batteries, they can ignite a lot more vigorously compared to any other cars ,” said Captain Rahul Khanna, the Global Head of Marine Consulting at Allianz; he has 26 years’experience in the shipping and maritime industry and 14 years in various ranks on merchant ships. . Source: “Is It Safe To Ship Thousands Of Electric Cars On Big Ships?” by MarkVaughn, May 10, 2022.https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a39951439/is-it-safe- to-ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ How will we remove these dangerous cars once they are retired? What about the cost to dispose of EV batteries once they are no longer in use? These batteries cannot simply be thrown away. They are toxic to the environment and people. Hawaii is an island. So will you ship these batteries off island or store them and their toxic waste on the island? They should not be allowed here. What happens if the grid goes down? How will people charge their EV? Off Grid Living: This plan wants to work with the DOH around water catchment. Thelast thing locals want are more regulations and fines for off grid living. Not one person has died from unhealthy water catchment. This should be removed from the plan. Localsknow how to take care of themselves. That is not the government's job. Please help stop government overreach. Carbon: There is a section on the plan about reducing carbon. This should be removed. It is government overreach and will increase regulations and reduce freedom for peopleunder a false premise. The General Plan manager stated that they did research with the Federal Government, not actual weather experts and scientists. Gregg Braden is ageologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, socialpolicy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with. We arecarbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves. Source: “Gregg Braden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” areSo Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ Braden also stated in the same interview: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreasesaround 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change. “We’re being led to believethat carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true.” Climate Change: This entire section should be removed. It is absolute government overreach again on a false premise. An article at Britannica.com written by Thor ArthurHansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professor of GeologicalSciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7, 2024. The article saidthat sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges . It was not due to carbon! It was due to theEarth's mantle. Source: “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor Arthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period If you need more experts proving what they are saying in the plan is false, let me know. It is important to have experts give their opinion and not those invested in renewable energy. Rezoning: The plan will not directly rezone areas but it opens the door to rezoning in many many areas. This will change people's way of life and have a huge impact on thefuture of our keiki. What local would want that? This plan should be stopped immediately. It is not the plan that 4K locals worked on. No local would want... Their property value to be reduced To turn much of the coastland to conservation and have that impact people's propertyvalue and right to enjoy the land To have more regulations, policies and finesTo have "incentives" ie. tax increases, to force people to do what the government wants There are no sections in the plan for: Supporting people to grow more food. The needed CDP for Hilo More roads to evacuate from South Kona, Waikoloa, and PunaNo mention of the fracking that is going on here Supporting and enhancing the systems that are already here This plan does not support this island. It is a massive government overreach. Mahalo for your time. My passion is not meant to be disrespectful. I know you are volunteers and I more than appreciate what you're doing. Standing up and saying this is a no go, won't beeasy. For the future of this island and the keiki, I hope you're brave enough to do it. Mahalo Nui Loa, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Electric Vehicle Danger too Big Island General Plan Testimony About Electric Vehicles. Date:Sunday, November 24, 2024 10:45:28 AM Aloha Commissioners, Homeowner questions EV safety after fire destroys her Nocatee homehttps://youtu.be/SIpXkQhq1ps?si=GvZusjNOx7-hvNUi These cars should not be brought to Big Island. What if this happens in Waikoloa or another fire danger zone. Another Lahaina disaster! Arizona woman trapped in Tesla after battery dies https://youtu.be/zxzILnZJyfk?si=yISCaXkoVwDgIEX7 Billionaire Dies After Accidentally Backing Tesla Into Pond https://youtu.be/taWMcCs1sVg?si=rTfdocIprJ-zFdgl These cars will wreak havoc on our power grid and are dangerous to the Big Island and its residents. Recommend they be removed from the plan. Kind Regards, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 4:10 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com>wrote:Aloha Commissioners, Here is the information you need to know before recommending electric cars come to theBig Island. https://youtu.be/K5vDWhMHTwE?si=dZdYkT-zdV-QCMap It will explain What really happens when an electric car catches on fire? And does your fire department know how to put these raging infernos out? Please do not bring these cars to the island. It will be like the mongoose, fire ants, and more! 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 8:50 AM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Aloha Commissioners, If this is a plan locals have supported and they're being contacted with each new draft, as Mr. Kern stated yesterday, why hasn't one person shown up? Mr. Kern wasn't sworn in and asked to raise his right hand to swear to tell the truth. I thinkhe should be. Concerns about the plan: "Reduced Miles Traveled" should be changed to "Travel Alternatives". It's againstthe Constitution to deprive people of their right to travel. That language must be removed from the plan or you, and all those who created this plan are in violation ofyour oath of office. (No disrespect intended. That is simply the truth.) Electric Vehicles (EV): They want to put charging stations around Big Island forEV which will have more impact on the already impacted grid. How this is being considered disturbs me greatly. There are already power-shortages on the island.This would hinder it even more. Plus, as I've stated in my previous email, EV's are dangerous. Here is a quote from afirefighter. “The problem with EVs is that the lithium-ion batteries can actually propagate a fire. In fact, they can actually encourage a fire. If a fire has already started and youhave lithium-ion batteries, they can ignite a lot more vigorously compared to any other cars ,” said Captain Rahul Khanna, the Global Head of Marine Consulting at Allianz; hehas 26 years’ experience in the shipping and maritime industry and 14 years in various ranks on merchant ships. . Source: “Is It Safe To Ship Thousands Of Electric Cars On BigShips?” by Mark Vaughn, May 10, 2022.https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry- news/a39951439/is-it-safe-to-ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ How will we remove these dangerous cars once they are retired? What about the cost to dispose of EV batteries once they are no longer in use? These batteries cannot simply be thrown away. They are toxic to the environment and people. Hawaii is an island. So will you ship these batteries off island or store them and their toxic waste on the island? They should not be allowed here. What happens if the grid goes down? How will people charge their EV? Off Grid Living: This plan wants to work with the DOH around water catchment.The last thing locals want are more regulations and fines for off grid living. Not one person has died from unhealthy water catchment. This should be removed from theplan. Locals know how to take care of themselves. That is not the government's job. Please help stop government overreach. Carbon: There is a section on the plan about reducing carbon. This should be removed. It is government overreach and will increase regulations and reducefreedom for people under a false premise. The General Plan manager stated that they did research with the Federal Government, not actual weather experts andscientists. Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emergingparadigm based in science, social policy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is afalse narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves. Source: “GreggBraden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11,2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ Braden also stated in the same interview: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarcticaand Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide doesnot drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change. “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true.” Climate Change: This entire section should be removed. It is absolute government overreach again on a false premise. An article at Britannica.com written by ThorArthur Hansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professorof Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact- checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7,2024. The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges . It wasnot due to carbon! It was due to the Earth's mantle. Source: “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor ArthurHansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period If you need more experts proving what they are saying in the plan is false, let me know. Itis important to have experts give their opinion and not those invested in renewable energy. Rezoning: The plan will not directly rezone areas but it opens the door to rezoning in many many areas. This will change people's way of life and have a huge impacton the future of our keiki. What local would want that? This plan should be stopped immediately. It is not the plan that 4K locals worked on. No local would want... Their property value to be reduced To turn much of the coastland to conservation and have that impact people'sproperty value and right to enjoy the land To have more regulations, policies and fines To have "incentives" ie. tax increases, to force people to do what the governmentwants There are no sections in the plan for: Supporting people to grow more food. The needed CDP for HiloMore roads to evacuate from South Kona, Waikoloa, and Puna No mention of the fracking that is going on here Supporting and enhancing the systems that are already here This plan does not support this island. It is a massive government overreach. Mahalo for your time. My passion is not meant to be disrespectful. I know you arevolunteers and I more than appreciate what you're doing. Standing up and saying this is a no go, won't be easy. For the future of this island and the keiki, I hope you're braveenough to do it. Mahalo Nui Loa, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Testimony About Hawaiian Land Date:Sunday, November 24, 2024 1:09:00 PM Aloha Commissioners, Hawaii House Minority Leader Representative Diamond Garcia said, "The Homeland Commission Act was passed in 1920 by Republican Congressman Prince Kuhio, and put intolaw in 1921. It was set to have 208,000 acres of Hawaii land for native Hawaiians." Why does the State want to take more land from the people instead of honouring this law and give land back to Hawaiian natives? This plan will not support Big Island or her people. You do not have to go through the motions and move it forward. There are so many thingswrong with it. You can stop it. 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 4:10 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com>wrote:Aloha Commissioners, Here is the information you need to know before recommending electric cars come to theBig Island. https://youtu.be/K5vDWhMHTwE?si=dZdYkT-zdV-QCMap It will explain What really happens when an electric car catches on fire? And does your fire department know how to put these raging infernos out? Please do not bring these cars to the island. It will be like the mongoose, fire ants, and more! 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 8:50 AM Michelle Melendez<michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Aloha Commissioners, If this is a plan locals have supported and they're being contacted with each new draft, asMr. Kern stated yesterday, why hasn't one person shown up? Mr. Kern wasn't sworn in and asked to raise his right hand to swear to tell the truth. I thinkhe should be. Concerns about the plan: "Reduced Miles Traveled" should be changed to "Travel Alternatives". It's againstthe Constitution to deprive people of their right to travel. That language must beremoved from the plan or you, and all those who created this plan are in violation ofyour oath of office. (No disrespect intended. That is simply the truth.) Electric Vehicles (EV): They want to put charging stations around Big Island forEV which will have more impact on the already impacted grid. How this is beingconsidered disturbs me greatly. There are already power-shortages on the island.This would hinder it even more. Plus, as I've stated in my previous email, EV's are dangerous. Here is a quote from afirefighter. “The problem with EVs is that the lithium-ion batteries can actually propagatea fire. In fact, they can actually encourage a fire. If a fire has already started and youhave lithium-ion batteries, they can ignite a lot more vigorously compared to any othercars ,” said Captain Rahul Khanna, the Global Head of Marine Consulting at Allianz; hehas 26 years’ experience in the shipping and maritime industry and 14 years in variousranks on merchant ships. . Source: “Is It Safe To Ship Thousands Of Electric Cars On BigShips?” by Mark Vaughn, May 10, 2022.https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a39951439/is-it-safe-to-ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ How will we remove these dangerous cars once they are retired? What about the cost to dispose of EV batteries once they are no longer in use? These batteries cannot simply be thrown away. They are toxic to the environment and people. Hawaii is an island. So will you ship these batteries off island or store them and their toxic waste on the island? They should not be allowed here. What happens if the grid goes down? How will people charge their EV? Off Grid Living: This plan wants to work with the DOH around water catchment.The last thing locals want are more regulations and fines for off grid living. Not oneperson has died from unhealthy water catchment. This should be removed from theplan. Locals know how to take care of themselves. That is not the government's job.Please help stop government overreach. Carbon: There is a section on the plan about reducing carbon. This should beremoved. It is government overreach and will increase regulations and reducefreedom for people under a false premise. The General Plan manager stated that they did research with the Federal Government, not actual weather experts andscientists. Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emergingparadigm based in science, social policy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is afalse narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves. Source: “GreggBraden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11,2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ Braden also stated in the same interview: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarcticaand Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide doesnot drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change. “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true.” Climate Change: This entire section should be removed. It is absolute government overreach again on a false premise. An article at Britannica.com written by ThorArthur Hansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professorof Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact- checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7,2024. The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges . It wasnot due to carbon! It was due to the Earth's mantle. Source: “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor ArthurHansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period If you need more experts proving what they are saying in the plan is false, let me know. Itis important to have experts give their opinion and not those invested in renewable energy. Rezoning: The plan will not directly rezone areas but it opens the door to rezoning in many many areas. This will change people's way of life and have a huge impacton the future of our keiki. What local would want that? This plan should be stopped immediately. It is not the plan that 4K locals worked on. No local would want... Their property value to be reduced To turn much of the coastland to conservation and have that impact people'sproperty value and right to enjoy the land To have more regulations, policies and finesTo have "incentives" ie. tax increases, to force people to do what the government wants There are no sections in the plan for: Supporting people to grow more food. The needed CDP for Hilo More roads to evacuate from South Kona, Waikoloa, and PunaNo mention of the fracking that is going on here Supporting and enhancing the systems that are already here This plan does not support this island. It is a massive government overreach. Mahalo for your time. My passion is not meant to be disrespectful. I know you are volunteers and I more than appreciate what you're doing. Standing up and saying this is ano go, won't be easy. For the future of this island and the keiki, I hope you're brave enough to do it. Mahalo Nui Loa, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General Plan: Question About Your Comments After Testimonies Date:Sunday, November 24, 2024 4:23:08 PM Aloha Commissioners, I heard that you changed "Stakeholders" to "Interested Parties". That was not the issue. Even though the word "Stakeholder" should be changed, the issue is the definition. It reads as if anyonein the entire world can influence the Big Island GP. That is the problem we have. Change the definitionalong with the name. It would be better to change it to "Local Communities". The definition could be: All local communitiesincluding homeowners, farmers, Big Island investors, renters, business owners. I sent you an email about this earlier with the complete definition. I'd be very grateful if you usedthat. Local Communities are who should have the most influence on our GP, not just anyone. ----------------------------Agenda 21 is not in the plan. We were talking about the fact that this GP 2045 is modeled like the UNAgenda 21 plan. This is not good. You will understand more if you watch Rosa Koire, who went around the nation speaking to CountyCouncils. She was a 30 year director of transportation for the State of California and an expert witnesson Eminent Domain. https://youtu.be/o8-bcAwc28s?si=inEsFE-ZYs2k86hk The video above will let you know why we are all very concerned about this plan. It would be greatlyappreciated if you watched it. Even if it's only 10 minutes. ---------------------------- Page 32: Environmental Protection should be changed to Environmental Stewardship. Protectionimplies more rules and regulations and "incentives" i.e. higher taxes if people don't comply. Not okay. We need to grow more food and be stewards of the land so Big Island is more self-sufficient and notreduce the use of available land to grow more food on. Here is an amazing Ag Village plan that should absolutely be in the 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 -------------------------------- Lastly, page 32 "Social & Cultural Equity" should change to "Thriving Communities". The word"Equity" opens the door to more rules and regulations. It means fairness. Who gets to decidewhat is fair? I think we've all had enough of the models of "fairness" in the world that are separatingpeople. Make it "Thriving Communities" and instead of focusing on what is fair, let's focus on how ourcommunities can thrive together. -------------------------------- I really appreciate you all making an effort to understand what we are talking about. This plan will set up the future of our island. We must get it right for future generations to thrive andbe happy. Mahalo for your amazing diligence, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sun, Nov 24, 2024 at 1:08 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Aloha Commissioners, Hawaii House Minority Leader Representative Diamond Garcia said, "The Homeland CommissionAct was passed in 1920 by Republican Congressman Prince Kuhio, and put into law in 1921. It wasset to have 208,000 acres of Hawaii land for native Hawaiians." Why does the State want to take more land from the people instead of honouring this law and giveland back to Hawaiian natives? This plan will not support Big Island or her people. You do not have to go through the motions and move it forward. There are so many things wrongwith it. You can stop it. 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 4:10 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Aloha Commissioners, Here is the information you need to know before recommending electric cars come to the BigIsland. https://youtu.be/K5vDWhMHTwE?si=dZdYkT-zdV-QCMap It will explain What really happens when an electric car catches on fire? And does your fire department know how to put these raging infernos out? Please do not bring these cars to the island. It will be like the mongoose, fire ants, and more! 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 8:50 AM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com>wrote:Aloha Commissioners, If this is a plan locals have supported and they're being contacted with each new draft, as Mr.Kern stated yesterday, why hasn't one person shown up? Mr. Kern wasn't sworn in and asked to raise his right hand to swear to tell the truth. I think heshould be. Concerns about the plan: "Reduced Miles Traveled" should be changed to "Travel Alternatives". It's against theConstitution to deprive people of their right to travel. That language must be removed fromthe plan or you, and all those who created this plan are in violation of your oath of office.(No disrespect intended. That is simply the truth.) Electric Vehicles (EV): They want to put charging stations around Big Island for EVwhich will have more impact on the already impacted grid. How this is being considereddisturbs me greatly. There are already power-shortages on the island. This would hinder iteven more. Plus, as I've stated in my previous email, EV's are dangerous. Here is a quote from afirefighter. “The problem with EVs is that the lithium-ion batteries can actually propagate a fire.In fact, they can actually encourage a fire. If a fire has already started and you have lithium-ionbatteries, they can ignite a lot more vigorously compared to any other cars ,” said Captain RahulKhanna, the Global Head of Marine Consulting at Allianz; he has 26 years’ experience in theshipping and maritime industry and 14 years in various ranks on merchant ships. . Source: “Is ItSafe To Ship Thousands Of Electric Cars On Big Ships?” by Mark Vaughn, May 10,2022.https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a39951439/is-it-safe-to-ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ How will we remove these dangerous cars once they are retired? What about the cost to dispose of EV batteries once they are no longer in use? These batteries cannot simply be thrown away. They are toxic to the environment and people. Hawaii is an island. So will you ship these batteries off island or store them and their toxic waste on the island? They should not be allowed here. What happens if the grid goes down? How will people charge their EV? Off Grid Living: This plan wants to work with the DOH around water catchment. The lastthing locals want are more regulations and fines for off grid living. Not one person has diedfrom unhealthy water catchment. This should be removed from the plan. Locals know howto take care of themselves. That is not the government's job. Please help stop governmentoverreach. Carbon: There is a section on the plan about reducing carbon. This should be removed. Itis government overreach and will increase regulations and reduce freedom for people undera false premise. The General Plan manager stated that they did research with the FederalGovernment, not actual weather experts and scientists. Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renownedas a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy, and human potential,had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is apoison is a false narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizingcarbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves. Source: “GreggBraden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide onOUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ Braden also stated in the same interview: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica andGreenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide does not drive thechange; it is the response to the temperature change. “We’re being led to believe that carbonlevels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true.” Climate Change: This entire section should be removed. It is absolute governmentoverreach again on a false premise. An article at Britannica.com written by Thor ArthurHansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at WesternWashington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professor of Geological Sciences at OldDominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact-checked by The Editors ofEncyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7, 2024. The article said that sea levelwas higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by theenlargement of mid-oceanic ridges . It was not due to carbon! It was due to the Earth'smantle. Source: “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor ArthurHansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period If you need more experts proving what they are saying in the plan is false, let me know. It isimportant to have experts give their opinion and not those invested in renewable energy. Rezoning: The plan will not directly rezone areas but it opens the door to rezoning in manymany areas. This will change people's way of life and have a huge impact on the future ofour keiki. What local would want that? This plan should be stopped immediately. It is not the plan that 4K locals worked on. No local would want... Their property value to be reducedTo turn much of the coastland to conservation and have that impact people's property valueand right to enjoy the landTo have more regulations, policies and finesTo have "incentives" ie. tax increases, to force people to do what the government wants There are no sections in the plan for: Supporting people to grow more food. The needed CDP for HiloMore roads to evacuate from South Kona, Waikoloa, and PunaNo mention of the fracking that is going on here Supporting and enhancing the systems that are already here This plan does not support this island. It is a massive government overreach. Mahalo for your time. My passion is not meant to be disrespectful. I know you are volunteers andI more than appreciate what you're doing. Standing up and saying this is a no go, won't be easy.For the future of this island and the keiki, I hope you're brave enough to do it. Mahalo Nui Loa, 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:GP 2045 Commissioner Rodiguez"s question Date:Sunday, November 24, 2024 11:17:59 AM Aloha Commissioners, Commissioner Rodiguez asked if "Climate Change" could be changed to "Pollution to get more people on board" with the plan. You can't just change a word and keep all the regulations and policies in the plan. That provesthe reason for the regulations is false. I have sent you numerous experts from around the world that state there is no climate danger. Even a judge in Great Britain. What evidence has the Planning Department shown thatthere is climate danger? None. Is Hilo or Kona underwater or have any indication that it is a threat? No. Their "Climate Change" narrative is a theory with no evidence. The entire section on "ClimateChange" must be taken out. Look at the plan. Look at all the regulations and policies and rezoning language. Look at how the land use, and many other areas in the plan will take private property for "conservation". Isthat what the Big Island needs? People are stewards of the land. They shouldn't be kicked off it. We should be growing food, not conserving land. I appreciate that a Commissioner wants people to be on board with the plan. However, we willnever be on board with a plan that wants to regulate us to death, take private property, and has so much government overreach that our keiki will not be able to own land or live free if thisplan moves forward. That is not over exaggerating. It is the truth. This plan was not created by locals.There is no way locals would have wanted any of this. The things that are important to the people are not included in the plan at all. It should not moveforward. With Respect, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 4:10 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com>wrote:Aloha Commissioners, Here is the information you need to know before recommending electric cars come to theBig Island. https://youtu.be/K5vDWhMHTwE?si=dZdYkT-zdV-QCMap It will explain What really happens when an electric car catches on fire? And does your fire department know how to put these raging infernos out? Please do not bring these cars to the island. It will be like the mongoose, fire ants, and more! 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 8:50 AM Michelle Melendez<michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Aloha Commissioners, If this is a plan locals have supported and they're being contacted with each new draft, asMr. Kern stated yesterday, why hasn't one person shown up? Mr. Kern wasn't sworn in and asked to raise his right hand to swear to tell the truth. I thinkhe should be. Concerns about the plan: "Reduced Miles Traveled" should be changed to "Travel Alternatives". It's againstthe Constitution to deprive people of their right to travel. That language must beremoved from the plan or you, and all those who created this plan are in violation ofyour oath of office. (No disrespect intended. That is simply the truth.) Electric Vehicles (EV): They want to put charging stations around Big Island forEV which will have more impact on the already impacted grid. How this is beingconsidered disturbs me greatly. There are already power-shortages on the island.This would hinder it even more. Plus, as I've stated in my previous email, EV's are dangerous. Here is a quote from afirefighter. “The problem with EVs is that the lithium-ion batteries can actually propagatea fire. In fact, they can actually encourage a fire. If a fire has already started and youhave lithium-ion batteries, they can ignite a lot more vigorously compared to any othercars ,” said Captain Rahul Khanna, the Global Head of Marine Consulting at Allianz; hehas 26 years’ experience in the shipping and maritime industry and 14 years in variousranks on merchant ships. . Source: “Is It Safe To Ship Thousands Of Electric Cars On BigShips?” by Mark Vaughn, May 10, 2022.https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a39951439/is-it-safe-to-ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ How will we remove these dangerous cars once they are retired? What about the cost to dispose of EV batteries once they are no longer in use? These batteries cannot simply be thrown away. They are toxic to the environment and people. Hawaii is an island. So will you ship these batteries off island or store them and their toxic waste on the island? They should not be allowed here. What happens if the grid goes down? How will people charge their EV? Off Grid Living: This plan wants to work with the DOH around water catchment.The last thing locals want are more regulations and fines for off grid living. Not one person has died from unhealthy water catchment. This should be removed from theplan. Locals know how to take care of themselves. That is not the government's job. Please help stop government overreach. Carbon: There is a section on the plan about reducing carbon. This should be removed. It is government overreach and will increase regulations and reducefreedom for people under a false premise. The General Plan manager stated that they did research with the Federal Government, not actual weather experts andscientists. Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emergingparadigm based in science, social policy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is afalse narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves. Source: “GreggBraden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11,2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ Braden also stated in the same interview: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarcticaand Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide doesnot drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change. “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true.” Climate Change: This entire section should be removed. It is absolute government overreach again on a false premise. An article at Britannica.com written by ThorArthur Hansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professorof Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact- checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7,2024. The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges . It wasnot due to carbon! It was due to the Earth's mantle. Source: “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor ArthurHansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period If you need more experts proving what they are saying in the plan is false, let me know. Itis important to have experts give their opinion and not those invested in renewable energy. Rezoning: The plan will not directly rezone areas but it opens the door to rezoning in many many areas. This will change people's way of life and have a huge impacton the future of our keiki. What local would want that? This plan should be stopped immediately. It is not the plan that 4K locals worked on. No local would want... Their property value to be reduced To turn much of the coastland to conservation and have that impact people'sproperty value and right to enjoy the land To have more regulations, policies and finesTo have "incentives" ie. tax increases, to force people to do what the government wants There are no sections in the plan for: Supporting people to grow more food. The needed CDP for Hilo More roads to evacuate from South Kona, Waikoloa, and PunaNo mention of the fracking that is going on here Supporting and enhancing the systems that are already here This plan does not support this island. It is a massive government overreach. Mahalo for your time. My passion is not meant to be disrespectful. I know you are volunteers and I more than appreciate what you're doing. Standing up and saying this is ano go, won't be easy. For the future of this island and the keiki, I hope you're brave enough to do it. Mahalo Nui Loa, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Rebecca Melendez To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Opposing Testimony Date:Monday, November 25, 2024 7:41:54 PM Dear Council Members, I ask you to please sincerely look at and ask why the Hawai'i Planning Department is changing Land Titles all over the Big Island in their General Plan because this will affect the peoplewho own these lands and their families' futures, as well please look for high-end developers Land Title changes from agriculture to urban because this will cause serious issues on the BigIsland and high-end developers land titles should NOT be changed in a General Plan. The Big Island has a lot of resource issues and high-end developer's land should NOT have their Land Titles changed in the General Plan. Here are a few resource News Articles that prove my point about Big Island resources: Hawaiian Electric Customers On Big Island Urged To Conserve Power - Honolulu Civil Beat Microsoft Word - Unit Blueprint - Hawaii's Freshwater Ecosystems.doc Here is a petition that will give you more information on Big Island resources with 530signatures asking for no more developments because the island's resources need to be addressed Petition · Help Big Island Resources and Infrastructure Stay Safe For ALL WhoLive Here and Visit - United States · Change.org This General Plan is extremely vague at times and it could mean more than one thing in many different areas. They need to make this plan extremely clear for all of us to understand theirtrue intentions. This General Plan's map is very challenging to understand, and CANNOT be understood by the average resident. They need a map that will show simple photos of what they want tochange and why, with who made all these changes and where is their research on why these changes are a goodidea. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f073ef273f054cea97b12bf658def023/page/Land- Use/ Why are they not using any of the past General Plan's? This is a good question to ask to learnwhy they want to completely change Big Island. I was sent this information. Please watch for this kind of information in their General Plan. I just saw the new plans for Kona by SmartCode which was published by New Urban Publications Inc. A guide line used for other communities. Basically expect more apartment buildings, smaller communities within walking distance to transits. Also more lower income apartments instead of houses. The Civic center that will be built will stand out above all other buildings. It will be the gathering place for communities. Skimming through these plans I see no need for vehicles, churches or homes. 1.3.3 Block and Building- f.ThatCIVIC BUILDINGS and public gathering places be provided as locations that reinforce community identity and support self-government. g.ThatCIVIC BUILDINGS be distinctive and appropriate to a role more important than the other buildings that constitute fabric of village. Kind of reminds me of hunger games and a 15min city combined. PLEASE STAND AND STOP THIS GENERAL PLAN FROM CREATING ACOMPLETELY DIFFERENT KIND OF COMMUNITY ON THE ISLAND THAT WILL FAVOR HIGH-END DEVELOPERS. PLEASE KEEP THE BIG ISLAND'S LAND ANDCOMMUNITY SAFE FOR ALL WHO LIVE HERE. PLEASE PROTECT PERSONAL PRIVATE LANDS FROM LAND USE TITLE CHANGES AND OTHER CHANGESSTATED IN THIS PLAN THAT WILL AFFECT THEIR LAND FOREVER. Thank you for hearing our voices. Sincerely, Rebecca Melendez P.S. Please watch for the above issues in this General Plan because the Hawai'i Planning DirectorZendo Kern is NOT for the preservation of the land, is NOT for community voices, is NOT for the protection of marine life and island resources, and IS for high-end developers: Hundreds Of Hawaii Island Residents Protest Proposed Housing Project In Punaluu -Honolulu Civil Beat and the Hawai'i Planning Director didn't listen to community voices and favored this developer. petition: All Who Oppose the Resort in Punaluʻu Ka'ū This petition has almost 19,000signatures trying to SAVE Punalu'u from development and still Zendo Kern gave the "green light" for this development. Polluted runoff in Hawaii endangers green sea turtlesChemservice News This article waswritten 10 years ago saying harmful pollution has come from developments and Zendo Kern still favored high-end developments for years after. New Directors of Housing, Planning In Hawai‘i County Tied to Developers Conflict of interest? Kern signs off on approval of project he represented as a planningconsultant - West Hawaii Today From:ascendingstarseed To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Saturday, November 30, 2024 12:24:12 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do mostexperts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against ClimateDanger Click Here! The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyonein the entire world can have input on this plan. Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities 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 personallyaffected by projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effective local communityengagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative,as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 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 onpage 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their landuse will be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This willdrastically lower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is notpono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is notokay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to befurther researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climatedanger. Here is the pdf showing the scientist and what country they are from.https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the firstweather man for Good Morning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has goneon CNN and other media outlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reasonfor this narrative is the investors, in renewable energy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Planmove forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and,when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources.""Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this planreferring too because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say theyare 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 theexact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed forBig Island! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, aresident 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.pd Papaikou Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Annette O'Toole From:L Pasco To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Ken; Michelle Melendez Subject:response to Hawaii County General Plan 2045 Date:Sunday, December 1, 2024 11:15:46 AM Attachments:The County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 needs to be rewritten 2.pages Importance:High Hawaii County Planning Commissioners - The County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 needs to be trashed and rewritten. This general plan 2045 is full of double-speak, in the guise of politically-correct jargon. It proposes to give powers to the County and State governments that will destroy our constitutional republic. The General Plan 2045 severely abridges the right of personal liberty which our constitution so preciously, and jealously guards for the people, and for posterity. You, who are putting the words together in this planning document, callously override the most important value and spirit of our republic, that of liberty, without a word of discussion or dissent about these abridgements. The destruction of personal liberty may appear to be justified under our present, manmade climate-fear mainstream narrative, but what are the actual facts that prove the existence of a manmade climate catastrophe which you are using to allow for the possible abridging of the people’s rights? Certainly the sea level rise problem has not happened, as Liliuokalani Park in Hilo is still not inundated after 100 years. What other errors, distortions, and lies have been pushed as real facts? Are you certain that there are no other scientists with opposing facts and information? Are you working with facts or are you working with politicized ideologies? Where is your due diligence? These is your responsibility. Ignorance has no place in scientific inquiry. To ignore any fact-based and reasoned presentation of contrary information is ignorance. Making policy decisions based on these one-sided, unscientific and politicized ideologies is the ruin of honest government and in our case the destruction of our constitutional republic. The ramifications of proceeding with this commission’s approval of General Plan 2045 and its proveably unscientific reasoning will result in a future where only the wealthy will own businesses, and property, and homes. The liberties and rights of the people, presently guaranteed protection by our constitution, will be eliminated. You and your progeny will curse this document that you expect the County Council to ratify and make into a legally referenced guide for the future. You and your families will have to live with the unconstituional overreach and tyranical abuse that the hypnotic language of this plan would allow. The people will own nothing but will not be happy! Aloha ,Loretta Pasco From:Brandon Spencer To:WPCtestimony Subject:Windward Planning Commission Special General Plan Meeting Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 7:54:31 PM Attachments:Signed Orchid Manor AOAO Letterhead - to Planning Dept re Park Area.pdf Please let this letter serve as my testimony noting a fraction of issues that we currently face due to the “Park” area. Thank youBrandon Spencer Thank youBrandon Spencer B.E.S.T. Solutions Hawaii inc. Orchid Manor AOAO 355 Kalanianaole Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 To: Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission County of Hawaii Planning Department My name is Brandon Spencer, my wife and I currently own four of the 89 residential units in Orchid Manor located at 355 Kalanianaole Street, #200, Hilo, HI 96720. I am also the president of the Board of Directors for the condo association. I am writing this letter to illustrate some of the problems that we experience due to the public space located along the water behind our building. • Homeless will camp in this location since it is hidden from the street and any homes that may complain. • Drugs are sold and used in this location • Trash and debris are brought to this location by the homeless creating sanitation issues. • Potential fire risk from use of open flames by irresponsible people using drugs. • Law enforcement doesn’t patrol or control any activity in this area leading to unsafe and uncomfortable situations for the residents of Orchid manor who are mostly over 70 years old. • The only area of this “park” that is maintained in anyway has been done so at the expense of orchid Manor for decades. • The areas that the Homeless have claimed are nests and breeding grounds for rats and feral cats which they feed. • Orchid Manor has had many issues with stolen or abandoned vehicles in our parking area, vandalism, aggressive altercations with tenants, and police activity due to the vagrants being attracted to the “park”. • Bolstering or expanding a park in this commercial area would not be beneficial to anyone who didn’t live in orchid Manor. Since the residents of Orchid manor currently have numerous problems because of this space none of the residents want to see it expanded offering a waterfront highway for homeless, drugs and crime hidden from street view. • Keaukaha is a beautiful area with plenty of space for all that want to enjoy it adding a strip of park space in this location would simply be a further drain on county resources with NO benefit to Hilo residents or even tourists. We at Orchid Manor sincerely hope that you consider the importance of our personal comfort and safety in our homes above the convenience of a Homeless Highway in our backyard. Thank you. Brandon Spencer Board President Orchid Manor Condo Association From:Eileen Downing To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 11:42:31 AM Attachments:Big Island General Plan 2045 Testimony .pdf Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against ClimateDanger Click Here! The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone inthe 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 personallyaffected 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. 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. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their landuse 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. 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.https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for Good Morning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has goneon 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Planmove forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 private property? Again with "protection of naturalresources". This plan should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! 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, aresident 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 Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Respectfully, Eileen Downing Legend: ●Black:Directly out of General Plan ●Red:Edit ●Yellow Highlighted is requesting text to be Removed ●Pink Highlighted is a Concern/Comments Page:27 Implementation Strategies “Zoning &Land Use Regulations Update regulations to align with the goals of the General Plan.” Please change to:“Update regulations”to “align with the goals of local Communities and the General Plan.” “Public-Private Partnerships Collaborate with private entities and homeowners to achieve mutual development and conservation objectives.” CONCERN:The word “Homeowner”is not written anywhere in the entire plan.That is VERY concerning.Why are you leaving homeowners out of the general plan that will affect them and their future generations?Please include “homeowner”wherever “stakeholder”is and where suggested in this document.Also,please be clear about who these private entities are that you want to collaborate with so this is more transparent. “Community Engagement Continuously engage residents and stakeholders in the decision- making process.” CONCERN:The community deserves to know who “Stakeholders”are and EXACTLY what they have stake in.Please define. Page:28 1.1 The purposes of the General Plan are to: ●Provide the framework for regulatory decisions,capital improvement priorities,acquisition strategies,and other pertinent government programs within the County organization and coordinated with State and Federal programs. This sounds like you want to take people’s property through acquisition and regulate the heck out of locals. Please change to the following:Provide framework that supports local farmers and communities without further regulations,capital improvement priorities,and other pertinent local and government programs within the County organization and coordinate with State and Federal programs to support thriving communities. ●“Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole.” Please change to the following:““Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole without violating personal freedoms,the Constitution or further regulating the public.” ●“Effect political and technical coordination in community improvement and development.” CONCERN:This sounds like you will bring politics into community living.That is not pono. Please change to:“Effect strategies that support community improvements and development for locals.” “The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies,planning commissions,elected officials,landowners,developers,and citizens to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi.” Please change to:The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions,elected officials,landowners,homeowners,developers,and locals to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi. Please add:(a)The general plan shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential,recreational,agricultural,commercial,industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources without violating personal rights and freedoms,and supporting local communities to prosper,and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites,while still giving access to the public;the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county (Remove) (b)The council shall enact zoning,subdivision,and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to support thriving communities,farmers and homeowners.The way it is currently written describes zoning people out of their homes with more regulations and fines. Page 29: (d)Amendments to the general plan may be initiated by the council or the planning director giving adequate notice to the public for needed testimony. Page 32: CONCERN WITH THE THREE CIRCLE “SUSTAINABILITY”DIAGRAM:The words: Sustainability and Equity are part of a political woke vocabulary and should not be in the Hawaii General Plan.Also,“Social and Culture Equity”should be removed.It is not the responsibility of the planning department to control the behavior of people.That again is a “woke”agenda.Nor does this language reflect a thriving community.“Environmental Protection”gives the impression of more regulations and a reduction of people’s rights.Please remove it. Instead call it:INNOVATION with these 3 circles:Economic Alternatives,Environmental Support,Thriving Communities The goal of the planning department should be to create an environment of prosperity and not one of over regulation and constraints on locals.We can do those through new innovations and not sustainability.Sustainability moves Big Island backwards not forward! 1.4 Innovation Principles and Practices CONCERN:Big Island needs to move toward free energy,which is available and not more regulations on what we have. Change:Integrating innovation into the General Plan is crucial for fostering long-term resilience and thriving communities. Change:“This includes increasing the effectiveness of new technologies to support local communities,improving coordination among various agencies and levels of government,and finding new and innovative ways to support our natural and cultural resources.for better development that supports a thriving environment,economic alternatives (sharing without taxes, trading without regulation),and flourishing communities.The General Plan recognizes this need and aligns with the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan1,which sets a strategic framework for achieving a sustainable future.By embedding sustainability principles into its core,this Plan sets forth a cohesive and forward-thinking strategy that addresses key challenges and anticipates future needs.”Please remove what is highlighted! CONCERN:By using the word “Sustainable”you are not supporting Hawaii to move forward. You are creating more control of the environment,and communities.That is not Pono and violates the HS [§5-7.5]"Aloha Spirit":"Aloha"means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.If the planning department creates a general plan that adds more regulations and constraints on locals,they violate the Aloha Spirit law. The Hawaiʻi 2050 Innovation Plan “created the State’s first definition of sustainability”(remove): A Hawaiʻi that achieves the following: 1.Respects the culture,character,beauty,and history of our state’s island communities; 2.Support a thriving community both socially and economically as we support our environment to heal and prosper;and 3.Meets the needs of the present without violating freedoms or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Page 33: In the diagram: “Regulatory Measures” ●County Code ●Administrative Rules ●Permits This shows that this general plan will increase restrictions and fees on farmers and other locals. This is not Pono.The plan should reflect innovation not constraints against the population. Please change to CHANGE TO: “Innovation Practices” ●Implement new resources ●Administration support ●Economic Alternatives Remove “permits”.Stop trying to permit the population to death! CURRENTLY:The Plan also incorporates guidelines to serve as strategic directions and standards to inform decisions regarding topics such as land use,infrastructure,housing,and resource management.These guidelines help to ensure consistency in planning and implementation,promoting sustainable growth,environmental stewardship,and community well-being.(This is a complete overreach of the government.You cannot tell people what to do with their property!It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to ensure people’s well-being!This should be revised to support environment,innovations,and thriving communities.) •Vision:The ability to plan for the future with creativity and innovation in support of thriving communities. •Goal:To see Hawaii Island become self-sustaining as communities and the environment prosper •Objective:Measurable,achievable,and time-bound milestones toward achieving a goal. •Guideline:A stated course of action that shall take precedence when addressing areas of concern and should be followed,unless a determination is made that it is not the most desirable in a particular case;thus,a guideline may be deviated from without penalty or sanction as long2 as it supports thriving communities,economic alternatives and supporting the environment. Page 34 Regulatory Implementing Actions (Locals DO NOT need more regulations and hoops to jump through.That will not support thriving communities.) Regulatory implementing actions are one of two types of approaches used in the General Plan to pursue the vision,goals,and objectives.Regulatory actions are controlling in that they define boundaries,development parameters,and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. The three regulatory implementing actions in the Plan include: Please change the last paragraph to: Work with local communities to pursue the vision,goals,and objectives.Find fair and supportive directions to define boundaries,development parameters,and measures intended to implement goals or objectives.Three actions in the Plan include: ●General Plan Land Use Map:A map that graphically delineates the areas of intended future land use types that support thriving communities and environmental support and do not hinder personal freedoms. ●Policy:A general rule for action focused on a specific issue,derived from more general goals3 that also support thriving communities and supporting the environment. •Standard:A supportive measure that defines the meaning,quality,or quantity of a policy by providing a way to measure its attainment. In the General Plan,future land use maps,policies,and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances,subdivisions,and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted through innovations and are flexible to support thriving communities. “because,as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter,Section 3-15.”Remove!The word “conform”is concerning.We are not in Communist China.Please revise to support thriving communities. Non-regulatory implementing actions typically involve community engagement,education and outreach,partnership development,and resource allocation to encourage support from the community (remove “compliance")and proactive efforts.This approach allows for flexibility and innovation in achieving the Plan’s vision. Throughout the General Plan,the objectives and policies are followed by a set of implementing actions.There are three types: Add:Community Support:Taking testimony and revisions from the community seriously and implementing where possible. Page 35: 1.6 Grounded Vision and Goals As we navigate our future,maintaining a balance between economic alternatives,environmental support,and thriving communities is paramount. By integrating those established values and principles,the General Plan ensures continuity and reflects the collective vision of Hawaiʻi Island residents,guiding new innovation developments while honoring our unique cultural and environmental heritage. The four primary chapters of the Plan encompass the innovation pillars of environment, community,and economy,as outlined in the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act Goals. General Plan Vision Statement Hawaiʻi Island is an exemplary leader with healthy and resilient communities that are built by innovative developments,a thriving and diversified local economy,and collaborative biocultural stewardship with locals. General Plan Chapter Goal Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed,preserved,and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment and use innovative techniques if and when appropriate to support future growth. Addressing Climate Change for Island-Wide Health CONCERN:Please realize there is no climate change emergency.1944 credentialed scientists from around the world have signed a “No Climate Change Emergency Declaration”.You can find it here: https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ Humans have less than 1%affect on climate. Please do your own research on this. Ensure the science is followed and investigate credentialed scientists and the Milankovitch cycles of which both have shown the earth is cooling.Since humans have less than 1%impact on climate,start supporting ways that we can maintain a healthy island by incorporating policies, programs,infrastructure,and decision-making that support the environment and thriving communities.And NOT policies that take away more freedoms and regulate locals to death! Hawaii Island will not believe in false narratives with political agendas. Innovative Development &Thriving We strategically apply innovative land use Communities It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to manage the health and safety of communities.That is an overreach of the government! strategies incorporating indigenous and contemporary knowledge and place-based practices to direct and manage growth for thriving communities. Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient,and comfortable movement of people and goods. Our communities are adequately served by innovation and efficient public infrastructure, utilities,and services based on existing and future growth needs,sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Our communities are thriving and supported and have access to integrative health, education,and social services to support a high quality of life for all residents. Residents have access to adequate (change to:comfortable)and affordable housing to meet the needs of the population and provide equitable (remove)opportunities for household flexibility and mobility. We employ integrated systems that are efficient,equitable (remove),fair,and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Thriving,Diversified,Competitive with Economic Alternatives Our economy is competitive,innovative,and supportive.It helps our communities thrive and increases local economic opportunities. Agriculture is a robust sector that supports local farmers and includes a broad range of agricultural-based businesses that highlight value,organic and good health practices. A high quality of life for locals is maintained when a supportive visitor industry balances economic growth with natural and cultural responsibility. Page:38 2.1 Introduction Collaborative biocultural (remove)stewardship is an approach to innovation development that emphasizes collaboration and partnership building among stakeholders (Who are they and what do they have stake in?),and homeowners and integrates natural and cultural resource management strategies to promote thriving communities.conservation,sustainability,and resilience (remove). Cooperative efforts aimed at achieving innovative development sustainable management (remove)of ecological systems are crucial for protecting our natural and built environments. Land use planning and management should be holistic,inclusive (remove),and adaptive to reflect thriving communities values,knowledge,and aspirations (remove).The General Plan provides key strategies to achieve biocultural (remove)supportive stewardship,including community engagement,partnership building,collaborative decision-making,and collective action. Environmental and social systems are complex and dynamic.These systems will require adaptive management and continuous learning as we navigate the future.The policies presented in this section seek to foster partnerships that are based on mutual respect,trust,and shared values.The community engagement process must be inclusive to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge systems into conservation and development strategies.Following such practices can promote the co-creation of knowledge,the sharing of resources,and the empowerment of communities.By leveraging the strengths and resources of different stakeholders REMOVE (Who are they and what do they have stake in?),and homeowners we can enhance the capacity of communities to manage natural and cultural resources sustainably (remove).We can also facilitate the creation of new networks and alliances,promoting social cohesion and resilience.Ultimately,the collaborative biocultural stewardship approach can foster a more integrated,inclusive,and equitable approach to conservation and development that reflects the aspirations and needs of local communities.(REMOVE THIS IS LANGUAGE IT IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FREEDOMS INCREASE GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDER OVERREACH AND BRING IN MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL) CHANGE TO:We can also facilitate the creation of new innovative programs that support and reflect the aspirations of thriving local communities. This fundamental element of the Plan strives to cultivate a sense of place and connection to the environment and recognizes that the management of natural and cultural resources requires the participation of local communities,government,homeowners and other agencies diverse actors,including communities,governments,non-governmental organizations,and private sector entities.By promoting collaborative decision-making and collective action,we can enhance the effectiveness,equity,and legitimacy of conservation and development and innovative policies.By promoting community-based conservation and restoration strategies,we can enhance ecological integrity,promote biodiversity,and preserve cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.(Redundant Remove)Biocultural stewardship acknowledges the role of cultural diversity in shaping environmental perceptions,attitudes,and behaviors (Remove.People do not want to be manipulated).[It recognizes that cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to maintaining ecosystem services and biological diversity.] (remove) Change to:Cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to supporting the growth of thriving communities that wish to improve their environment. Page 39: Table 1:Biocultural (change to Land)Stewardship Challenges The word “Bioculture”is reflective of both biological and cultural factors that affect human behavior.Locals do not want the planning department to affect our behavior.Your job is to support the land,environment,and thriving communities. Native Habitat •Hawaiʻi has been known as the extinction capital of the world. •Climate change and sea level rise pose threats to existing habitats for native flora and fauna. REMOVE (Again,according to 1944 credential scientists from around the world,there is no climate danger.This is a narrative created by the “stakeholders”to move their agenda forward. https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/)Has the water level risen in any of the towns in Hawaii? •Longer and/or more severe weather and climate change may increase the likelihood of wildfires.REMOVE (The Maui fire was NOT normal.A fire where trees do not burn but glass is melted out of cars,where animals and humans are left recognizable,and where plastic doesn’t burn or even melt is not normal.That was an attack and murder of our Lahaina ohana.That is why only 20 building permits have been issued after a year!AND why Lahahina is STILL locked down!) •Invasive species continue to pose a threat to native and endemic species as well economic, environmental,and human health.(Reminder:It is not the responsibility of the planning department to protect people’s health.) •The carrying capacity of our resources is not comprehensively modeled and monitored. (Modeled and monitored should be for government agencies.) •The County lacks specific regulations for wetlands,riparian ecosystems,or other valuable habitats. Stewardship •The County has a limited budget for its large-scale geographic responsibility for the protection of public trust natural and cultural resources.(Revise.This doesn’t make sense.What are you trying to say?What responsibility are you talking about?What does the protection of public trust mean?) •Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of unique biomes and ecosystems. •The difference between traditional and modern practices along with varying mauka to makai ownership makes it difficult to comprehensively steward natural resources. Page 40 Native Habitat The County can collaborate with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create models for monitoring the carrying capacity of natural resources that will support farmers and thriving communities. •Ongoing conservation work can continue to evolve from species-specific conservation (e.g., Albizia eradication)to focus on ecosystem restoration across multiple land ownership to protect Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity and support local farms. •Maintaining healthy,native-dominant forests offers immense savings of land biocultural (Remove)and water resources that might otherwise be lost to the impacts of climate change (Remove)and invasive species. •Conservation lands hold significant value in the water resources they represent. •Incentivizing and developing regenerative land uses without further regulations or fines,such as agroforestry,can provide sustainable opportunities to ecosystems and communities. •Hawaiʻi can become a statewide adaptation and resiliency leader by focusing on its unique strengths and diversity to evolve with changing realities. •Urban forestry can be prioritized or incentivized in the County Code.This means more regulations and possible fines.No thank you!Change to:Support the further growth of current urban forestry Watersheds ●Establish more place-based watershed partnerships to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of those water systems and protect our island’s watersheds and local farms. •Strengthen the integration of Hawaiian biocultural remove resource management and traditional ecological knowledge across County government to support local farms. •Practice an integrated approach to ecosystem-based collaborative management that considers the entire ecosystem and local communities. •Watershed protection and management require collaboration and coordination across all levels of government and must include effective community engagement.Revise to:Support Watershed and management coordination which integrates local communities. Stewardship ●Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of its unique natural biomes and ecosystems. ●Ongoing interagency coordination,including consultation with place-based land stewards,cultural and historical advisory groups,land and homeowners,and other stakeholders being transparent of what they hold stake in. •The County can take a more proactive role in exercising its protective public trust role for natural and cultural resources.This sounds like government overreach.Again,the planning department is NOT responsible for protecting the public.That is a byproduct of what you do but it is NOT the main part of your job!Revise to:The County can take a more proactive role in supporting thriving communities and their natural and cultural resources. •Maintain and increase involvement with existing partnerships and identify new partners that help promote and enhance biocultural (remove)Land stewardship. •Collaborate to complete additional EPA-approved watershed plans to increase eligibility for future conservation funding. Page 41 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal, Objectives,Policies,and Actions Objective 1 Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats. Policies 1.4 Maintain the shoreline for recreational,cultural,educational,and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of nature,respectful of resources,and is of the maximum benefit to the general public. 1.8 Prioritize native landscaping for all County projects while allowing communities to enjoy it at their leisure. 1.11 Encourage and incentivize green belts,tree plantings,and landscape plans and designs in urban areas without further regulations or fines. 1.13 Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource and values without further regulations or fines.and,when appropriate,pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources (Remove!This is a 110%overreach of the government.) 1.14 Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers, homeowners,and other stakeholders (What do they have a stake in?Who are they?)to: Page 42: a)Implement the Hawai‘i State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)(What is this plan?Where can it be found?) b)Better understand and model carrying capacities of the island’s habitats and resources c)Improve the inventory of forested lands and associated ecosystem services d)Encourage the continued identification and inclusion of unique wildlife habitat areas of Native Hawaiian habitat within the Natural Area Reserve System e)Anticipate future habitat migration,especially wetlands and coastal ecosystems f)Prioritize quantitative wetland assessment to identify wetlands g)Expand native and/or endemic forest cover h)Improve enforcement for illegal activities that harm or degrade endemic habitats (Who is defining endemic habitats and how is it defined?I MUST be defined by Hawaii citizen commission and not anyone outside Hawaii.Mainland people should NOT be able to define this.) 1.18 Public landscaping and irrigation shall be designed to maximize water use efficiency and native plants. Actions 1.b Review tree survey requirements and amend the Code to incorporate as part of site planning for public use. 1.h Develop buffer policies to protect native forests,wildlife,rivers,streams,coastal waters,and other native habitats without.This is too vague.What policies are you considering and will that come with penalties?If so,remove this. Page 43 1.i Create incentives for landowners to retain and re-establish forest cover in upland watershed areas with an emphasis on native forest species without further regulations or fines. 1.k Amend the landscape standards in Rule or Code (Remove)to require the use of native plants for screening or landscaping. Change to:Support local education on the importance of using native plants for screening or landscaping. 1.l Amend the Code to incentivize (Remove)Replace with Support local education on the importance of the establishment of threatened and endangered endemic plant species within their habitable ranges during development approvals. 1.m Review the Code and consider amendments to encourage site clustering of development in order to avoid critical environmental areas and assets.REMOVE This is more unneeded regulations.This is BIG Island.People do not need to be ontop of each other.You’re promoting too many regulations. 1.n Develop and establish Open Space Network Overlay on current unoccupied territory for natural landscape features,such as beaches and dunes,forests,streams, floodplains,wetlands,estuaries,or recharge areas that have the inherent capacity to avoid,minimize,or mitigate the impacts of climate change (Remove) 1.q Develop comprehensive programs and policies and provide resources for enhancing urban forestry canopy cover in unoccupied areas and without further regulations or fines for local farmers. 1.u Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders and local farmers to develop a program for the identification and protection of plant species of special status,including plants significant for cultural practitioners. Page 44: 2.7 Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers,and homeowners,and other stakeholders (Remove.Who are these people and what do they have stake in?)to: ○a)Implement a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies priority watershed areas for habitat restoration and enhancement without further regulations or fines on locals. ○b)Review and designate forest,river corridors,and watershed areas into the conservation district during State land use boundary comprehensive reviews. ○c)Monitor nearshore water quality and impacts to reefs and marine environments and address land-based sources of impacts. ○d)Protect and restore wetlands and riparian corridors to ensure more pristine water quality,decrease erosion,and increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration,nutrient/pollutant uptake,soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement,and cultural/community connections without further regulations or fines on locals.. ○e)Develop reasonable standards to improve stream and coastal water quality monitoring and encourage local communities to develop such projects without further regulations or fines on locals. Page 45 Objective 3 Increase direct community restoration and collaborative efforts to conserve and nourish the island’s biocultural resources. Policies 3.1 Encourage an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaiʻi’s resources by protecting,preserving,and conserving critical and significant natural resources without further fines and regulation on the population. Pg 47 Actions 4.b Change from:Reassess Certified Local Government status to ensure the support of farmers and homeowners and maximize funding opportunities for self-supporting communities. 4.h Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners, other local communities,and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in)to develop design guidelines for designated communities containing significant historic buildings,sites,or landscapes. 4.i Assess and prioritize County-owned lands for historic site restoration in collaboration with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,other local communities,and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in). Page 48 Objective 5 Protect,restore,and enhance our communities’unique scenic character. Policies 5.c Develop a process for reviewing and revising guidelines for designating Natural Beauty Sites without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. 5.d Establish a Scenic Resources Protection Program to identify,inventory,and protect areas of significant beauty.The program could include recommendations from the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project (2016)without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. Page 56 3.1 Introduction The climate change section of the General Plan is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated climate mitigation and adaptation efforts on Hawaiʻi Island.This element provides a high-level policy framework,building on the scientific knowledge and government-level strategies and actions developed in the Integrated Action Plan (ICAP)for the island of Hawaiʻi. This is VERY Concerning! As stated earlier the World Climate Declaration was signed currently by 1,944 scientists stating there is no climate danger.Here is what a few more scientists have to say.On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel,on May 14,2010,MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared the following: “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?”it's always doing one or the other.I have no concern about that.By asking people to worry about whether it's going up or down,you're immediately establishing dishonesty.The Earth is always changing.Climate change is nothing you have to prove.It always is happening.It always has happened.So,to make that into something alarming seems a little bit weird to me1.” 1 “Global warming:why you should not worry,”by the Boston Globe,May 14,2010. Dr.David Dilley,a former Meteorologist with the National Weather Service,United States Air Force,Senior Research Meteorologist,and Climatologist at Global Weather Oscillations Inc., has 50 years’experience in meteorology and climatology.He's also a working partner in the International Hurricane Protection Association.This is what he has to say about global warming: “Global warming begins in the Arctic and Antarctic.It has about a 230-year cycle. When it comes back,it takes about 20 years for it to hit its peak.It started in the 1990s and hit its peak this past year.With global warming,the Antarctic and higher regions warm up.As it warms up,you have less cold air available to filter south into the middle latitudes,and it warms the middle latitudes.That is global warming2.” Dilley explained that the same thing happens with global cooling but in reverse,as the temperature increases and decreases in cycles.Dilley then shared that 2022 was the coldest spring and summer on record,with the winter of 2021 being the coldest winter on record.He also shared that in April 2023,five months before the Lahaina Fire,the Earth was running low-to-normal temperatures,and the Arctic was actually cooling down. Dilley is also an expert of the “Milankovitch Cycle,”which illustrates the rotation of the Earth,sun,and the moon,and their effects on global warming.According to Dilley,every 120,000 years,the Earth comes closest to the sun.Then,about 68,000 years later,it's the furthest approach from the sun.He says that our closest approach was 8,000 years ago.Dilley states,“We were warmer 6,000 to 8,000 years ago than we are today.The reason was that we were the closest approach to the sun and we had just come out of an Ice Age.We're 8,000 years off the peak now,and so we're actually cooling down.” John Coleman,also an expert on the weather,shares the same thoughts.Coleman was the original weatherman on Good Morning America in the 1970s.He founded The Weather Channel in the 1980s.In 1982,he was voted “Meteorologist of the Year”by the American Meteorology Society.With regards to the Arctic and sea levels,Coleman states: “They tell us that we're melting the polar ice caps.The Antarctic polar ice cap is at an all-time high,and the Arctic ice cap is increasing again after diminishing. They tell us that we're flooding the shorelines.Do you live on the coast?How much has the water come up in your lifetime?They manufactured data to make it look like we're increasing the water level of the oceans,but we’re not3.” Professor Richard Lindzen states: 3 “John Coleman's case against significant man-made global warming,”by Kusi News,June 24,2013. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=Cn-ApS8z2Y_kiI76 2 “Signals -Global Cooling Cycle Beginning -Global Warming Ending -Professor David Dilley,”by David Dilley GlobalWeatherCycles,May 10,2023.https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=67zNptmdOoWQzWqF https://youtu.be/pwvVephTIHU?si=XoxAcPc51JNOXdeR “At any given place,traditionally,sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges:a stick in the water,basically.Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows:the land moving up and down and the sea moving up and down.In most places,it's the land that has the biggest effect,and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise141.” Let’s review the danger of water rising and engulfing coastline towns.Is there one city or town on the shoreline that is in danger of being underwater?Is Venice,a town that lives at sea level,in danger of being lost to the sea?Have home insurance companies stopped giving insurance policies to homeowners who live on the coastline because they’ll soon be underwater?The answer would be no! On August 21,2020,NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.”It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches)per year between 1900 and 20184.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years!Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water?No.It shows that it will be a very,very,very long time before humans are in danger.Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth”are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12,2007,titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on global warming,"An Inconvenient Truth,"contains "nine errors5."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science”website6. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1.The film claims that melting snow s on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming.The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct. 2.The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years.The Court found that the film was misleading:over that period,the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 6 “Inaccuracies in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth -A Ruling of the British High Court” https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Tru th.html 5“Truth is,Gore film has 9 errors,British judge rules,”by Mary Jordan,Oct 12,2007. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has-9-errors-british-judge-rules/ 4 “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900,”by Ian J.O'Neill /Jane J.Lee,August 21, 2020.https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ 3.The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming.The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible”to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4.The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming.The Government’s expert had to accept that this was not the case. 5.The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice.It turned out that Mr.Gore had misread the study:in fact,four polar bears drowned,and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6.The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream,throwing Europe into an ice age.The Claimant’s evidence was that this was a scientific impossibility. 7.The film blames global warming for species losses,including coral reef bleaching.The Government could not find any evidence to support this claim. 8.The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters,causing the displacement of millions of people.In fact,the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9.The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand.The Government was unable to substantiate this,and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also,the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1.The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt,causing sea levels to rise dangerously.The evidence is that Greenland will not melt for a millennia. 2.The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting;the evidence was that it is,in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore,the documentary’s moderator,makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus.For instance,Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh139.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist”and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted,it would release this amount of water “but only after,and over,a millennia.” The climate change narrative will destroy people’s freedom and add more regulations,fines and fees.Do not allow this government narrative to continue on the Big Island.The people do NOT want more laws,regulations,and fines based on a false narrative that completely changes community infrastructures from self-reliant to “sustainable”living,with “stakeholders”carrying the purse strings and the power.That is NOT Pono! Gregg Braden is a geologist,five-time New York Times best-selling author,scientist, international educator,and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy,and human potential,had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with.We are carbon-based beings.By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life,we’re actually demonizing ourselves7.” Science 101 shows us that plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.If plants die due to lack of carbon dioxide,so do humans for lack of oxygen.During the Cretaceous Period,which began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago,we had a lot more carbon than we do today -tons more!This was the time of the dinosaurs,and everything was huge!Plants were much larger than they are now. The sea levels were also a lot higher during the Cretaceous Period.Was that due to more carbon dioxide?Not according to an article at Britannica.com written by Thor Arthur Hansen,Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology,Paleoecology,and Evolution at Western Washington University,U.S.,and Carl Fred Koch,Professor of Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University,Norfolk,Virginia.It was fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7,2024.The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges8.It was not due to carbon!It was due to the Earth's mantle. On January 11,2023,in an episode titled “Why “THE POWERS THAT BE”are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?”posted on geologist and scientist Gregg Braden’s YouTube channel,John L.Petersen of the Arlington Institute stated: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland,you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide.That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change;it is the response to the temperature change9.” In the same interview,Braden stated: 9 “Why ‘THE POWERS THAT BE’are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?”by Gregg Braden,January 11,2023.https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=cz2jDjrSmJaITiDx 8 “Cretaceous Period,”by Carl Fre Koch,Thor Arthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period 7 “Gregg Braden -Why “THE POWERS THAT BE”are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official,January 11,2023.https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher;that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher;and that C02 is the driving temperature,both of which are not true147.” Gregg showed a graph indicating that during the Cretaceous Period,carbon dioxide levels were over three times higher than they are today.Carbon dioxide levels were between 800-1,000 parts per million.During this period,there was an extreme greening of the Earth. Plants and life thrived! According to Braden: “If CO2 drops below 184 parts per million,that seems to be the threshold where we (humans) are in trouble!If CO2 drops below those levels,we are actually cutting off the very life-force that is providing oxygen on this planet.” Is the entire CO2 narrative intended to increase the bankroll of the “stakeholders”around the world invested in renewable energy with no regard for human life? Stakeholders who’ve invested in progressive and “sustainable energy"have a lot to gain in their pocketbooks by populations living in fear of climate change and believing they will be “saving”the Earth by going along with renewable energy and electric vehicles.They’ll also be giving up a lot of their freedoms in doing so. Page 59 Transportation The General Plan further discusses strategies for decreasing vehicle reliance and (Remove) improving public Transportation Access and Mobility.You have no right to hinder people’s right to travel.Please take ANYTHING out that references decreasing people’s use of their vehicle! The County can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power public facilities and infrastructure,reducing VMT,(REMOVE).YOU CANNOT LIMIT PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRAVEL.THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION AND IS BEYOND YOUR JURISDICTION Page 61 The General Plan expands on opportunities for climate-conscious land development in the Land Use section without violating people’s rights,over regulating or increasing fines. Page 63 The General Plan further expands on strategies to increase resilience in the Transportation Access and Mobility,Public Utilities,and Public Facilities and Services sections without violating the Constitution,or over regulating farmers and homeowners. The General Plan expands on renewable energy in the Public Utilities section with safety studies prior to installation,and without increasing costs to the public. Page 66 Transportation •Promoting the use of electric vehicles through expanding charging infrastructure and educating the public on the safety studies done for the use of these vehicles from third parties. Renewable Energy •Increasing the use of green technology (including third party safety studies)will increase the energy independence of individuals and businesses on the island. •Supporting renewable energy technologies,such as solar,wind,ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC),and geothermal (Remove.This practice is not safe for an island with active volcanoes!) Land Use &the Built Environment •Implementing smart growth strategies,without violating people’s right to travel can reduce urban sprawl and create more walkable communities. •Developing a County building code that balances health and safety,affordability,and carbon footprint (REMOVE!This is more regulations and fines.NOT Pono!It is NOT your responsibility to focus on people’s health.That is for each individual!This is an overreach! •Encouraging the construction of energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings being sure to prove any additional technology is safe for the public.. •Promoting regenerative agriculture practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration while not further regulating farms or increasing fines. •Greening urban areas increases the availability of cool areas for residents to live and recreate. •Integrating energy savings and waste management,without more regulations and fines on the population,provides an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in new development. Conservation •Protecting reefs and marine ecosystems that act as carbon sinks,without hindering public use. •Implementing a One Water strategy and other water-saving technologies and practices can reduce the energy required for water treatment and distribution.This is NOT a good idea.If this goes down,where will people get their water?Remove or revise. •Conserving natural habitats without hindering public use to preserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change. •Efforts to expand renewable energy,with third party safety studies and without hindering public use,can consider the preservation of unique and diverse ecosystems,avoiding negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats. Additional Measures •Improving public engagement about climate change and encouraging sustainable practices. (Remove and educate yourself on the fact that scientists from around the world have stated there is no climate danger.) •Implementing policies and regulations that support climate mitigation efforts,without further regulations or fines on locals.(Please educate yourself) •Supporting research into new technologies and approaches for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience and include third party safety studies while ensuring no further cost to the public. Page 67 Water Resources •Management Promoting a One Water strategy can create cross-agency collaboration to identify and address overlapping challenges in adapting to sea level rise and building more resiliency into infrastructure across water,wastewater and stormwater sectors.How does this promote collaboration?This seems like a monopoly. Agriculture &•Food Security Encouraging the cultivation of climate-resilient and diversified crops to enhance food security without further regulations and fines. Infrastructure &Urban Planning Retrofitting or relocating bridges and roads provides an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions by reducing miles traveled.(REMOVE)THIS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION.YOU CANNOT DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL.ALSO,HOW ARE YOU GOING TO “RELOCATE”LOCAL BRIDGES.THIS SHOULD BE REMOVED! ●Implement zoning and land use planning policies that consider climate risks and promote sustainable development after a full investigation of the climate change narrative is examined.(Do not further regulate and fine people without fully investigating the climate change narrative and proving that any additional technology is safe for the human life.) Social Equity ●Engage communities in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that adaptation measures are socially inclusive (Remove.This is woke language.)and culturally appropriate. ●Increasing equitable resilience to climate hazards will benefit historically marginalized and frontline Engage communities (What does this mean?)and those that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Energy &•Transportation ●Invest in renewable energy sources that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience. ●Promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce overall energy consumption and without increasing regulations or fines Biodiversity &Ecosystems ●Managed retreat strategies and new shoreline setback regulations would expand open space along the shoreline to support coastal ecosystems such as anchialine pools without hindering public access. ●Supporting conservation programs that are proven safe for the people and the environment can help protect native species and habitats from climate change impacts without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. ●Strengthening measures to control and eradicate invasive species can help protect local ecosystems. ●Enhance habitat connectivity to allow species to migrate in response to changing environmental conditions without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. Education &Capacity Building ●Build capacity for local government agencies by providing training and resources that improve their ability to plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives without increasing regulations and fines. ●Collaborate and coordinate with the County’s Office of Sustainability,Climate,Equity, and Resilience (OSCER).This is woke language and should be removed. ●Support research and monitoring efforts to better understand climate impacts and the effectiveness of adaptation measures.(Please educate yourself on this false narrative) ●Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and adaptation strategies.REMOVE (This is a FALSE narrative that you would be perpetuating.) Page 68 3.2 Climate Change Goal, Objectives,Policies,and Actions This ENTIRE section should be removed.Rosa Korie WARNED that what is planned for this country through the planning departments “is an erasure of jurisdictional boundaries.It is a loss of private property rights,a loss of sovereignty -both personal physical sovereignty and physical sovereignty in terms of our nation -and it's a loss of our freedom.” From Rosa Koire's special presentation to the New Hampshire Legislature. https://youtu.be/350IbVtpzvw?si=u_NNsNoL9XtGxDEA Page 71 8.3 Collaborate with farmers,government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts.(Please educate yourself on this false narrative.Is Kona or Hilo or any Hawaiian town close to being underwater?NO!) 8.11 Partner with government (e.g.,State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development [OPSD]),private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to analyze conservation buffers to accommodate shifting native habitats impacted by climate change,particularly wetlands and high-elevation forests. (Remove this ENTIRE section!We do NOT want “buffer”zones!You want to take away the ability for people to be in nature.That is NOT pono!) 8.b Support and partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?on research for adaptive policies and technology that includes safety studies to the public and environment,that increase resilience without further regulations and fines on the public.. 8.d Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard-prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation. REMOVE.THIS IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH!THIS IS NOT A COMMUNIST COUNTRY!YOU CANNOT TAKE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY! 8.e Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to implement environmentally beneficial upgrades for wastewater,irrigation,and/or landscaping,including sea level rise,storm,and other climate change considerations.(Remove).Getting at least three bids for contracts from different companies. Pg 74 -4.1.1 Introduction 1st para:“achieve sustainable development and”(Remove) change “resilient”to safe 2nd para:“Sustainable development is a key objective of land use planning for the County.By strategically”and in the sentence “Land use planning is essential.(Remove)change “resilient” to safe. 3rd para:-change “resilience”to safety.“and the impacts of climate change”(Remove)Better prepared for and protected against potential disasters.Change:“sustainable”to diversified. “desirable”to fair,equitable. Last para 5th line down:Change:“should”to may Pg 75 Economic Opportunity Planning:“other growth sectors.”Need to be specific,identify other growth sectors. Last sentence:“muck like the weave of sustainability,”(Remove) Pg.76 Table 16:Land Use Key Trends Changing &Aging Population:“Over the next 25 years …..0.9%per annum”decline in population already seen and projected needs to addressed as to why the population is in decline.How you do Planning if you don’t address reasons for population decline.This is crucial. Housing Affordability &Choice:“In 2010…”down to “However,on average,Hawaii County’s overcrowding…..” Shifting Visitor Accommodation Types:-Change “With the upward trend….”to “rentals.”& “There is also a shift..”Revise that entire sentence. Job Availability &Growth:-Revise last sentence “In 2020,14%of the…..” Pg.77 Table 17:Land Use Challenges Revise: Infrastructure section Regulations section Funding &Financing entire section Land Use Compatibility entire section Public Engagement entire section -(My note is What is NIMBYism?) Pg.78 Table 18:Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure::last sentence “County departments can provide…..” Regulations:Red:“Collaborate across State and County agencies to…..”(Need more public input and ideas); “The most direct role the County plays..,..property tax policy.”(Need much more research on property tax rates,regulations,policies &scrutinized by the public who are affected by paying property taxes.This should be the most glaring concern so that we do not leave tax burden for future generations who may lose their properties to taxes paid to the government). Funding &Financing:“Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity building plan…..stakeholders.”(Remove) Market Conditions:“Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments….”Add: without violating people’s right to own property or take this out.Revise it.This is government overreach! Land Use Compatibility:“Demonstrate smart growth developments.”(Remove) Public Engagement:“Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBY)without further regulations and fines.”(What is YIMBY?)and next line “Apply strategies to….”“stakeholder”.Who are these stakeholders?What do they have stake in? Pg.79 4.1.2 Land Use Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions Item 9.7 -Red:“Encourage”change to Mandate developers Item 9.8 -Red:“Route selection for …..”that entire sentence.(This is a high priority revision as it pertains directly to 5G dangers.Here is where the people/public need to have direct input/approval/changes. Item 9.a -Red:“Develop a process for County…..”this is crucial for public scrutiny &opportunity for the public to get transparency.Transparency can only be realized if we,the public include ourselves into all governmental processes.If not,we will not get transparency,period! Pg 80 Land Use Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions -continued Item 9.e -“Conduct a review and re-evaluation….”entire sentence to be revised. Item 10.3 “Proposed discretionary permits for large developments…..Ka’u Districts”-Not clear needs revision. Item 10.b “Amend…….allow CPDs to be applied to all zoning districts…”-Why amend the Zoning Code?We need to compare current Zoning Codes to what they propose to amend to see if the people or the developers have the advantage.What are CPDs? Item 10.c -Red:“Collaborate with the State Office of Planning…..Native Hawaiian customary and traditional..”Need to revise to ensure that Hawaiian cultural experts,NOT the State government or its agencies have any input for preserving,protecting,educating,safeguarding, sharing,marketing,..every aspect of utilizing our native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli)heritage of language,practices,traditions,religion &more belong exclusively to the kanaka maoli elders, experts,kupuna,kahuna,healers NEVER the government or its agencies…NEVER!!! Pg 81 continue Item 11.4 “Concurrency reviews should incorporate…..(Remove)”entire sentence absolutely NO! Actions 11.a -Red:“Collaborate with the SHPD to create…..”entire sentence -Need experts. 11.d -Red:“Amend Zoning Code….”do not give the Planning Director more power,it’s time to decrease power for that position,we need to humble these government workers/servants.Now is that time as history has shown us,when they have power,they want more;when they have more power,it’s not enough &the cycle continues while the people suffer.STOP giving away the power from the people. 11.f -“Update traffic impact…..”(Remove)entire sentence.Travel should not be the Planning Board’s power to take away from me or you,ever. Objective 12 Reduce the threat to life and property from natural hazards and disasters. Policies The above sentence -Red:add “unnatural &natural hazards”-It is important to identify the reality that unnatural hazards have always existed,therefore,why is that omitted? 12.3 Red:“Consider natural …….”Again add in unnatural &force the Planning Board to address DE disasters,weather machine disasters which are human created disasters,which is criminal.Why shouldn’t the Planning Board include these disasters as they certainly affect the health &safety of the people &our environment. 12.8 Red:“Encourage the development….”entire sentence.Again,must address DE/Weather machines/human initiated disasters. Pg 82 Actions Item 12.a -Red:“Update the Building Code…..”entire sentence need extreme revisions,I initially wanted to delete,but it is necessary to revise to include unnatural/man made disasters & address “carbon footprint”.These are areas to not hide by deleting,but rather talk about them through revisions. Item 12.g -“Amend the Zoning Code….”(Remove)Until they can prove climate change is happening,delete this section that refers to climate change as that is a false narrative that we the people/public should not allow to continue.I do not want to tell a lie over &over again until everyone believes it.That’s breaking the 10 commandments. Pg.83 4.1.3 Overview of Land Use Designations and Maps No changes. Pg.84 Table 19:General Plan Land Use Designations and Maps No Changes Pg.85 Agriculture and Natural Land Use No Changes Pg 86 4.1.4 Urban Growth Areas 2nd para:Red:“Smart Growth”change to something safer,know what it represents not hidden meanings.Black out:the word “sustainable”and from “More specifically,urban centers have been designed to create….Driving.”-The government or its agencies should not impede or alter the rights of citizens to travel it’s call our right to travel,which is constitutional. Pg 87 Objective 13 Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. Policies Red:change “Smart Growth”to Evaluate and analyze development within designated urban centers. Item 13.3 Red:“Incentivize”what is that &how does it benefit the public? 13.6 Red:“may include additional acreages to account for…..”must revise section to make it clearer as to how this inclusion will work to the advantage or disadvantage of historic sites, public access,parks,&open spaces.More clarity is necessary because saying ok to unclear “PLANNING”should never be accepted. Item #13.12 -Red:Revise entire sentence “Urban renewal,rehabilitation….”need to include people or the public not just communities,businesses,&governmental agencies.Planning Boards should always include the people/public.This will give people the power to make decisions,not just testify for 3 minutes at a Planning Commission hearing.That needs to change.More people/public involvement needs to be promoted.This involvement may be the inspiration or motivation for people to become active in planning for themselves,their future generations.It is time for governments &businesses to take a back seat! Item 13.13 Red:Revise entire sentence.“Support master planning by …..”it’s not “Support”it should be to Scrutinize,evaluate,analyze and recommend by experts and the people. Pg.88 Commercial -Industrial Item 13.28 Red:“Discretionary permit applications…..Entire sentence need revision as it is not fair to have Discretionary permit applications for new commercial developments.Everyone follows the rules,no exceptions by the Planning Board. Resort Item 13.49 -Red:Revise “On-site affordable housing and workforce units shall be excluded from the total permitted visitor unit counts…..”Again,how does this exclusion help the people, the visitors,the workforce?How does it affect permitted visitor unit counts? Pg 90 Actions 13.c Red:revise “Amend the Subdivision Code to ensure block sizes are based….”What are the current codes &what are the proposed amendments to compare who will have the advantage or disadvantage of this proposal to Amend Subdivision Code. Pg.91 Urban Character Guidelines Table 20:Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Character Guidelines No Changes. Pg.92 Table 21:Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.93 Table 22:Urban Neighborhood Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.94 Table 23:Industrial Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.95 Table 24:Criteria for Industrial Land Conversion to Commercial/Mixed-Use No Changes Pg.96 Table 25:Resort Area Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.97 4.1.5 Rural No Changes Pg.98 Objective 14 Maximize the use of Rural designated lands to preserve rural character and lifestyle.Policies All items from 14.1,14.2,14.3,14.4,14.5,14.6 -Red:Must revise all items as the Planning Board is asking for Support of everything they are doing,which contradicts any changes that the public may be deemed detrimental.Asking for “blind”support is ridiculous. Actions -Items 14.a,14.b,14.c,&14.d Red:Revise all items as it is asking to Amend Zoning Code,zoning districts which is crucial to see current codes compared to amendments.How are these amendments affecting the public to their advantage vs.disadvantages.This is very important to NOT just accept amendments.Thorough research is necessary to protect the public. Pg.99 Table 26:Rural Neighborhood Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.100 4.1.6 Agriculture Last para:“The General Plan provides planning tools to incentivize the highest and best use of productive agricultural lands.The Plan’s policies……entire paragraph need to be revised.I am especially concerned with the word “incentivize the highest and best use…here again what does this mean,how will it be done,who benefits. Pg.101 Objective 15 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Actions All items 15.a,15.b,15.c.15.d,15.e must be revised Not just Amend. Pg.102 Actions (continue) Item 15.f -Revise “Update the Real Property Tax Code…..”need public input for transparency. Item 15.g Revise “Amend the Zoning Code…”again do not just accept Amending Item 15.k Revise “Collaborate with USDA and the State….It’s not just collaborate,it’s what are the decisions based upon,what are the final decisions,how are these decisions helping farmers.Since,we have passed hundreds of years farming in Hawaii you would think we have identified major problems,why these problems do not get resolved,who are responsible for the non-resolutions.This is just repeating ….USDA,the State who have been in charge of agriculture,I want to see a report card that covers 1950s to 2023.Report cards are transparency mechanisms to identify who &what are creating our farmer’s problems.We cannot fix anything without transparency.Politicians say it,but absolutely no actions.This section is entitled ACTION.Let us begin to act. Pg.104 4.2.1 Introduction Third para:“Resilience….”I don’t want the word resilience to be an escape mechanism for the government or its agencies.That word should change. The last para:“The Plan is focused on improving connectivity within …..”this sounds good,but I don’t see good results as I am pass 70 yrs old.We should not accept “rinse &repeat”.What did the Planning Board learn from over 100 yrs.Of past failures?They say they focus on improving,yet we cannot determine how they will improve.Stronger language to ensure that the public can know they plan to improve. Pg.105 Table 27:Transportation Key Trends No Changes Pg.106 Table 28:Transportation Challenges All items Red:Revisions necessary.It refers to electric cars,Pre-COVID-19 (false narratives that must be stopped) Pg.107 Table 29:Transportation Opportunities All items Red:Need revisions since they want to establish metrics,improve interagency collaboration,prepare projects,standardize interagency agreements.It contains a multitude of changes that are unclear,very ambiguous,&again,transparency is lacking. Pg.108 4.2.2 Transportation Goal,Objective,Policies,and Actions All items Red:Requires revisions.Examples:item 16.2 “Encourage safe and convenient use …...non-polluting”What is non-polluting to the Planning Board?What do they know about pollution as they don’t know that EMFs are dangerous pollutants.And example:Item 16.10 “Identify and evaluate transportation…..energy and climate issues.”We need to stop the false Pg.109 Actions -continue All items -Red:Revisions necessary.Same reasons as above for Pg.108. Sorry Michelle -did not complete pages 104 to 118-119.Can do later/Kalei K.completed today, Monday 9-23-24 at 12:01 pm. Pg.110 4.2.3 Active Living Corridors and Public Access No Changes Pg.111 Objective 17 Increase transportation connectivity. Policies All items Red:Need revisions.Example:Item 17.1 “Ensure Native Hawaiian access rights are clearly expressed….”This is an area of talk talk talk &no action.Again,what violations have already occurred,how long have these violations been going on,have these violations stopped? Just putting in a sentence in a Plan does not mean it has been adhered to.Therefore,these proposals are weak.As a native Hawaiian it is imperative to get enforcement for these violations,identify violations,how long it’s been happening,why &who are responsible to stop violations,protect native Hawaiian access rights.If this item #is weak,which it is -than the others need revisions. Pg.112 Table 30:Public Access Spacing Standards No Changes Pg.4.2.4 Mass Transit All paragraphs need revisions Red:revisions necessary.Mass Transit has been proven wrong on Oahu,the Rail.Over budgeted,from hundreds of millions of dollars (budgeted)to billions of dollars,NOT budgeted.Who is paying for this government error?You,me &our visitors.We have an historic example from the City &County of Honolulu.The people protested against this “Rail”,but years later a Mayor brought back the Rail &all Mayors thereafter continue with this project.Please investigate this “Planning”before Hawaii County repeats history.All words in this section/page are the same words use by the Planning Dept.of the City &County of Honolulu. Absolutely requires total revisions to 4.2.4 Mass Transit Pg.114 Objective 18 Increase mass transit ridership by 50 percent by 2045 Policies All items are basic objectives.No changes (yet) Pg.115 4.2.5 Roadways 2nd to last para:What is the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan Pink:Concern Pg.116 Objective 19 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) All items Red:Need revisions Concern -What is reduce vehicle miles traveled?Why reduce vehicle miles traveled?What is this agenda for &what will it accomplish?Who will benefit? Again,our right to travel cannot be altered or impeded as that right is protected by the US Constitution &God. Pg.117 Objective 20 Achieve a transportation system that employs all modes of transportation at a community scale. All items need to be revised Pg.117 continue:Objective 21 Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff.Policies All items Red:Concern See item 21.1 “green infrastructure strategies,and pollution prevention procedures….”Again,sine the Planning Board does not understand EMF pollution &its dangerous -what are they talking about here “pollution prevention procedures..” Pg.118 continue from above.Actions &Objective 22 Increase transportation safety for transportation’s most vulnerable users and reduce traffic fatalities.Policies All items Red:revise Pg.119 Continue from above. All items from 22.7 to 22.9 Red:revise Concern. 22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles.This appears to be referencing the very unproven technology of ‘driverless cars??’Emerging technology needs to go through rigorous standards of testing before being released onto roadways.This text here,with a clear reference to something that is already proving dangerous on the roadways and the subject of lawsuits does not belong in our County Plan. 22.8 Maintain dedicated roadway standards that are appropriate to roadway type and achieve active transportation and safety goals. 22.9 Engage and collaborate with the owners of private roads and local community groups to help identify and develop road management agreements that mitigate road closures to provide emergency evacuation routes. Actions 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles.This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail.These safety principles need to be spelled out or they don’t belong in the County Plan. ●22.b Develop educational programs promoting traffic safety.Where something is designated an ‘action’in a County General Plan Document,sufficient detail should be provided.This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. ●Objective 23 Adequately maintain public transportation systems. Policies ●23.1 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans for pavement,bridges,and other road infrastructure to prolong the life of our transportation system as well as reduce its whole-life cost. ●23.2 Maintain the unique features of historic bridges,while balancing safety needs and preserving historic and scenic character. ●23.3 Prioritize the replacement of deficient and inadequate bridges and maintain pedestrian/bicycle access across bridges. ●23.4 Design new bridges and bridge improvements to accommodate and not negatively impede identified scenic resources. ●23.5 Evaluate freight routes identified in the State Freight Master Plan for required improvements to meet roadway standards. ●23.6 Encourage the adoption of innovative materials and methods that improve roadway sustainability and resilience. Actions ●23.a Create an asset management program. ●23.b Continue the bridge inspection program and expand rehab or replacement to include active transportation accommodations. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 119 Roadway Standards The County adheres to several federal and industry standards for roadway design.These include the AASHTO Green Book and Roadside Design Guide,the MUTCD,the NACTO,and the Highway Capacity Manual.5 Examples of topics addressed by these guidelines include road geometry (e.g.,curves,sight distance),safety within ROWs adjacent to travel ways,design speeds,level of service,signs/striping/signaling,and urban transit.In addition to these sources, the County adheres to the following locally defined standards. Street Standards Highways shall not be wider than four through travel lanes that accommodate single occupancy vehicles and should be limited to the most populated areas typically connecting residential areas with employment centers. Integrate transportation networks to prioritize the most vulnerable roadways users and the greenest modes of travel through a Multimodal Hierarchy (Figure 7)that prioritizes investments in the following order: 1.Pedestrian 2.Public Transit 3.Bicycle 4.Auto This is a directive for future transportation policy ?It is 4 words and yet it is a giant reach toward a set of ideals and it is not explained at all in detail. OBJECTION :This ‘policy directive’reflects a radical socialist agenda of forcing people to give up automobiles and give up their autonomy at the same time.This shows contempt for the most basic principles of freedom..We refer you to :The United States Constitution which “protects the freedom to move about within the country,both domestically and internationally.This fundamental right is deeply rooted in American liberty and has been recognized and protected by the Supreme Court.“ The priorities established in a General Plan should reflect careful consideration of the island’s economy and how to best support our island economy but instead this prioritization of pedestrians ‘first’and ‘automobile’transport reflects an obsession with addressing carbon as a ‘cause’for an alleged crisis for our climate..It’s strange to us that in this document that purports to be about a plan for ‘development’there is barely a focus on the actual economy.Here instead we see a document ‘prioritizing’Pedestrian travel (on an island with very few densely populated urban centers)without context of what will actually promote agriculture,commerce,industries, jobs and economic activities.This directive would make more sense for an Oahu General Plan because of the size of the land mass and ratio of population.If it is in this document without much explanation then it appears to be a reflection of a ‘fad’in transportation policy rather than a practical and well thought out policy directive. The minimum roadway width standards to accommodate the County Roadway Classifications were adopted in Resolution 779-20.The following provides an overview of this standard with reference to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)Functional Classification system. 4.2.6 Transportation Terminals:Airports and Harbors As a major hub for tourism,commerce,and connectivity,Hawaiʻi County recognizes the importance of effective planning and management of its airports and harbors.These key infrastructure components serve as lifelines that facilitate economic growth,enhance regional connectivity,and provide essential services for residents and visitors.Airports and harbors connect the County to the rest of the world,allowing for the efficient movement of goods, people,and ideas.They are essential nodes within the transportation network,acting as important economic drivers for the region.Efficient airports and harbors directly contribute to the success of various industries,including tourism,agriculture,trade,and logistics.Moreover,they are instrumental in supporting emergency response efforts,disaster management,and ensuring the overall resilience of the region’s transportation system. Again,over and over the objection ‘in general’to this General Plan 2045 is that the document references ‘economic growth’and yet does not address the actual drivers of the economy in detail.As public servants it is your best service to our island if you would study how you can support the farmers,producers of goods and services to build a great economy together. Unfortunately there are dozens of instances where legislators and public servants have imposed restrictions,fees and taxes on those very ‘drivers’of our economy.Airport Terminals and Harbors do not ‘cause’the economy to grow and are not drivers of the economy and yet we see a General Plan with weighted emphasis on ‘transportation’and urban development without seeing evidence of a study of what will actually support the individuals and households that produce economic value for our actual economy.This is an extremely poor outcome for a document that presents as a ‘guide’for legislators and policy makers for the next 20 plus years. The principal concerns of planning for transportation terminals involve a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects,including location,zoning of adjacent land, infrastructure development,capacity management,safety and security measures, environmental sustainability,integration with other modes of transportation,and financing and programming of improvements and services through capital improvement projects.While the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (DOT)is responsible for the actual design, construction,and operation of terminals and supporting facilities,the General Plan addresses the location of these facilities in relation to the pattern of overall land uses.There are two deep draft harbors on the island,one in Hilo and another in Kawaihae. While improvements continue to be made,both harbor terminals lack adequate docking and Harbor has increased significantly as the population and development in West Hawaiʻi continue to grow.In 2011,the Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan was developed by the State to accommodate the future needs of facilities ●CONCERN:THE HARBORS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII.THEY ARE HARBORS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR ISLAND AND WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY.WHAT HAPPENED TO HOME RULE?WHERE WAS THE CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE TO HAND OVER CONTROL OF OUR HARBORS TO THE STATE ?. ● ●Air terminals that transportation are in Hilo,Waimea,ʻUpolu,and Kona.The terminals at Hilo and Kona are overseas facilities.Overseas flights at the Kona International Airport at Keahole will continue to increase with the growth of resort areas in Kona and Kohala. Overseas flights through Hilo International Airport have been important for agriculture in East Hawaiʻi. ●What is concerning about this County General Plan 2045 is the lack of analysis about our actual economy.WHY DO WE SEE A DOCUMENT THAT STATES ‘OVERSEAS FLIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WITH THE GROWTH OF RESORT AREAS?’THIS PLAN SEEMS FLAWED DUE TO LACKING IN CRITICAL ‘ARGUMENTS’FOR THE PLANNED GROWTH BASED ON ACTUAL NUMBERS AND STUDIES .IF THERE ARE STUDIES AND STATISTICS THAT DO SUPPORT THE ASSERTIONS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE GENERAL PLAN ABOUT PROJECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH THEN THEY SHOULD BE REFERENCED AND INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.ALSO CITATIONS OF WHERE THIS INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC IN ‘CONSULTATIONS’ ●STRANGELY THE HILO PLAN IS MISSING FROM THE GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENT AND THIS IS ONE OF TWO URBAN CENTERS AND THE CENTER FROM WHICH TWO OF THE ‘HARBORS’AND ‘TERMINALS’OPERATE?THIS SEEMS (AGAIN)A GLARING OMISSION. ●Since 2011,the DOT has embarked on a $2.3 billion Hawaiʻi Airports Modernization Program to improve the safety,capacity,and efficiency of our major passenger and cargo airports. As the population becomes more mobile and as resident and visitor populations increase,there will be a greater demand for new and expanded transportation facilities that are adjacent to compatible land uses and include alternative and active transportation connections to decrease the demand for cars and reliance on fossil fuels.OBJECTION TO THIS SENTENCE IS THAT IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY FACTS OR AN ARGUMENT MADE FOR THE CASE BEING PRESENTED.AGAIN THE CONCERN ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT IS THAT IT IS COMMITTING OUR ENTIRE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEGISLATURE TO A RADICAL COURSE OF ACTION BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT FOSSIL FUELS ARE TO BE ERADICATED AND THAT PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ALSO BE ERADICATED AND OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.THESE PREMISES ARE PART OF A RADICAL SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION SINCE IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LIMIT THE FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS TO FREELY MOVE ABOUT. service inter-island 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 122 Objective 24 Improve accessibility to airports,harbor systems,and support facilities. Policies ●24.1 Encourage the programmed improvement of existing terminals,including adequate provisions for control of pollution and appropriate and adequate covered storage facilities for agricultural products. ●24.2 The State Department of Transportation should continue to implement its plans for transportation terminals and related facilities to promote and follow desired land use policies. ●24.3 Transportation terminals should be developed in conjunction with the different elements of the overall transportation system. ●24.4 Encourage maximum use of the island's airport and harbor facilities. ●24.5 Encourage the development,maintenance,and enhancement of Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors as detailed within the State’s Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan.THIS COULDN’T BE MORE VAGUE AS A STATED OBJECTIVE.IT DOESN’T REFERENCE THE VERY PRACTICAL MATTERS OF ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR ISLAND.WHERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ACTUAL ECONOMY IN THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT ?THIS ALSO OMITS MENTION THAT A PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY WOULD BE THE RATIONALE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT KAWAIHAII AND HILO HARBORS.AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO HANDING OVER HARBORS TO THE STATE OF HAWAII WHERE THEY ARE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE ISLAND . ●24.6 Support the State’s objectives to acquire rights within the runway clear-zones,limit heights within approach zones,and restrict noise-sensitive uses within designated noise contours determined by the State.CONCERN:THIS APPEARS TO REFERENCE PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND SUGGESTS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD ‘SUPPORT’THE STATE TO RESTRICT USES AND ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS ‘NEAR TO AIRPORTS?’THIS AGAIN IS ONE MORE COMMUNIST LAND GRAB PRACTICE.THIS DOESN’T BELONG IN OUR COUNTY PLAN DOCUMENT FOR 2045. ●24.7 Future land uses in the vicinity of airports and harbors should have an adequate open space buffer and/or be compatible with the anticipated noise exposure and industrial nature in the vicinity. ●24.8 Encourage pedestrian-oriented connectivity around harbors and small boat harbors. ●24.9 Encourage master planning of small boat harbors to accommodate commercial and recreational fishing,tour boats,as well as business and recreational ocean activities,that balance economic vitality and environmental sensitivity.CONCERN THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE MANY USERS FROM ACCESS TO HARBORS (SAILING COMMUNITY,FISHING COMMUNITY HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGHER USER FEES AND MORE RESTRICTIONS OF USE IN RECENT YEARS)AND MANY OF THE HARBORS IN THE STATE HAVE BECOME PRIVATIZED.(If privatization occurs,then management controls everything..). Actions ●24.a Create a strategic improvement plan,including mapping,for County owned and/or managed boat harbors and develop an island-wide needs assessment to better serve regional gaps in ocean accesses. ●24.b Ensure collaboration with State agencies to offer a variety of transportation options at airports and harbors. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 123 4.3 PUBLIC UTILITIES 4.3 Public Utilities ●4.3.1 Introduction ●4.3.2 Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions ●4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation ●4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse ●4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure ●4.3.6 Electricity and Renewable Energy ●4.3.7 Telecommunications and Broadband Connectivity 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 124 4.3.1 Introduction In Hawaiʻi County’s pursuit of a prosperous and resilient future,public utilities stand as pillars of essential infrastructure.THERE IS A LOFTY CLAIM MADE BY THIS ENTIRE EXERCISE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DOCUMENT ITSELF REPRESENTS ANY KIND OF PLAN FOR A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE.THERE ARE MANY BUZZWORDS THAT ARE BEING USED IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT ARE HOLLOW.THESE WORDS THEMSELVES DON’T CONJURE UP A FUNCTIONING ECONOMY BUT THEY DO OFTEN GIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS THE WARM FEELING THAT THESE WORDS CAN ‘DO ALL THE WORK.’THIS DOCUMENT IS LACKING IN A GROUNDING OF ACTUAL ECONOMIC STUDY AND LACKS THE INSIGHTS INTO THE OBVIOUS WAYS THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM SECTOR AND ENCOURAGE NEW INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND. These are services regulated by the government and provided in response to existing and prospective patterns of development.Changes in land use,population density,and development usually generate changes in the demand and supply of utilities.As the backbone of modern society,public utilities encompass a wide range of vital services that support the health,safety, and sustainability of our communities.This critical infrastructure allows us to function in many ways,including the ability to maintain healthy living conditions,proper sanitation,and access reliable energy to power our homes and businesses. Public utilities play a key role in forming the foundation upon which social,economic,and environmental progress is built.Such essential services enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors,and businesses while safeguarding the natural resources and cultural heritage of our island.The significance of public utilities can be understood through their contributions in the areas of environmental sustainability,economic prosperity,and social well-being. Public utilities drive environmental stewardship by promoting clean energy generation,efficient water management,waste reduction,and recycling initiatives. AS PART OF GENERAL PLANNING AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICE,WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO AUDIT OF THE WASTEWATER DIVISION OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT?NO DOCUMENT PURPORTING TO PLAN AHEAD FOR 2O PLUS YEARS CAN COVER FOR THE FACT THAT MALADMINISTRATION AND POOR LEADERSHIP HAS LEAD TO MULTIPLE ‘FAILS’OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT WHERE LEAKS OCCURRED AND THE PUBLIC WASN’T ADEQUATELY INFORMED.THE PLAN SHOULD START WITH A MORE SERIOUS ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURES OF THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM. Through the application of sustainable practices and technologies,public utilities protect our fragile ecosystems,mitigate climate change impacts,and preserve the beauty of our island for future generations.HOW DO ‘PUBLIC UTILITIES’‘MITIGATE’‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ? This is an example of a wild overstatement and is not supported by fact.Additionally,robust and reliable infrastructure attracts investment,supports economic growth,and fosters job creation.From powering local industries to enabling efficient transportation networks,public utilities are catalysts for economic development,making our communities more resilient in the face of challenges.Waste to Energy incinerators have been opposed multiple times in the past in Hawaii County and each time a massive multi million dollar contract for construction of an incinerator was required which the public was going to be financing over many years.We notice that the Incinerator ‘Waste to Energy’proposal is in this County General Plan 2045 in spite of all the protests in the past.This history of pushing forward unpopular projects that have seen community objection and then forcing the property Access to safe and affordable utilities is a fundamental right of every individual. Really ??Who wrote this ?As a general comment,it has been pointed out repeatedly that this ‘General Plan’document is poorly written and has many flaws.Here we see misuse of the term ‘fundamental rights’where there is no such ‘fundamental right.’While ‘Safe and Affordable utilities’may be considered ‘essential’for a ‘standard of living’or to meet the definition of ‘economic prosperity’but use of the phrase ‘fundamental right’is a confusion of what the legal understanding is concerning ‘fundamental rights.’The ‘fundamental rights’of say ..‘freedom to move’ARE (as cited elsewhere in the transportation section)the rights that this document happily waives aside (ignoring the Constititution in the process). Further,there should be statistics included about what proportion of the island currently is ‘off grid’since that proportion is very high and those numbers would provide a necessary context for all discussion about proposals to provide utilities ‘affordably’AND ‘universally.’ Public utilities ensure equitable distribution of resources,allowing residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy necessities such as clean water,affordable energy,and accessible internet-based services.These services enhance public health,education,and overall quality of life,fostering thriving and inclusive communities.‘ As with previous comment,this entire section seems flawed due to lacking in facts.This statement reflects ‘wishes’rather than a series of steps toward an attainable goal. Given the unique challenges posed by our geography and vulnerable ecosystem,the General Plan aims to effectively guide the development,maintenance,and improvement of these critical services.This section of the Plan is primarily concerned with the planning aspects of our,water, wastewater,stormwater,electricity,and telecommunications systems.Planning for the location of utility facilities such as reservoirs,pumping stations,and sewage treatment plants is an important aspect of the land planning process,as it makes way for development opportunities. Where is the context for this statement?Here we see the notion of ‘development opportunities’ being introduced without context or explanation.This is objectionable since it could be interpreted by future administrations or legislatures as a ‘mandate’for growth while lacking any parameters. Unintegrated utilities can burden developments with lower levels of service and may limit or even prevent development.The integration and availability of public utilities in priority growth areas are imperative.CONCERN:Why isn’t this spelled out more ?Why is there no clear explanation here of what is meant by ‘priority growth area’. Changes in the intensity of land use greatly influence the quantitative design of utilities and services,particularly their design capacity.There may be distinctions in the type of services offered for each utility as land use intensities vary.These distinctions also depend on local codes and ordinances,health and sanitary considerations,and practices followed by utility companies. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 125 Table 33:Public Utilities Challenges General •Funding and financing the development,conversion,repair,operations,and maintenance of public utilities are central challenges for communities,developers,and county government.WHAT IS MISSING HERE IS REFERENCE TO THE IDEA THAT HOMEOWNERS WILL ALL BE ASKED TO PAY FOR CONVERSION FROM CESSPOOL/SEPTIC OVER TO ACTUAL COUNTY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.THIS TOPIC DESERVES A FULL DISCUSSION. DITTO WHAT IS CONCERNING IS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ‘DEVELOPMENT’OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.. •Any large infrastructure expansions are paid for by developers and the costs are not to scale for financing. •Geographical variability and obstacles require creative solutions for utility buildout. •Aging public utility infrastructure must become more resilient to natural hazards,extreme weather events,and climate change impacts.WHERE ARE THE CITED STUDIES PROVING THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING WEATHER EVENTS /CLIMATE WEATHER ?IN THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT WE SEE NONE REFERENCED. •Absent,aging,or dilapidated infrastructure limits new development where it is needed,consistent with strategic land use patterns and inhibits existing development.THIS SENTENCE IS POORLY WRITTEN WITH THE RESULT OF CONFUSING THE READER.WHY ARE WE LEFT WONDERING WHAT IS BEING SAID HERE? •Outdated utility systems and practices can pose environmental and health concerns and are expensive to change. •Disputes over water source capacity can prevent development where it is needed and consistent with desired development patterns. •Water commitments have been assigned to parcels that are not being developed or lack development potential.THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR ELSE EXPLAINED SO THAT THE MEANING IS CLEAR. •Guidelines for assigning water units per system need to be updated. •Modeling of water demand and potential demand needs to be closely aligned to land use.•The water systems serving,North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,and Puna will require additional water source development. •On-site wastewater disposal can adversely impact groundwater resources.THIS APPEARS TO BE A REFERENCE TO SEPTIC /CESS POOL SYSTEMS.ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. •Wastewater planning and policy primarily focus on maintaining and servicing existing systems and do not proactively plan for developing new systems to accommodate growth or to extend existing lines to align with urban zoning. •County policy has largely relied on private developers to develop commercial and private wastewater systems for new development,which ultimately leaves significant municipal service gaps in urban areas. •Many County wastewater systems may not be able to accommodate unserved,existing zoned capacity and projected growth. •Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing private systems or upgrades due to the insufficiency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. •Wastewater requirements hinder the redevelopment or rehabilitation of existing structures and are often seen as an affordable housing issue. •Treated wastewater is typically discharged into ocean waters or injected into the ground and is not generally reused. •Wastewater infrastructure improvement and development costs are not fiscally planned for,either in the County budget or through County wastewater fee valuation. •Individual wastewater systems (IWS)are associated with limitations and regulations.Currently,the Department of Health’s rules do not allow single-family dwellings and additional dwelling units (ADU)on a single IWS system. •Reliance on IWS is an impediment to compact development due to minimum lot size requirements for IWS,thereby contributing to sprawl. •Coastal residential neighborhoods without centralized wastewater are contaminating near-shore waters with pollution from IWS.ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. THIS SEEMS TO IMPLY A POLICY DIRECTIVE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO APPLY TO COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS ?IMPOSING FINES OR HIGH COSTS TO HOME OWNERS TO ADDRESS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MAINS SEWER OR EVEN SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN ROCKY TERRAIN WILL LEAD TO DELINQUENCY AND THEN FINES AND POTENTIAL SEIZURE OF PROPERTY.THIS IS A VERY ‘DANGEROUS’POLICY DIRECTIVE TO LEAVE AMBIGUOUS.THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE MUST BE EXPLORED AND CLEARLY STATED. THIS DOCUMENT IS CITING THE HUGE OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR ISLAND WHERE SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON CESSPOOLS.WHILE THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE BIO-REMEDIATION METHODS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL ‘WASTEWATER TREATMENT’NO STUDIES ARE INCLUDED,NO MENTION OF THESE KINDS OF OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED.BIO REMEDIATION WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BELONG IN A DOCUMENT LIKE THIS SINCE SUCH METHODS SHOULD BE EXPLORED AS A COST SAVING MEASURE AND DATA IS AVAILABLE TO DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVENESS.FURTHER THE IMPACT TO COASTAL ECO SYSTEMS OF INADEQUATELY TREATED WASTEWATER AND RAW SEWAGE ARE WORTHY OF MENTION HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT. TO CITE A WELL KNOWN EXAMPLE:THE ‘GENKI BALL’EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN SEVERAL POLUTED WATERWAYS IN HAWAII.MOST NOTABLY THE ‘GENKI BALLS’USED AT ALA WAI CANAL IN HONOLULU RESULTED IN BETTER WATER QUALITY AND FISH RETURNING TO THE AREA.WHERE A COMBINATION OF CULTURED ‘BOKASHI’AND CLAY WERE INTRODUCED TO THE WATERWAYS THUS BILLIONS OF MICROBES WERE RELEASED CAPABLE OF REDUCING ECOLI AND OTHER LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN THE WATER.THIS AND OTHER KINDS OF BIOREMEDIATION BELONGS IN A PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR HAWAII ISLAND. PAGE 126 •The looming deadline to convert cesspools to sewer or other IWS may create lack of local expertise to meet demand if not properly planned. •The future impacts of climate change on future rainfall volumes are uncertain.WHERE IS THE FACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS ‘MAN MADE CLIMATE CHANGE’? •Outdated codes limit the effectiveness of stormwater infrastructure and stormwater-related practices. •Water quality changes caused by non-point source pollution,human activities,erosion,and sediment transport can negatively impact environmental systems and processes. •A lack of incentives and flexibility exists in the permitting process for stormwater and green infrastructure. •There is a lack of a dedicated funding source for public systems. •There is a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. •The State of Hawaiʻi has the highest electricity rates in the United States. •Building codes,design perspectives,and construction practices can increase electrical demand. •There is a constant need to update and renovate electrical systems and infrastructure. •The adoption of renewable energy practices may offload environmental costs to other distant communities,which can offset positive climate action.POORLY WRITTEN ,AMBIGUOUS GENERALIZING STATEMENTS LIKE THIS DO NOT BELONG IN A COUNTY GENERAL PLAN .WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY THE TERM RENEWABLE ENERGY ‘PRACTICES?’WHAT ENVIRONMENT COSTS ARE REFERRED TO HERE?HOW ARE COSTS ‘OFFLOADED TO DISTANT COMMUNITIES’ HOW ARE THESE OFFSETTING ‘POSITIVE CLIMATE ACTION?’ •Renewable energy developments can be controversial,such as geothermal and wind turbines.THIS STATEMENT IS OBJECTIONABLE.THE REASON THESE ‘ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS’ARE ‘CONTROVERSIAL’IS THAT THEY HAVE INJURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HARM.WE NOTE THAT NUCLEAR POWER WAS IN THE ORIGINAL FIRST DRAFT OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL.IF MAKING A CASE FOR GEOTHERMAL OR WIND TURBINES (OR NUCLEAR ENERGY)OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ACKNOWLEDGING THE RISKS SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO THE PUBLIC. •Inadequate access disrupts efficiency and productivity and is a barrier to accessing public services and information.INADEQUATE ACCESS TO WHAT ?THIS IS A POOR SENTENCE AND IS AMBIGUOUS IN MEANING. •Last mile infrastructure is often the most costly and difficult segment to deploy,especially for rural areas where distances from a central distribution point are greater and population density doesn’t economically promote the deployment. •Consistent and accurate service data is needed to provide a constantly improving network for the island.THE STATEMENT ‘PROVIDING A CONSTANTLY ‘IMPROVING NETWORK’CAN BE INTERPRETED TO REFERENCE THE INCREASINGLY INTENSE LEVELS OF SIGNAL BEING ESTABLISHED.5 G WHILE BRINGING HIGHER SPEED LEVELS OF DATA TRANSFER IS PROVING TO POSE A HEALTH RISK TO HUMAN TISSUE.THE REGULATION OF 5G TOWERS WITH CONSIDERATIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AN URGENT ISSUE.WE NOTE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ZENDO KERN HAS RECENTLY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES THAT WILL NOT STRINGENTLY ENFORCE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY. •Providers seeking to deploy broadband infrastructure face multiple layers of permitting and approvals at both the State and County level,in addition to community opposition regarding the installation of telecommunications towers.SEE ABOVE COMMENT.THIS REFLECTS AN INTENTIONAL DISREGARD FOR SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ARE WIDELY DOCUMENTED AND CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION. •Limited competition in broadband service providers and transpacific backhaul providers means high consumer rates due to a lack of competition within the market.(???THIS IS JARGON THAT ISN’T EXPLAINED ) General •Pursue creative funding and financing tools such as Community Facilities Districts (CFD)and Improvement Districts,for utility development,conversion,repair,operations,and maintenance. THIS NEEDS BETTER EXPLANATION.‘CREATIVE FUNDING’IS AN OBJECTIONABLE TERM AND SOUNDS LIKE A PROCESS FOR SELLING OFF UTILITIES OR FINANCING CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE SO EITHER WAY,THE PUBLIC WILL PAY MORE FOR UTILITIES. •Ensure that utility development matches desirable development priorities. •Streamline the process of utility infrastructure development to achieve the highest possible level of service for our communities. •Lead the charge in resource conservation and assess creative solutions to incentivize resource conservation for the public. •Prioritize the conversion and modernization of outdated utility systems and practices. •Use an integrated approach to value all water as a resource (e.g.,drinking water, wastewater,stormwater). •Collaborate with asset management (e.g.,road resurfacing and utility upgrades).ASSET MANAGEMENT IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. •Explore public-private partnership opportunities to create circular systems.ANOTHER VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED.PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS USUALLY IS ANOTHER WORD FOR INCREASING PUBLIC DEBT WHILE GIVING AWAY PUBLIC ASSETS TO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.THIS IS MORE FROM THE PAGES OF SOCIALISM AND WE REJECT IT. •Increase partnerships and enhance collaboration with government,private and nonprofit agencies,and other stakeholders.HERE ‘OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED.PLEASE DEFINE IT CLEARLY OR TAKE IT OUT ALTOGETHER. •Explore innovative ways to fund water infrastructure improvements to attract development that is consistent with desired density and the land use pattern.AGAIN A REFERENCE TO ‘DESIRED DENSITY AND LAND USE PATTERNS’THIS HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAMINED IN THE PLANNING DOCUMENT AND IS BEING REFERENCE HERE AS A STANDARD •Seek creative funding for significant expansion of water systems to reach new customers in non-service areas. •Promote and practice water conservation practices to maximize efficient water use. •Adopt One Water recommendations to standardize interagency collaboration in planning for and managing water resources. •Rainfall collection can provide additional water capacity even where we have Department of Water Supply (DWS)systems.NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. •Align the Water Use Development Plan,Master Plan,General Plan,DWS Capital Improvements Program (CIP),DWS guidelines,DWS water commitments,and private improvements to the DWS system.NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. •Exercise some controls over the permitted uses within the defined zone of influence for downstream deep well sources.IN THIS GENERAL PLANNING DOCUMENT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MENTION OF THE IMPACT OF MILITARY ON THE SOIL,WATER AND AIR QUALITY.HERE A REFERENCE TO POLLUTERS UPSTREAM OF WATER SOURCES AND YET MILITARY IS NOT MENTIONED?POHAKULOA MILITARY BASE CONTINUES TO LEASE FOR $1 AND CONDUCTS LIVE FIRE TRAINING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ISLAND’S VAST AQUIFER.IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN FACT THAT DEPLETED URANIUM HAS BEEN SCATTERED ONTO THE BASE AND CONTINUES TO BE DISTURBED BY MILITARY ACTIVITIES UP THERE. •Encourage groundwater recharge from regional scale master planning to on-site best management practices such as low-impact development (LID). •Increase opportunities for recycled water.THIS SHOULD BE ELABORATED SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A DIRECTIVE.THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO BE CONSULTED ON SUCH MATTERS. •Prioritize sewer for sensitive urban areas. •Proactively seek grant funding to assist with wastewater development.AGAIN STATING THAT REFERENCING OVER AND OVER THE NEED FOR ‘WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT’WHILE DEDICATING NO TIME AND EFFORT TO EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BIO REMEDIATION IS A MAJOR OMMISSION •Advocate for expanding cesspool conversion tax credit to all cesspool conversions.THESE ARE MAJOR COSTS BEING PASSED ON TO HOME OWNERS. •Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as those for technology upgrades and innovation.THE TERM ‘PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP’IS A TERM ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED DEBT FOR THE PUBLIC AND A REDUCTION (USUALLY)IN HARD ASSETS THAT ARE HANDED OVER TO CORPORATE PRIVATE INTERESTS. •Promote the expanded use of greywater for landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge via rules for new construction and retrofits •Advocate to the Department of Health (DOH)to adopt appropriately scaled requirements and standards and develop flexible guidelines for designing and permitting wastewater systems that meet environmental objectives. •Low-pressure systems should be prioritized for retrofitting instead of gravity flow.•Higher-density development can contribute more to a centralized system.HERE AGAIN WE SEE AN ASSERTION THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HIGHER DENSITY AND THIS LACKS PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND YET Drinking Water Wastewater 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 128 Stormwater Electricity &Energy Telecommunications &Broadband •Increase availability and access to information about private wastewater treatment plant capacities or expansion opportunities. •Prioritize resiliency measures that support climate change impact scenarios. •Regularly amend County codes to be as current and innovative as possible. •Be a leader in prioritizing green infrastructure over gray infrastructure. •Ensure that stormwater infrastructure decisions align with related plans and the CIP budget. •Green infrastructure practices may provide opportunities for creating or expanding industry. •Prioritize the use of native plants in landscaping. •Promote and support the development of alternative energy production facilities. •Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management.THIS STATEMENT WARRANTS ELABORATION OR IT DOESN’T BELONG IN THIS DOCUMENT. •Hawaiʻi Island has the highest renewable energy percentage in the State and can continue to support renewable energy projects to decarbonize our energy system and stabilize electricity costs. WHAT DOES ‘DECARBONIZE OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ACTUALLY MEAN ?ELECTRIC CARS ON THE ISLAND ARE CHARGED AT STATIONS THAT RELY ON POWER FROM DIESEL FUEL GENERATORS.IN OTHER WORDS ELECTRIC CARS REMAIN DEPENDENT ON THOSE FOSSIL FUELS BUT WE SEE OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROMOTING ELECTRIC CARS AS PART OF AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STRATEGY.THE NOTION OF ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ IS FEEDING A MYTH ABOUT HOW RAPIDLY ‘WE’CAN TRANSFORM OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.THE IDEA OF ‘DECARBONIZING’THE ENERGY SYSTEM IS VERY VERY RADICAL AND IS COMING FROM A SOCIALIST MYTH THAT CARBON (THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE)IS ‘BAD’AND THAT SOMEHOW ‘CARBON’IS THE CAUSE OF WEATHER EVENTS AND ‘CLIMATE CHANGE.’THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS A RADICAL AGENDA TO ‘DECARBONIZE’OUR ENTIRE ENERGY SYSTEM. FURTHER,SINCE THIS WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE DISRUPTION TO THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SINCE IT IS IMPLIED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE DISCOURAGED FROM MOVING ABOUT ‘FREELY’THIS IS A RADICAL OVERHAUL OF OUR ECONOMY WHICH IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE MANY PAINFUL SHOCKS TO INDIVIDUALS,OHANA AND COMMUNITIES.THIS IS ABOUT THE CLEAREST EXAMPLE OF ‘RECKLESS’ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. WHAT IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING ABOUT SEEING THE COUNTY DOCUMENT LINE UP SO CLOSELY WITH DECLARED GOALS OF AN ELITE INSTITUTION REPRESENTING THE WEALTHIEST 1%OF OUR PLANET (‘THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’)IS THAT THIS ORGANIZATION APPOINTED ITSELF AS THE CUSTODIANS AND ARBITERS OF A PLAN TO BRING IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHICH IS THE MOST RADICAL OF ALL THE TRANSITIONS AT ANY TIME IN HISTORY AND BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A SERIES OF CRISES:PANDEMIC DISEASE, ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’THAT APPEAR AS A CRISIS AND ALSO FOOD SHORTAGES IN PART CAUSED BY INTERFERENCE WITH SUPPLY CHAIN THAT BEGAN WITH LOCKDOWNS IN 2020.THE CATCH PHRASE BY WEF LEADER KLAUS SCHWAB AT THE TIME OF INTRODUCING ‘THE GREAT RESET’ WAS ‘BY 2030 YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY.’ WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO TERMS SUCH AS ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ BECAUSE THIS IMPLIES THAT YOU HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE PUBLIC A)TO ASSERT THAT CARBON IS A PROBLEM AS IF THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS TOPIC WHEN THERE IS NOT AND B)TO TAKE EXTREMELY RADICAL AND DANGEROUS STEPS TO TRANSITION THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Support the County’s Broadband Initiative and coordination with the State to facilitate digital equity efforts (e.g.,establishing broadband as a public utility,infrastructure deployment,providing training support,and coordinating funding strategies for broadband and telecommunication services).AFTER 5G THERE IS 6G COMING .WITH EACH OF THE INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN THE INTENSITY OF THE FREQUENCY ILLNESSES AND TISSUE DAMAGE RESULTS CONSISTENT WITH ‘RADIATION POISONING’.THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT TO REVIEW SAFETY INFORMATION AND TO TAKE AN APPROACH THAT HAS A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE.THIS IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. •Compact development and higher population densities where appropriate are favorable for commercial service providers as they contribute to more economically viable market conditions.WHICH ‘COMMERCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS’IS THIS REFERENCING ?THIS STATEMENT NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED BETTER OR ELSE REMOVED FROM THIS SECTION. •Providing consistent and accurate digital literacy data will promote a desirable level of service for all residents.WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY DATA AND HOW WILL THIS PROMOTE A DESIREABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE ?IS ‘DIGITAL LITERACY DATA’A CLASS OF INFORMATION THAT COMES WITH VIGILANT PROTECTION OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL;THEIR PRIVACY AND THEIR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ?WITHOUT PROTECTION OF THIS KIND,IF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS WAIVING ON THE INVASIVE DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES OF THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY,THEN IT MAY BE ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND.WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE PRIMACY OF SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE WRITTEN INTO THIS GENERAL PLAN.THERE IS A LOT OF DATA TO SUPPORT THAT WHEN THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPROMISED,THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENDANGERED AND TYRANNY WILL LIKELY RESULT. THESE ARE THE REASONS THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT IS FLAWED:WE DON’T SEE CARE TAKEN BY OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS’HEALTH AND SAFETY.. •Increasing digital inclusion efforts,which focus on ensuring both access to and ability to use a range of technologies,will contribute to better outcomes for health,public safety,economic opportunity,and civic participation.THE TERM ‘digital inclusion’IS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT MORE ACCESS TO 5G AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH IS A POSITIVE THING.THIS PREMISE IS WIDELY PROMOTED IN THIS POLICY DOCUMENT AND YET NO SAFETY STUDIES ARE CITED. •Streamlining permitting and approval processes will improve the efficiency of broadband and telecommunication development and delivery.THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF A LOOSE SET OF GUIDELINES FOR TOWER PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. •Pursue partnerships to develop public spaces with broadband access.THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF AN OBJECTIVE THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 129 4.3.2 Public Utilities Goal,Objective,Policies, and Actions Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure,utilities,and services based on existing and future growth needs,sound design principles,and effective maintenance practices. Objective 25 Improve the efficiency,reliability,and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. Policies ●25.1 Public utility facilities shall be designed at a scale that meets the needs of future development.IN THIS DOCUMENT SO FAR,THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT AN ACTUAL FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY,ON THE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT,HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CONSIDERED.WHY IS THERE AN EMPHASIS ON ‘FUTURE DEVELOPMENT’WITHOUT THE MAIN FOCUS BEING ECONOMIC GROWTH? ●25.2 Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and effectively serve the needs of the community. ●25.3 Utility facilities shall be designed to complement adjacent land uses and minimize pollution or disturbance of the natural environment and natural resources. ●25.4 Improvement of existing utility services shall be encouraged to meet the needs of users.THIS IS MEANINGLESS.WHY IS THIS SENTENCE NECESSARY ? ●25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS IDEOLOGY.IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT IT NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR WHAT IT IT:‘SMART CITY’ PROPAGANDA.STACK EM AND PACK EM HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE A PART OF THE PLAN AND THIS IS A RADICAL COMMUNIST AGENDA THAT WE REJECT. IT IS THROUGHOUT THIS DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING.THE SMART CITIES THAT ARE BEING DESIGNED GLOBALLY ARE ANOTHER REFLECTION OF WEF STATED GOALS TO CREATE URBAN CENTERS WHERE SURVEILLANCE AND CARBON MONITORING FORM THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CONFINING PEOPLE AND PREVENTING THEM FROM MOVING ABOUT FREELY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TRAITOROUS PROPOSAL TO FIND IN A DOCUMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERING TO OUR ISLAND A PLAN FOR OUR WELL BEING AS A COMMUNITY,FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH,AND FOR THE CARE OF OUR ‘AINA. ●25.6 Develop short-and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. ●25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. Actions 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 130 4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation The Hawaiʻi State Constitution provides that all public natural resources,including water,are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people.The State Constitution further maintains that “the State has an obligation to protect,control,and regulate the use of Hawaiʻi’s water resources for the benefit of its people.”Water availability is crucial to any type of development, whether urban,rural,or agricultural.Water availability is based on the sustainable yields of the groundwater hydrologic units established through the State Water Code.1 Land use allocation must be closely related to water availability,including the quantity and quality of the water,and the adequacy of the transmission and distribution system.The General Plan requires an understanding of water availability and capacity,current demands,and future demands based on planned and anticipated future growth and land uses.‘ The County’s Department of Water Supply (DWS)is the primary agency that manages,controls, and operates the water supplies of the County and its properties.There are 23 individual water systems distributed throughout the island.Water demand is directly related to population and industry usage and is expressed as gallons per day (gpd)or million gallons per day (mgd). Demand does not represent domestic consumption alone,but also includes all agricultural, industrial,and commercial uses,fire protection,and other uses.In some areas,however, non-domestic users are likely to create the major demand,and careful attention must therefore be given in any study of probable future water needs. In Hawaiʻi,there are a multitude of public agencies that are either actively tasked with regulating water resources or whose policies affect water use.There are also a number of private entities that use and manage water resources.Over the decades,water management has become segregated in a way that has created disjointed,mechanical approaches to a naturally continuous resource.The disconnection has included narrow perspectives that fail to see the larger picture.Hawaiʻi County aspires to achieve water resource management that is free from the limitations and issues of siloed practices,processes,agencies,and government bodies.Achieving a One Water approach in Hawaiʻi County includes actionable steps that can be adapted and adjusted to localize the One Water strategies. QUESTION :WHY IS A PRIVATE COMPANY BEING SOLD THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER IN HILO ?WHY ISN’T A PLANNING DOCUMENT CONCERNED WITH FUTURE WATER ACCESS CLEAR THAT NO WATER IS TO BE ‘SOLD’OR COMMERCIALIZED SINCE IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII? One Water One Water is a strategy that integrates the management of stormwater,wastewater,groundwater,sea water,freshwater,graywater,and recycled water to create resource and financial efficiencies.One Water will help the County of Hawaiʻi address climate change impacts by creating cross-agency coordination and advancing the capacity within agencies. ANY PREMISE USED TO CONTROL WATER ACCESS,WATER RIGHTS WHETHER BY A CORPORATION OR A GOVERNMENT MUST BE REJECTED.WATER IS AN INCREASINGLY PRIVATISED COMMODITY ACROSS THE WORLD.THIS SHOULD CONCERN US.IT ALREADY SEEMS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT ON THE ONE HAND APPLICANTS HAVE REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED VIA A COUNTY PERMITTING PROCESS TO PURCHASE THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER FROM OUR MAUNA KEA AQUIFER AND ON THE OTHER HAND THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE PROMOTING CONTROL OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN A CENTRALIZED FASHION INVOLVING MULTIPLE ‘UNDISCLOSED AGENCIES’ FURTHER,AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNTY OF HAWAII WILL ADDRESS ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS’WHEN THE VERY PREMISE OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY MULTIPLE LEADING AUTHORITIES AND IS THE SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY DUE TO THE LACK OF HARD EVIDENCE THAT ‘CARBON’IS THE CAUSE OF ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’AND ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’THAT APPEAR TO REPRESENT AN EMERGENCY. Objective 26 Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water. Policies ●26.1 All public water systems shall be designed and built to the DWS dedication standards.All other systems shall meet all relevant health and safety regulations and be designed and constructed by a licensed engineer. ●26.2 Water sources shall be protected to prevent depletion and contamination from natural and man-made occurrences or events. ●26.3 An effort by County,State,and private interests shall be coordinated to identify sources of additional water supply to be implemented and ensure the development of sufficient quantities of water for existing and future needs of high-growth areas and agricultural production. ●26.4 Installation or rehabilitation of water distributions shall be sized to adequately meet fire protection. ●26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. ●26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+units)in the North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,South Kona,and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation,recharge,and reuse measures to reduce the water footprint. ●26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. ●26.8 Water system improvements,including exploratory wells,shall correlate with the County's desired land use development pattern. ●26.9 The DWS shall prioritize infill development and focus source development to serve designated Urban Growth Areas. ●26.10 Waterdemandprojectionsshallincludeallconsumptiveandnon-consumptivedemands. ●26.11 TheDWSandthePlanningDepartmentshallcoordinateprioritiesbeforetheadoptionofanynew water development or County land use plans. ●26.12 AllCountypotablewatersystemsshouldhavebackupstandbysources. One Water ●26.13 Treat all water as a valuable resource in community design,and integrate designs for drinking water,stormwater,and recreational water needs.CONCERN:AN EXAMPLE OF YET MORE POORLY EXPRESSED LANGUAGE THAT SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE. WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘RECREATIONAL WATER NEEDS?’ ●26.14 Managewater,stormwater,andwastewaterasthesamenaturalresourceincollaborationwithth e DWS,DEM,DPW,and DOH. ●26.15 New developments should be designed to reduce water demand,retain runoff, decrease flooding,and recharge groundwater. ●26.16 Supportlocalized,small-scalesolutionstowaterreuseandon-sitesystems. Actions 26.a In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conduct further research on localized rainfall modeling to accurately assess future precipitation trends. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 132 ●26.b Expand water conservation programs,primarily aimed at reducing demand,such as leak detection,and rebates for low flow. ●26.c Evaluate and amend the fee schedule for water use to take into account high water use and aquifer recharge projections.Use the funds generated to pay for conservation measures and infrastructure. ●26.d Improve County water conservation practices to lead by example. ●26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield,present and future demand, alternative sources of water,guidelines,and policies for the issuing of water commitments. ●26.f Collaborate with the DOH to develop standards and/or guidelines for the construction and use of rainwater catchment systems to minimize the intrusion of any chemical and microbiological contaminants. ●26.g Promote the use of groundwater sources to meet DOH water quality standards. ●26.h Seek state and federal funds to assist in financing projects to bring the County into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. ●26.i Explore the feasibility of incentive methods such as property tax deductions, conservation easements,or transfer of development rights to protect the defined zone of influence of existing or proposed public and private wells.AGAIN THIS SEEMS TO REFER VAGUELY TO THE PRIVATISATION OF WATER AND CONVERSELY TO PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY CONSIDERED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.UNDER A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM ONE COULD EASILY EXPECT THAT A GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CRAFTING POLICY IN SUCH A WAY THAT TRANSFER OF PROPERTY FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FACILITATED. ●26.j Investigate alternative financing options for expanding water systems to support infill growth consistent with the County’s desired land use development pattern.AGAIN THIS IS A VAGUE REFERENCE WHEN THAT SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AMBIGUOUS AND THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES THE VALUE OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT. ●26.k Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders to develop,improve,and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. ●26.l Continue to participate in the United States Geological Survey (USGS)exploratory well drilling program. ●26.m Expand programs to provide agricultural irrigation water. One Water ●26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial,industrial,and residential properties. ●26.o Codify the administrative structure needed to develop a water resource program and interdepartmental collaboration framework. ●26.p Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders to develop and facilitate community partnerships between upstream and downstream communities. ●26.q Develop public-private partnerships to leverage funding sources. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 133 Table 35:Water System Standards Domestic Consumption Guidelines Zoning Designation Residential:Single-Family or Duplex Multi-Family Commercial Resort Light Industry Schools and Parks Agriculture •• Average Daily Demand 400 gals/unit 400 gals/unit 3000 gals/acre 400 gals/unit or 17,000 gal/acre 4000 gals/acre 4000 gals/acre or 60 gals/student 3400 gals/acre A unit,or,more precisely,one Equivalent Unit (EU)of water allows for an average daily usage of up to 400 gallons per day and a maximum daily usage of up to 600 gallons on any day but the average is still not allowed to exceed 400 gallons per day. One EU is typically served through a 5/8-inch meter and is considered adequate for a single-family home or dwelling and allows for some landscape or gardening usage. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 134 4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse The General Plan recognizes the significance of wastewater treatment and reuse as essential components of the County’s comprehensive water management strategy.Adequate sewer systems are vital to maintain public health and protect the environment.As communities generate wastewater through various sources such as residential,commercial,and industrial activities,effective treatment is necessary to remove harmful pollutants and contaminants before the water is discharged back into the environment.Improperly treated wastewater can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems,coastal waters,and freshwater resources, jeopardizing both human and ecological health. An adequate system minimizes contamination of both the groundwater supply and coastal waters,beaches,and waterborne recreational areas and is not a visual and odor nuisance. Land development plans for resort-residential complexes located in shoreline areas pose a potential water quality problem for adjacent near-shore waters.Adequate treatment facilities are essential prerequisites for development. HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT WITH NO REFERENCE TO BIO REMEDIATION AND WITH THE SHEER VOLUME OF HOUSEHOLDS OPERATING OFF GRID,THIS DOCUMENT IS CREATING ‘CRIME’OUT OF REGULAR HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS.THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A POLICY DIRECTIVE TO MANDATE/FORCE HOUSEHOLDS TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR RURAL ISLAND IS A VERY RECKLESS DIRECTION TO TAKE. REFER PREVIOUS COMMENTS 1)AN AUDIT SHOULD BE DONE OF THE CURRENT WASTEWATER DIVISION 2)ALTERNATIVE BIOREMEDIATION METHODS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FINDINGS PUBLISHED.MORE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IS NEEDED BEFORE THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE WOULD BE ADOPTED SINCE IT WILL LIKELY BRING GREAT FINANCIAL STRAIN TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS AND REQUIRE ONEROUS LEVELS OF ‘ENFORCEMENT.’ Wastewater reuse,also known as water recycling or reclaimed water,involves treating wastewater to a level suitable for non-potable uses.Reusing treated wastewater provides an opportunity to conserve precious freshwater resources and reduce the strain on existing water supplies.For Hawaiʻi Island,where freshwater resources are limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts,the implementation of wastewater reuse projects becomes vital for ensuring water sustainability.By implementing appropriate treatment processes,treated wastewater can be used for a range of purposes,including irrigation of agricultural lands,landscape irrigation, industrial processes,and groundwater recharge.This practice helps meet non-drinking water needs,reducing the reliance on freshwater sources for non-potable purposes and leaving more available for essential uses like drinking water.THERE IS NO MENTION HERE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MUST ACCOMPANY SUCH USES OF TREATED WASTEWATER. The County operates municipal sewerage in Hilo,Pāpaʻikou,Kapehu,Pepeʻekeo,Honokaʻa, Kealakehe,and Kaloko.The remaining communities are served by private wastewater treatment facilities or individual facilities,such as cesspools or septic tanks.In 2017,the Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed Act 125,mandating that all Hawaiʻi’s cesspools be replaced by 2050. Cesspools are substandard sewage disposal systems as they do not treat wastewater. According to the latest report on the Hawaiʻi Cesspool Hazard Assessment and Prioritization Tool,Hawaiʻi Island contains an estimated 48,596 cesspools.Sewerage disposal system designs must be examined with the particular region in mind.Of critical importance in an examination of sewerage disposal for a community is the cost of the system,including construction and operation costs.These costs vary with the characteristics of each area. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 legislated the protection of all aquifers or portions of aquifers currently serving as drinking water sources and any other aquifer capable of yielding consumable water.This mandate was based on a national concern for the quality of the groundwater and the increasing evidence of contamination of this valuable resource. In 1976,the State Legislature enacted Act 84,relating to safe drinking water,which requires the State Department of Health (DOH)to establish an underground injection control program to protect the quality of the State’s underground sources of drinking water.Because of the importance ofgroundwater as a source of municipal water supplies,the underground injection control program is considered a beneficial approach in the identification of aquifers that should be protected from subsurface disposal of wastewater through injection wells. HERE AGAIN THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE PRIMARY POLLUTER OF THE AQUIFER : THE MILITARY BASE ON POHAKULOA.THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF TESTING WATER QUALITY AND TESTING FOR CONTAMINANTS.THIS IS ANOTHER DIVISION OF OUR COUNTY THAT SHOULD BE AUDITED.WHY IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT A MILITARY POTENTIAL ‘SUPER FUND SITE’OPERATING ABOVE A PRISTINE AQUIFER? The protection of these aquifers is established by designating areas currently being used or will be used in the future for drinking water supply.The Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW)will be protected from pollution by prohibiting the construction of new injection wells that may pollute the USDW.Injection wells are allowed in exempted areas.The boundary lines between the USDW and the exempted areas have been developed.**PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION OR ELSE TAKE OUT THIS EXEMPTION REFERENCE.THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE BETTER INFORMED UPON READING THIS PLAN,NOT LEFT IN THE DARK TO WONDER .Under Chapter 62,Wastewater Systems,the DOH adopted a 1,000-foot setback of wastewater systems from all public drinking water wells and springs. In compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92-500),the DOH and the County jointly prepared the Water Quality Management Plan for Hawaiʻi County in 1978 and subsequently updated the plan in 1980.In 1979,the County Council adopted the plan through a resolution to serve as the planning guide for the development of regional waste treatment systems and the control of non-point sources of pollution.To implement the management plan,the County has prepared facility plans for various areas on the island.Facility plans are developed by the County to satisfy a requirement for the application of loans from the State to develop wastewater treatment facilities.The facility plans identify problems,potential solutions,and costs. In 1985,the State Legislature enacted Act 282,Relating to Environmental Quality,which reassigns the County,effective July 1,1987,or upon receipt of State funds,to assume complete administration and implementation for the regulation of sewerage and wastewater treatment system programs. Source:Hawaiʻi News Now (2022). 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 136 Objective 27 Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality. Policies ●27.1 A Sewerage Study for All Urban Areas,including appropriate water quality management strategies,shall be completed and used as guides for the general planning of sewerage disposal systems. ●27.2 Private treatment systems shall be installed by land developers for major resorts and other developments along shorelines and sensitive higher inland areas,except where connection to nearby treatment facilities is feasible and compatible with the County’s long-range plans,and in conformance with State and County requirements. ●27.3 Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant sites,sewerage pump station sites,and sewer easements according to the facility plans to facilitate their acquisition. ●27.4 The County shall obtain State and Federal funds to finance the construction of proposed sewer systems and improve existing systems. ●27.5 Plans for wastewater reclamation and reuse for irrigation and biosolids composting (remaining solids from the treatment of wastewater are processed into a reusable organic material)shall be utilized where topographically feasible and needed for landscaping,agricultural purposes,or fire protection. Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ●27.6 Pollution shall be prevented,abated,and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal, State,and County standards. ●27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas (UGA)with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. ●27.8 The Department of Environmental Management and the Planning Department shall coordinate priorities before the adoption of any new wastewater development or land use plans. ●27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion, improvements,and new development. ●27.10 Ensurewastewaterfeesreflectactualcostsforservice,maintenance,andfutureimprovements. ●27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies,prevent accidental leaks or spills,and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting natural resources. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ●27.12 Striveforanintegratedapproachtostormwaterandwastewater,andwaterresourcemanageme nt that is comprehensive and as efficient as possible. ●27.13 Encourageon-sitewaterreusesolutionsforlargedevelopments. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 137 27.14 Encourageandincentivizethecollectionofrainfallfornon-potableuse. 27.15 PrioritizetheuseofgraywaterinareasconnectedtoCountywaterandnotconnectedtoCounty wastewater. Actions Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ●27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. ●27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district (CFD)or tax increment financing (TIF)to aid in implementation. ●27.c Review,assess,and amend Codes relating to sewer connection requirements to ensure wastewater issues and requirements are addressed in a consistent,sustainable, and socially equitable way. ●27.d Develop a wastewater master plan with a clear prioritization method for wastewater system expansions and improvements based on criteria involving land use,projected growth,social equity,and environmental factors. ●27.e Develop plans to improve,connect,or develop new wastewater systems in unsewered urban coastal communities. ●27.f Perform a study to assess individual wastewater systems (IWS)in unsewered urban growth areas to assess the rate of failures/negative impacts,determine rates of large capacity cesspools still in use,and develop plans to improve,connect,or develop new wastewater systems for unsewered urban communities. ●27.g Proactively seek opportunities for public-private partnerships for wastewater collection and treatment development. ●27.h Facilitate the use of infrastructure improvement districts and other types of localized funding mechanisms to fund improvements. ●27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. ●27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water model fee structure). ●27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems.Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries,urban zoning and density,population trends and anticipated growth, health/safety,and environmental factors. ●27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. ●27.m Amend the County Code,Section 21-26-1(a)requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council”to read,“all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” REFERRING AGAIN TO CONCERNS THAT THIS IS AN UNFEASIBLE COST TO REGULAR HOUSEHOLDS.THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING POLICY DIRECTIVE AND AS ACKNOWLEDGED HERE,MORE STUDIES WOULD BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING SUCH POLICIES..SO WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS EMPHASIS IN THE GENERAL PLAN ? 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 138 ●27.n In collaboration with the DOH Wastewater Branch,reevaluate and clarify the requirements set forth in Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR),Section 11-62-31.1(a)(1) (B)and amend County sewer requirements accordingly to accommodate needed housing units. ●27.o Collaborate with the DOH to advance progressive wastewater technology and regulations. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ●27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture,develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. ●27.q Install non-potable systems,such as reclaimed wastewater,brackish groundwater, and untreated surface water in proximity to priority UGAs for non-potable water uses. ●27.r Conduct supply and demand studies to determine a level of service for non-potable water needs. ●27.s Facilitate greywater reuse systems through code amendments and through partnering with DOH for regulatory changes and incentives. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 139 4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure Stormwater management and the implementation of green infrastructure are critical elements of the General Plan for their vital role in sustainability on Hawaiʻi Island.As an island ecosystem with limited freshwater resources and vulnerable coastal areas,managing stormwater effectively and integrating green infrastructure practices are essential for preserving our water resources and ensuring environmental sustainability. Stormwater refers to the runoff from precipitation that flows over land surfaces,eventually entering water bodies such as streams,rivers,and oceans.Stormwater is a crucial element of the island’s overall water landscape.While precipitation may be an obvious contributor to stormwater,all the phases of the hydrologic cycle are related to stormwater and are influenced by public utility decisions made in the built environment.Precipitation and surface runoff are often the phases of the hydrologic cycle that people recognize as stormwater,whereas evaporation,transpiration,and condensation are not as easily observed processes. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can lead to various detrimental effects on water resources and ecosystems.Polluted runoff,also known as nonpoint source pollution,from agriculture,urban development,forestry,recreational boating,marinas,and hydromodification activities is the leading cause of water pollution in waters across the country and in Hawaiʻi.Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can also lead to localized flooding,causing damage to infrastructure,property, and even loss of life.Implementing stormwater management strategies helps to control the flow of stormwater,reducing the risk of flooding and associated hazards.Moreover,excessive stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion,leading to the loss of fertile topsoil,sedimentation in water bodies,and degradation of natural habitats.Proper stormwater management practices, including erosion control measures, help minimize erosion and preserve the island’s natural resources. Stormwater is a prime example of the unavoidable connections that exist between the built environment and the natural environment.Increasing the opportunities for infiltration and transpiration can reduce the amount of evaporation that surface runoff requires.The social, environmental,and economic impacts of stormwater infrastructure have meaningful implications for our overall island sustainability as water is one of the most precious resources. Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering efficiency in conveying stormwater runoff using impervious surfaces (e.g.,paved swales,channelized streams)must be balanced against environmental considerations.If the drainage is directed to streams,excessive freshwater volumes and sediment loads may impact coastal water resources (e.g.,degrade water quality and smother coral reefs).If the drainage is directed to injection wells,more studies are needed to determine the impact of storm runoff on groundwater quality.Sediment basins,wetlands,or less impervious methods of conveyance (e.g.,grass swales)should be considered where feasible to reduce nonpoint source pollution of the coastal waters from stormwater runoff and filter infiltrating water. Green infrastructure refers to the network of natural or engineered features that manage stormwater while providing additional benefits to the environment and community.Such features may include rain gardens,permeable pavement,bioswales,and vegetated buffers.Green infrastructure is crucial for stormwater management,as it captures and absorbs runoff,reducing the volume and rate of runoff.By mimicking natural hydrological processes like sediment filtration and bioremediation,it helps to recharge groundwater,replenish streams,and 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 140 reduce stress on our water resources during periods of heavy rainfall. CONCERN:HERE AT LEAST WE SEE REFERENCES TO BIOREMEDIATION.WHY IS THIS ‘ACCEPTABLE’AS A STRATEGY WHERE TREATMENT OF WATER RUN OFF IS CONCERNED BUT NEVER ENTERTAINED IN THE MATTER OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT (A ‘SOLUTION’AND POLICY DIRECTIVE HERE WHICH THREATENS TO BE COST PROHIBITIVE TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS?) By retaining and infiltrating stormwater,green infrastructure reduces the reliance on freshwater sources for irrigation,thus conserving water resources.This is particularly important for our island communities where freshwater availability is limited.Green infrastructure features may also provide habitats for native plants and wildlife.They contribute to biodiversity conservation and help restore and enhance Hawaiʻi Island’s natural ecosystems.Green infrastructure plays a key part in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, moderating temperatures,and increasing resilience to extreme weather events.These measures align with the County’s sustainability goals and efforts to adapt to climate change. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 141 Page 166 34.15 Encourage the expansion of digital access and equity through the resilient buildout of broadband infrastructure and facilities.Does this take into account the safety of 5G+?Is this to facilitate surveillance of citizens in the future? Page167 34.a Implement a Safe Route to School (SR2S)program for all schools.Will surveillance be implemented to ensure safety? Page169 4.4.6 Recreation Housing developers should not bear a disproportionate burden,or be forced to contribute more than their fair share,as inequitable requirements could deter needed housing development.This proviso seems to favor developers. Page171 35.a Provide funding for planning and acquisition,if necessary,of key corridor segments after corridor-zone plans are adopted.Does this preclude the rezoning and acquisition of private property? 35.k Maintain an on-going program of identification,designation,and acquisition of areas with existing or potential recreational resources,such as land with sandy beaches and other prime areas for shoreline recreation in collaboration with government,private and non profit agencies, and other stakeholders.Please include private property owners in your definition of stakeholders. Page 175 4.4.7 Encouraging the establishment of farmers’markets,community gardens,and a range of agricultural activities can promote local food production and improve access to fresh nutritious food.Please include home gardens. Page 177 36.g Support the distribution of telehealth support services,particularly to unserved and underserved communities.Encourage instead person to person contact. 36.j Amend the County Code to designate a lead agency for coordinating and responding to outbreaks of life-threatening,highly communicable diseases pursuant to the DOH direction. While ensuring the statues of the Nuremberg Code are observed. Page 179 4.5.1 Blueprint for the creation of a 15 minute island,clustering us together in “a centralized, higher-density urban infill,supported by nearby,accessible public and private services and facilities.” Page 181 Under Housing Challenges Targets:“Homeownership for investment purposes that are kept vacant or used for transient accommodation rentals reduces available stock for long term resident ownership and rental opportunities.” Prohibits and discourages the rights of private ownership. Page 182 37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UBG)should be prioritized for residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside the UBG are converted into urban uses. With the consent of property owner should be included. Page183 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. 38.a Perform existing housing inventory data analysis to identify structural conditions and needs for rehabilitation or demotion. Both justify the necessity of more surveillance of the community.38.a also precludes the private property owner’s rights and opinions.Take this out or revise. Page 184 39.5 Allow for and apply property tax and land use regulations to incentivize private property owners to provide affordable housing units in mix-use and urban areas and to discentivize the land banking of unimproved properties. In other words land use regulations and property tax hikes will be weaponized against the private property owner.TAke this out or revise! Page185 Table 40:Additional Infrastructure -Provide adequate broadband without invading people’s privacy. Ensuring future surveillance capabilities? Page188 40.8 Require all County Departments to collaborate with the County Office of Sustainability, Climate,Equity,and Resilience (OSCER)as the lead agency to ensure the integration of the County’s goals of sustainability,climate resilience,and equity into all county operations and planning initiatives. To whom does OSCER answer?Who’s watching the watchdog? THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023.IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC AS AN AGENCY THAT COULD ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE GRANTED EXTRA POWERS AS AN ADMIINISTRATIVE ARM OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO THE LANGUAGE ‘REQUIRING’‘ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS’TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSCER. THE COUNTY’S ‘GOALS’OF sustainability,climate resilience,and equity HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY DEBATED IN OUR COMMUNITY .WE CHALLENGE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS MATTER AND WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE OSCER ‘AGENCY’TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE ABOVE.WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO STAGE A FULL PUBLIC REVIEW OF BOTH SETS OF DATA AND BOTH ARGUMENTS THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE CRISIS CAUSED BY CARBON THE ‘Office of Sustainability,Climate,Equity,and Resilience (OSCER)’BEGINS WITH A FLAWED AND DISPUTED PREMISE THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE ‘CRISIS’AND THAT THE OTHER 3 ‘PILLARS’OF THE ORGANIZATION (SUSTAINABILITY,EQUITY AND RESILLIENCE)BELONG TOGETHER AS PART OF A ‘SOLUTION.’ WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘SUSTAINABILITY’IS THAT THIS WORD LEADS THE IDENTICAL AGENDAS OF CONTROLLING LAND USE,WATER RIGHTS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACE,THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL,FARMING AND PASTURING OF ANIMALS AND FOOD SECURITY.THESE BUZZWORDS ARE COMING FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND THE UNITED NATIONS.ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION AND ‘NET ZERO’PROMOTE A DANGEROUS AGENDA OF OVERRIDING SOVEREIGN HOME RULE LOCAL COUNTIES AND STATES AND REPLACING WITH ‘GLOBAL AGENDAS’WHICH ARE BRINGING IN ‘COMMUNIST’VALUES AND SYSTEMS OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DESTRUCTION OF SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSETS. WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘EQUITY’IS THAT IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING A WAY OF WAVING ON A COMMUNIST STYLE OF ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS WHICH PROMOTES LARGER PORTION OF THE POPULATION BEING ON WELFARE AND DIVERSITY HIRE PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE MEDIOCRITY AND NOT MERITOCRACY. THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ALSO HAS COME TO BE ANOTHER ‘BUZZ WORD’THAT IS A RATIONALE FOR THE CATCH PHRASE ‘BUILD BACK BETTER’AND THE IDEA THAT MORE RIGOROUS BUILDING CODES,MORE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE BUILDING COSTS AND INSURANCE COSTS WILL FOLLOW IN THE AFTERMATH OF EACH ‘DISASTER.’ ELSEWHERE IN THIS DOCUMENT THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE PREMISE THAT THE RECENT FIRE IN LAHAINA WAS ‘NORMAL’AND THAT THE RESULTING LOCKDOWNS AND FAILURE OF GREEN ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS TO REBUILD ARE ALSO ‘NORMAL.’TO THE CONTRARY,WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN LAHAINA FOR THE PAST 13 MONTHS EXEMPLIFIES THE WAY THAT THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’HAS COME TO MEAN ‘CONTROL OF A POPULATION AFTER A DISASTER TO THE POINT THAT MANY WILL BE DISPLACED AND WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE THE AREA,FINDING NO WAY TO REBUILD AND RESTORE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOOODS.’ Page194 Resulting in Longer Commutes:There are notable mismatches between locations of high population and job centers. Further justification for clustering in population centers.Further policy directive to justify curtailing personal independent transportation options.This again is objectionable and shows contempt for a fundamental constitutional right and as such has no place in a policy document published by this County Administration. Page 196 Table 43:Economic Opportunities /General Increase broadband infrastructure to provide opportunities for participation in the digital economy while allowing for other economic alternatives. CBDC’s here we come! Page 206 46.i Partner with government,private and non profit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders for carrying capacity studies of fisheries and the establishment of State community-based subsistence fishing areas. More restrictions on fishing rights.Oddly in 5.3 Agriculture and Food Systems there is no mention at all of hunting and gathering. Page 210 Wahi Pana Need assurances our wahi pana and other natural assets will be protected from commodification and collateralization. Page 213 49.1 [Encourage the][i]ntegrat[ion][of]ʻāina-place-based values 49.2 [Encourage]the accessibility 49.3 [Promote]a visitor industry 49.5 [Encourage]regenerative tourism efforts 49.6 [Foster]initiatives and improve[d]efforts 49.h and farmers,homeowners,and other residents to develop and support place-based educational programs COMMENT:FINALLY HERE IS A DIRECTIVE THAT SPEAKS TO SUPPORTING THE EXISTING ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE ON THIS ISLAND.THE FACT THAT THIS IS SHOWING UP ON PAGE 214 SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ANYONE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS SUPPOSED TO GUIDE THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE.THE OPENING SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE EXISTING CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF THE ISLAND.THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT AND HELP GROW IN THIS AREA WOULD BE ALL Page 215 6.1 para 2 presenting [residents a true voice]for the future of Hawaii Island. 1 [where citizens collaborate with the County to effect change consistent with plans developed under this chapter.] 3 Ensure consistency among the General Plan and respective regional plans [What are regional plans?] 4 set forth in the General Plan’s [Should this be plural or possessive?] 5 Establish an implementation system that is based on county-wide,regional,and agency levels [What are regional and agency levels?] Page 216 Top para by promoting [economic]growth, 2nd para collaboration among various [residents] “Key areas of focus include fostering [understanding of the role of government in] ensuring community engagement and input,securing funding,and coordinating priorities. Page217 6.2.1 Para 1 Community Development Plan Framework During the General Plan Comprehensive Review process,existing community plans were used to guide the CDP framework.From the adoption of the Kona,Puna,North and South Kohala CDPs in 2008,Kaʻū CDP in 2017,and Hāmākua CDP in 2018,there has been much to learn and grow from as we look to the future.The General Plan also benefited from years of collective participation in CDP implementation efforts through regional committees that implement their respective CDP.[NOTE:Hilo was not included in this CFP framework.Although there had been Hilo meetings in the past that dealt with some issues contained in the General Plan,no mechanism was put in place that paralleled the multi-year single-purpose work that was undertaken in the other six districts.] Para 2 To build on these lessons learned,future CDPs[,which it is hoped will include a CDP for Hilo,]shall be drafted The purpose of a CDP is threefold: 3.Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue [through open-forum townhalls where vigorous question-answer format is primary,eliciting the priorities of the community.] Page 218 6.Social Capital and Community Network Mapping During the process of reviewing a Community Development Plan,instances where community needs are not met may be identified.Examples of this may include a need for community gathering spaces such as parks or recreation hubs.Community Development Plans may identify such needs and outline a plan of action for community members and other [Hawaii Island residents]to coordinate efforts,combine and collect resources,and connect public and private sector agents to advocate for such enhancements to their community.[In the case of Hilo,where a CDP was never initiated by the Planning Department,an examination of why this was neglected must be addressed,for the purpose of getting input from this district even though the General Plan may have been already implemented.This could be accomplished through addendums to the General Plan at future dates.] Page 224 6.4.3 Para 1 The General Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide [innovative] development patterns,[and provide assistance toward]future opportunities and public investments. Para 3 The tables are intended to provide a clear and concise reference for agencies, policymakers,communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents Page 225 Table 45 Climate change,carbon footprint,net zero,GHG emissions,green infrastructure projects, climate adaptation The above terms,taken from Table 45,derive from the United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development,inaugurated in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Residents of Hawaii Island have never had the opportunity to engage in discussions in every town,using every venue,to discuss the entire subject of climate change.It is a foundational subject,as it is the substrate upon which so much of the General Plan is predicated.It is un-Democratic to simply take ideas from other places and cement them into the plans we make for our own people,our own land,our own island,without engaging in an unhurried,full-blown examination of this agenda,neighbor with neighbor.Until such time as this takes place,we must place this draft of a General Plan on hold. Table 46 Objectives 13.Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. As above,SMART is an acronym taken from the World Economic Forum that pertains to Internet-Of-Things technology.Its purpose is linkage of devices for the purpose of control and monitoring.No island-wide discussion has taken place as to the merits of SMART GROWTH. Again,it is a concept from far away,irreversible once implemented,without so much as a real attempt to inform residents.How can a General Plan proceed on concepts alien to the people? Table 47 21.[Engineer infrastructure]to reduce stormwater runoff. Page 227 Table 48 25.Improve the efficiency and reliability,and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. 28.Increase green infrastructure practices. Example Indicators Annual funding allocated for [efficient]infrastructure initiatives Percentage of new development projects including [efficient]infrastructure elements Table 49 Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure P232 6.4.4 1.a Seek [procedure]to support wetland identification and assessments. 1.j Identify partners and [S]upport a public awareness and education campaign to elevate recognition of the value of urban trees as essential infrastructure. 3.b Create special (business)improvement districts to engage in environmental research, restoration and maintenance,natural resource management,climate change or sea level rise adaptation or other purposes to improve environmental conditions and provide community benefit. 4.a [Seek Hawaii Island residents and groups]to maintain and steward the preservation of sites, buildings,objects,and landscapes of significant cultural and historical importance. 4.c Support the identification of Heritage Landscapes,Corridors,Areas,and Centers. Heritage designation is UNESCO.It is crucial that Hawaii Island maintain control of its lands and natural resources,free of encumbrances of global organizations 4.h [Foment discussion among]government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders farmers,homeowners,and other residents 4.i private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners,and other residents Table 54:Climate Change [Delete Table 54:Climate Change has not been debated across Hawaii County in a systematic way.Such a debate would entail townhall presentations by each side,allowing all the time necessary to absorb the decades of information circulating through media and academia.At some later time,these information-gathering events could then be followed by public open debates.Hawaii Island residents at that juncture would then be ready to decide whether they wished to premise all future growth on the notion of Climate Change,or reject it as unscientific.] 240 Table 56 Transportation Access and Mobility 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance.[Complete Streets derives from Agenda 21’s SMART Cities designation.It has nothing to do with residents of Hawaii Island,until such time as they can be apprised of the overall design of Agenda 21,as it entails constricting traffic,expanding bike lanes and bus routes,installing islands -many changes that may or may not be workable. Hilo and Kona have very different requirements,and a cookie-cutter approach levels differences.Just because it is recommended by a national or international association does not mean it is suitable here.Again,it must be thoroughly discussed across the island before a decision can be made.] 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles.[Vision Zero,as stated above with Complete Streets,is an internationally utilized approach to pedestrian safety that first needs a full discussion here to see to what extent it is workable,if at all.] 243-255 27.d social equity,[No relevance to this category] 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for [strategies]for wastewater collection and treatment development. 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low impact development. 28.f Create a green infrastructure dedication standard. 28.l Identify County parks and recreation,rights-of-way,and other County owned sites for green infrastructure demonstration projects 29.a Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers, homeowners,and other residents for the research and development of alternative/renewable energy resources. 30.d Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities and other [Hawaii Island residents] 30.i [Encourage private]funding for broadband initiatives and deployments. 30.m Foster [private investments]to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, 32.c Review county lighting and landscaping ordinances to implement CPTED.CPTED is a component of a SMART City that watches,listens,announces,tracks,records.It is a creation of Agenda 21 and the WEF and the UN.It must be rejected by the residents of Hawaii Island unless/until it is thoroughly discussed and debated. 32.p This point to be deleted [In light of the controversy in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire,to be formulating a redevelopment plan,IN ADVANCE of an incident,creates a climate of distrust and anger.This subject must be handled very carefully in discussions with groups and individuals across the island.] 35.c Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.d Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.i government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.k private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 36.d communities,and other farmers,homeowners,and other residents 36.f communities,and other farmers,homeowners,and other residents Page 254 45.k Partner with government (e.g.,DOT,DBEDT,etc.),private and nonprofit agencies, communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents to monitor 45.l Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies (e.g.,business associations, realtors,chambers of commerce,etc.),communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 45.m expand the research and development industry for [innovative]economic development. 46.i private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents From:Michelle MelendezTo:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:You Are Ignoring My Testimony on General Plan Per YOUR Comments Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 3:28:53 PM Aloha Commissioners, I'm very disturbed that you have ignored my testimony on "climate change". I believe it was the Chair at timestamp 2:49:00 who said that there is evidence of climate change and sea level rising. WHERE? Doyou see it in Hilo, Kona or ANY land mass on the planet? I have given numerous experts sharing information to the contrary of climate danger, which I will share again below. Commissioner Rodriguez wants to change the name "climate change" so everyone can get on board with ALL the regulations andrules that this plan wants to put in place because of this false narrative. If you change the name, you MUST eliminate that section because it then has NO Standing. There is no reason for that section ofthe plan. Will you Please look at the evidence I'm sharing? I have a right to be heard. This is NOT a Conspiracy Theory! Are Climatologists, Meteorologists, and other scientists from around the world lying? Here is the evidence (please review): Over 1900 credentialed scientists have signed a World Declaration literally stating, "There is No Climate Danger". Review ithere https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf The declaration states: "To believe the outcome of a climate model is to believe what the model makers have put in. This isprecisely the problem of today’s climate discussion to which climate models are central. Climate science has degenerated into adiscussion based on beliefs, not on sound self-critical science. Should not we free ourselves from the naive belief in immatureclimate models?" John Coleman, Good Morning America's first weatherman and the founder of the Weather channel stated, "There is No GlobalWarming". Find his talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56fms2VZTc 50 Years as Meteorologist with the US Airforce and Climatologist Professor David Dilley, says the earth is cooling not warming.He explains the earth was closer to the sun 800 years ago. He shares the Milankovitch Cycles here: https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=0-ubPSELxpFnAVH5 On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared, “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have no concern about that. By asking people toworry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climatechange is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into something alarmingseems a little bit weird to me." Find his interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwvVephTIHU Profession Lindzen also stated, “At any given place, traditionally, sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick in thewater, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving up anddown. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise.” It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of beingengulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “AnInconvenient Truth” are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on globalwarming, "An Inconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website (Find the articlehere: https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Truth.html):. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1. The film claims that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct. 2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years. TheCourt found that the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming. The Government’sexpert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had toaccept that this was not the case. 5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore hadmisread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidencewas that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find any evidenceto support this claim. 8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence isthat sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Government wasunable to substantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is thatGreenland will not melt for a millennia. 2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; the evidence was that it is, in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by thecurrent mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted, it would release this amount ofwater “but only after, and over, a millennia.” You may be asking, "Why is this in the general plan and why is the climate change narrative in the media throughout the world if itisn't true?" Because those who've invested in renewable energy will profit greatly and have more power over people if we adopt their narrative.They also own most of the news. I'm not a climate denier. I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm someone who researches until I discoverthe truth. The truth is, if you put this plan through as it is, you will destroy freedom and prosperity on Big Island for future generations. Regards, 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 5:10 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Aloha Leeward Commission, Mahalo so much for listening to us today. I know you are all volunteers and I really appreciate your time. A huge part of the plan is dedicated to "Climate Change". However, I've researched and found many climate experts disagree withthis narrative. This is VERY dangerous because this section will add more rules, and regulations and take away freedom. In the name of climatechange it will restructure the Big Island way of life and give more power to the government. Here is what you need to know: Over 1900 credentialed scientists have signed a World Declaration literally stating, "There is No Climate Danger". Review ithere https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf The declaration states: "To believe the outcome of a climate model is to believe what the model makers have put in. This isprecisely the problem of today’s climate discussion to which climate models are central. Climate science has degenerated into adiscussion based on beliefs, not on sound self-critical science. Should not we free ourselves from the naive belief in immatureclimate models?" John Coleman, Good Morning America's first weatherman and the founder of the Weather channel stated, "There is No GlobalWarming". Find his talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56fms2VZTc 50 Years as Meteorologist with the US Airforce and Climatologist Professor David Dilley, says the earth is cooling not warming.He explains the earth was closer to the sun 800 years ago. He shares the Milankovitch Cycles here: https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=0-ubPSELxpFnAVH5 On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared, “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have no concern about that. By asking peopleto worry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climatechange is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into something alarmingseems a little bit weird to me." Find his interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwvVephTIHU Profession Lindzen also stated, “At any given place, traditionally, sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick inthe water, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving upand down. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise.” On August 21, 2020, NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.” Findthe article here: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of beingengulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “AnInconvenient Truth” are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on globalwarming, "An Inconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website (Find the articlehere: https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Truth.html):. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1. The film claims that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced toconcede that this is not correct. 2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years.The Court found that the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000years. 3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming. TheGovernment’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert hadto accept that this was not the case. 5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore hadmisread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidencewas that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find anyevidence to support this claim. 8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence isthat sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Government wasunable to substantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is thatGreenland will not melt for a millennia. 2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; the evidence was that it is, in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by thecurrent mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted, it would release this amount ofwater “but only after, and over, a millennia.” You may be asking, "Why is this in the general plan and why is the climate change narrative in the media throughout the world ifit isn't true?" Because those who've invested in renewable energy will profit greatly and have more power over people if we adopt theirnarrative. They also own most of the news. I'm not a climate denier. I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm someone who researchesuntil I discover the truth. The truth is, if you put this plan through as it is, you will destroy freedom and prosperity on Big Island for future generations. You have the power to help bring light to this plan. I trust in God and I trust in you. 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Re: Testimony on General Plan Climate Change Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 3:42:00 PM It's not about the "climate change" word. It's the entire part of the plan that will regulate us to death. I'm listening to your comments on https://www.youtube.com/live/EDLoHi2SLcg?si=K3laGG5Wjskg2Rll Timestamep 2:50:00 and I can't believe you're wanting to change the words and not disregard part of the plan. It doesn't matter if you change the word. It matters that you change and/or disregard that areaof the plan that is not good for our island. Then someone says, "educate people so they understand what it means". We know what it means. We are telling you it is false. This is not from me. This is from Good Morning America'sfirst weatherman, the founder of the weather channel, 50 meteorologists for the USNavy, MIT professor and more. Will you please look at the information I sent and take into account this narrative is wrong? That section in the plan should be taken out. It is based on a false premise and again, thatcomes from numerous scientists from around the world. Kind regards, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:donna grabow To:WPCtestimony Subject:Hawaii County Council - General Plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 8:52:55 AM Aloha County Council, From reading what the document proposes, General Plan 2045 is a worldwide concept (and not just for Hawaii), that wants to regroup the land and rewrite maps in order to rehouse people and remove their rights and freedom. Plan 2045 uses “Global Warming” or “Climate Change” as a guise to justify reducing human rights, and to be able the control of land - to have unlimited power in redistricting land and neighborhoods. Concerns Include: Land Use changing Residential to Recreation DROPS property value! Plan could set up MANY opportunities for State to take your land & Rezone! Plan could regulate OFF-GRID living! Plan will further STRESS electric grid increasing prices Please vote against the regressive proposals of General Plan 2045 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you for listening. ~ Donna Grabow, Hilo From:Lisa Kerman To:WPCtestimony Subject:Proposed General Plan for Big Island Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 3:21:06 PM To All Concerned, I am adamantly opposed to the proposed general plan for the Big Island. This plan will not serve the people of Hawaii. It will open up the doors for state government to rezone property ifthey feel the need to do so. Rezoning residential properties to recreational property decreases the value of these properties. It will further burden the already over burdened electrical grid.These are only a few of the disasters that this plan will create. In no way is this a positive situation for the population of Big Island. I urge you to do what’s right for the people and vetothis “Plan”. Thank you, Lisa KermanKauai Sent from my iPad From:Noah Walin To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Update Special Meeting Testimony Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 5:18:25 PM Attachments:WPC GP Amendment Request 241203.pdf Aloha Windward Planning Commission, Please see the attached testimony letter regarding the update to the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045. Mahalo, Noah Walin | Pacific Rim Land, Inc. Project Coordinator 1300 N. Holopono Street, Suite 201 P.O. Box 220, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753 Office: 808-270-5943 | Direct: 808-419-4610 E-mail: NoahW@pacificrimland.com ( ( BEFORE THE LAND USE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF HAWAI'I In the Matter of the Application of )))WAIKOLOA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Docket No. SP92-381 N W¢3 cI-" ;> _o For the Establishment of a Quarry Operation and Allied Uses on Within the State Land Use Agricultural Approximately 220 Acres of Land Situated District at Waikoloa, South Kohala, Hawai'i Tax Map Key No.: 6-8-01: portion of 5 (nka approximately 219.990 acres at Waikoloa, South Kohala, Island of Hawai'i Tax Map Key No.: (3) 6-8-001:066 ))))))))))) FIND1NGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND DECISION AND ORDER APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION TO AMEND THE STATE SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE U'J 2k: [=21"/ÿ C'3r3 ÿU? i_-,[ FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND DECISION AND ORDER APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION TO AMEND THE STATE SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE This is to certify that this is a true and correct copy of the document on file in the office of the State Land Use Commission, Honolulu, Hawai'i. February 26, 2016 by Daniel E. Orodenker, Executive Officer { { BEFORE THE LAND USE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF HAWAI'I In the Matter of the Application of WAIKOLOA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY For the Establishment of a Quarry Operation and Allied Uses on Within the State Land Use Agricultural Approximately 220 Acres of Land Situated District at Waikoloa, South Kohala, Hawai'i Tax Map Key No.: 6-8-01: portion of 5 (nka approximately 219.990 acres at Waikoloa, South Kohala, Island of Hawai'i Tax Map Key No.: (3) 6-8-001:066 )))))))))))))) Docket No. SP92-381 [2ro O- re gO .IF=" ._o 2ÿ 'lÿ2 2D . f"ÿ] -:I<) 2E2 -2-2=, 227 FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND DECISION AND ORDER APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I LEEWARD PLANNING COMMIS SION TO AMEND THE STATE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND DECISION AND ORDER APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION TO AMEND THE STATE SPECIAL USE PERMIT The State of Hawai'i Land Use Commission (°'LUC"), having examined the complete record of the County of Hawai'i Leeward Planning Commission ("Planning Commission") proceedings on amending the State Special Use Permit ("SUP") Application ("Application") filed by West Hawai'i Concrete ("Applicant"), pursuant to section 205-6, Hawai'i Revised Statutes ("HRS"), and sections 15-15-95 and 15-15-96, Hawai'i Administrative Rules ("HAR"), and Rule 6 of Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure to: (1) to amend existing Condition SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend No. 12 to extend the life of Special Permit ("SP 833")1 so that the quan'ying and other activities can continue to 2043 or longer (i.e., for as long as the Owner allows Applicant to continue quarry operations, which could extend to 2063); (2) include greenwaste composting as an expressly permitted use under the Special Permit; and (3) allow for the processing and recycling of Portland cement concrete and asphalt concrete pavement on the Special Permit site (also refen'ed to as "Project") on approximately 219.990 acres of land situated at Waikoloa, South Kohala, County and Island of Hawai'i, Tax Map Key No. (3) 6-8-001:066 (formerly TMK No. (3) 6-8-001: 005), and upon consideration of the matters discussed therein, argument of counsel and public comments at its meeting on February 9, 2016, hereby makes the following findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order: FINDINGS OF FACT PROCEDURAL MATTERS °On September 15, 2015, WHC, LTD., a Hawai'i corporation doing business as West Hawaii Concrete ("Applicant") filed a request with the Hawai'i County Planning Department (the "Planning Department") to amend the special permit issued in the above- entitled docket pursuant to section 205-6, HRS, and sections 15-15-95 and 15-15-96, HAR, and Rule 6 to: (1) to amend existing Condition No. 12 to extend the life of Special Permit No. 833 (the "SP 833") so that the quan'ying and other activities can continue to 2043 or longer (i.e., for as long as the Owner allows Applicant to continue quarry operations, which could extend to 2063); (2) include greenwaste compositing as an expressly pernfitted use under the Special Permit; and (3) allow for the processing and 1 SP 833 is a county designation for tracking the State Special Permit they review. Once it is forwarded with a recommendation to the State Land Use Commission it is given an official State Special Permit docket number; in this case SP92-381. SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend recycling of Portland cement concrete and asphalt concrete pavement on the Special Permit site on approximately 219.990 acres of land situate at Waikoloa, South Kohala, County and Island of Hawai'i, Tax Map Key No. (3) 6-8-001:066 (formerly TMK No. (3) 6-8-001: 005) (the "Application"). .Applicant has operated a quan'y at the 219.990 acre site ("Petition Area") since 1995 under a license agreement with the landowner, which is now WQJ2008 Investment, LLC, a Washington limited liability company (as to an undivided 85.714% interest), and Ukumehame Quan'y Company Limited Partnership, a Hawai'i limited partnership (as to an undivided 14.286% interest), as tenants in common ("Owner"). .The County of Hawai'i Planning Commission authorized SP 833 at its hearing on September 22, 1992, and the State of Hawai'i Land Use Commission ("LUC") issued its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision and Order in LUC Docket No. SP92- 381 authorizing SP 833 or/January 19, 1993 ("LUC D&O"). .SP 833 allows the Petition Area to be used for blasting, drilling, rock crushing and screening, concrete ready-mix batching, pre-casting, asphaltic concrete products manufacturing equipment and materials storage and repair, and other necessary uses and activities related to providing a source of rock aggregate and concrete and asphalt products. .Included with the cun'ent Application were 24 exhibits, as follows: (1) Map & Metes and Bounds Submitted to Planning Department, dated 10/2/92 and Planning Department Acceptance, dated 10/22/92; (2) Subdivision Map, Sub No. 07-000696; (3) Fee Owner's Authorization; (3A) Licensee's Authorization; (4) Annual Monitoring Report; (5) 1996 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend { I' Final Plan Approval; (6) Site Plan of Current Quarry Area and Proposed Quarry, Recycling, and Greenwaste Composting Area and Activities; (7) 2011 DOH Solid Waste Mgt Application and Permit; (8) State Land Use District Map; (9) County Zoning Map; (10) Flood Zone Map; (11) Dr. Robert Rechtman 1999 Letter re Monitoring; (12) 2015 Archaeological Assessment; (12A) SHPD Letter dated August 12, 2015; (13)Waikoloa Quan'y Ka Pa'akai Discussion; (14) Land Study Bureau Map; (15) ALISH Map; (16) General Botanical Survey, July 2015; (17) Blackbum's Sphinx Moth Surveys; (18) Hydrologic Assessment; (19) Photos of Quarry; (20) LUPAG Map; (21) South Kohala Community Development Plan Map; and (22) Special Management Area Map. °By letter dated September 24, 2015, the Planning Department notified Applicant that it had accepted the Application for filing. 7. The Planning Department circulated the Application for agency comment. , . By letter dated October 5, 2015, Applicant notified sun'ounding property owners and lessees of the filing of the Application, and provided information regarding how such owners and lessees could request a contested case proceeding in this matter. By letter dated October 12, 2015, Applicant filed with the Planning Department an Affidavit of Sign Posting and Affidavit of Mailing, attesting to the posting of a sign at the Petition Area notifying the public of the pending application, and notifying the public of the mailing. SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend t ( 10. By letter dated November 24, 2015, the Planning Department notified Applicant that the matter was set for hearing before the Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday, December 17, 2015. 11. Applicant responded to all agency comment letters. 12. By notice dated December 1, 2015, Applicant notified surrounding property owners and lessees of the Planning Commission hearing. Included in that mailing was a copy of the Planning Commission's agenda, and a copy of the folTn "Petition for Standing in Contested Case Hearing." 13. No petitions for intervention or requests for contested case hearings were submitted in response to the Application. 14. On December 17, 2015, at the West Hawai'i Civic Center, after presentation by Planning Department staff, the Planning Commission considered the Application. 15. The Permit was first amended on February 26, 1999, which amendment included an amendment to Condition No. 12 to extend the life of the permit until December 31, 2018. 16. Applicant requested that Condition No. 12 be amended to allow operations at the quarry to continue until 2043 or longer, i.e., for as long as the Owner allows Applicant to continue quan'y operations, which could extend to 2063. 17. The Planning Director's Recommendation is that Condition No. 12 be amended to read: The life of this permit shall be for a period co-terminus with the existing license agreement with the owner of the property, or until December 31, [g04-8] 2043; the 6 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend date of completion of the proposed quarrying; or its abandonment, whichever comes first. 18. The Planning Conmlission's approval of the Application recommended that the Permit be extended until 2043, at which time the Applicant will be required to submit another time extension request to continue operations. 19. The Planning Commission noted that the proposed request to allow the recycling of Portland cement concrete and asphalt concrete pavement, and greenwaste composting activities would be consistent and complementary with the "related uses" that are currently approved under Special Permit No. 833, which includes blasting, drilling, rock crushing and screening, concrete ready-mix batching, pre-casting, asphaltic concrete products manufacturing, equipment storage and materials storage and repair, and other necessary uses and activities related to providing a source of rock aggregate and concrete and asphaltic products. 20. The Planning Commission noted that the allowance of these additional uses will reduce the amount of materials being dumped into the local landfill and will allow those matei'ials to be reused and recycled. 21. The Planning Department also noted Applicant has successfully operated a quan'y at the Petition Area for twenty (20) years. 22. The Planning Commission further concluded that approving the proposed amendments to the Permit (a) would not be contrary (i) to the General Plan or the Zoning Code, (ii) the original reasons for granting the Permit, (iii) the objectives sought to be accomplished by SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend the State Land Use Law, Chapter 205, HRS, and its regulations, (b) are unusual and reasonable uses of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District, (c) will not adversely affect the sun-ounding properties nor unreasonably burden public agencies or infrastructure, (d) did not arise as a result of unusual conditions, trends, or needs since the district boundaries and regulations were established, (e) will not substantially alter or change the essential character of the land and the present use, (f) are consistent with Chapter 205A, HRS, and the Special Management Area guidelines contained in Rule No. 9 of the Planning Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures, and (g) will not have a significant adverse impact to traditional and customary Hawaiian rights and practices. 23. The Planning Commission also recommended approval of the proposed amendments to the Permit on the ground that the land upon which the proposed uses are sought is unsuited for the uses permitted within the district. The soils for the petition area are classified as "E" or "Very Poor" by the Land Study Bureau's Overall Master Productivity Rating and are unclassified by the Department of Agriculture's ALISH Map. 24. The Planning Department ultimately recommended that the proposed amendments be granted subject to the following revised changes (Material to be deleted is bracketed and stricken and material to be added is underscored): a,The Applicant, successors or assigns shall be responsible for complying with all stated conditions of approval. b°Final Plan Approval for the quarry operation shall be secured from the Planning Department on or before January 19, 1997. To assure adequate plan approval review and in accordance with Chapter 25-244 (Zoning Code), plans for the SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend quarry operation shall be submitted a minimum of forty-five days prior to the date by which plan approval must be secured. Plans shall identify structures and parking associated with the proposed quarry operations. C.The quarry operations and related activities shall commence on or before December 10, 2003. A letter informing of commencement of operations shall be submitted to the Planning Department. d. JA metes and bounds description and map shall be submitted with plans for plan approval review. The area described shall contain less than 220 acres and the operation confined within the described area. e. .... 1;ÿ,,ÿ ,÷ ..... ÷ ÷ÿ +r,ÿ cÿ .... +,, ÿ,,'ÿs ..... ;; ÿ At the written request of the Department of Public Works (DPW), after the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the extended permit, the Applicant shall prepare a Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR), at no cost to the County of Hawai'i, for submission to the DPW. The applicant shall coordinate with the DPW on implementing the Applicant's pro-rata share of appropriate traffic mitigation measures, if any, should it be determined tba'ough the TIAR that improvements to the Waikoloa/QualTy road intersection SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend are needed due to the Applicant's activity at the quarry. Access to Waikoloa Road shall comply with Chapter 22 of Hawai'i County Code. f. The following procedures shall be instituted for archaeological site mitigation: Possible burial sites identified in the Archaeological Inventory Survey (PHRI ms 1041-122091) shall be approved by the Hawaii Island Burial Council prior to receipt of Final Plan Approval. ii.The preservation area, including a 50-foot buffer zone, shall be staked/flagged prior to receipt of Final Plan Approval. A confirming letter from the archaeologist shall be submitted. iii.Construction workers and quan'y operational personnel shall be informed of the significance of the staked preservation area. Construction plans shall also note the area. g° iv.An archaeologist shall be on site to monitor initial land preparation activities that occur in the vicinity of the preservation area. Should any unidentified sites or remains such as artifacts, shell, bone, or charcoal deposits, human burials, rock or coral alignments, paving or walls be uncovered during land preparation activities, work in the area shall immediately cease and the Planning Department shall be notified. No work within the affected area shall resume until clearance from the Planning Department is received. SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend 10 ( i h.If required by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, a survey of the area identified as 'Suitable Habitat for the Ophioglossum Fern' in the 'Botanical Assessment' conducted by Winona Char (see Exhibit 1) shall be performed prior to any land alterations of the affected area. The survey and any mitigation measures shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Department, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The quarrying activity shall be limited to the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; provided active noise generating activity (i.e., blasting, crushing) shall commence no earlier than 7:30 a.m. j°The applicant shall submit an Erosion Control and Site Restoration Plan for review and approval by the Planning Director, in consultation with the Department of Public Works, one year prior to the expiration date of the permit or prior to the termination of the operations, whichever occurs first. k.Upon telanination of the operations or abandomnent of any portion of the affected site, the land shall be graded to blend with the surrounding area and rehabilitated as approved in the Erosion Control and Site Restoration Plan. The affected site shall be left in a non-hazardous condition. Appropriate documentation which demonstrates compliance with this condition shall be submitted to the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works for review and approval within ninety (90) days from the date of termination or abandonment. 1. The life of this permit shall be for a period co-terminus with the existing license agreement with the owner of the property, or until December 31, [g048] 2043; the 11 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend date of completion of the proposed quarrying; or its abandomnent, whichever comes first. m.An adequate supply of water shall be made available for dust control and for fire prevention and pre-suppression. n°Comply with all other laws, rules, regulations and requirements, including those of the Department of Health, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and the Department of Public Works. O.An annual monitoring report shall be submitted to the Planning Director and Land Use Commission prior to the anniversary date of the approval of this permit. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the amount ofinaterial quarried, a detailed listing of public complaints or problems and their disposition. Should a conflict arise, which cannot be mitigated or mediated, the quarry operations shall cease upon appropriate findings by the Planning Commission that the introduced use will have an adverse impact on surrounding properties. The report shall also include Applicant's progress in complying with the conditions imposed. p.An extension of time for the performance of conditions within the permit, with the exception of Condition No. 12, may be granted by the Planning Director upon the following circumstances: a) the non-performance is the result of conditions that could not have been foreseen or are beyond the control of the applicant, successors or assigns, and that are not the result of their fault or negligence; b) granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the general plan or zoning code; c) granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the original 12 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend ( ( reasons for the granting of the permit, and d) the time extension granted shall be for a period not to exceed the period originally granted for performance (i.e., a condition to be performed within one year may be extended for up to one additional year). Further, should any of the conditions not be met or substantially complied with in a timely fashion, the Director shall initiate procedures to revoke the permit. 25. No public testimony was received by the Planning Commission. After due deliberation, at its meeting on December 17, 2015, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Application to the LUC by a vote of 5 in favor and 2 excused. 26. On January 11, 2016, the LUC received a copy of the Planning Commission's decision and the record of the Planning Commission's proceedings on the Application. 27. On January 26, 2016, Applicant submitted to the LUC the $1,000.00 filing fee by check payable to the State of Hawai'i. 28. On February 1, 2016, the LUC mailed a notice and meeting agenda to all parties and the Statewide, O'ahu and Hawai'i mailing lists. 29. On February 8, 2016, Applicant filed its Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision and Order ("Proposed Order"). 30. On February 9, 2016, the LUC met in Kona, island of Hawai'i, to consider the Petition. Jennifer A. Lim, Esq. and Jason Macey appeared on behalf of the Applicant; Daryn Arai and Danny B. Patel, Esq., Deputy Corporation Counsel, appeared on behalf of the County; and, Deputy Attorney General Bryan Yee, Esq., appeared on behalf of OP. The 13 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend i ( Commission heard public testimony from Mr. Yee on behalf of OP. At the meeting the Applicant provided a description of the Project relative to Section 15-15-95(c), HAR. Following the presentation by the Applicant, the LUC raised questions about the operation of the Project and its impacts. The County provided a brief overview of its decision recommending approval of the Application and the conditions it imposed. 31. Thereafter, a motion was made and seconded to approve the Application and the County's recommendation, and as agreed to by the Applicant. 32. On February 17, 2016, the LUC mailed out the agenda and notice of hearing for the February 24, 2016, LUC meeting to all parties, and the Statewide, Hawai'i and Maui mailing lists. 33. On February 24, 2016, the LUC conducted a meeting to adopt the form of the Order on this docket at the Maui Arts and Cuitural Center in Kahului, Maui. Entering appearances were Mel Macey for the Applicant; and Deputy Attorney General Bryan Yee, Esq., for OP. The County of Hawai'i indicated that it would not be in attendance. The Commission provided an opportunity for public testimony. There was no public testimony. RULINGS ON PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT Any conclusions of law herein improperly designated as a finding of fact should be deemed or construed as a conclusion of law; and finding of fact herein improperly designated as a conclusion of law should be deemed or construed as a finding of fact. 14 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The LUC has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to section 205-6, HRS, and section 5-15- 95 et seq. HAR. 2. Based upon the record of the proceedings before the Planning Commission, and pursuant to section 205-6, HRS and section 15-15-95 et seq., HAR, the LUC finds that the recormnendation of the Planning Commission to approve a State Special Permit for the Petition Area, consisting of approximately 219.990 acres of land situated at Waikoloa, South Kohala, County and Island of Hawai'i, Tax Map Key No. (3) 6-8-001:066 (formerly TMK No. (3) 6-8-001: 005), generally meets the guidelines for determining an "unusual and reasonable use" and "would promote the effectiveness and objectives" of chapter 205, HRS, within the State Land Use Agricultural District. 3. The Project constitutes an unusual and reasonable use within the agricultural district other than those for which the district is classified, and complies with section 205-6(a), HRS. 4. The Project constitutes an exceptional situation where the proposed use would not change the essential character of the district nor be inconsistent therewith. 5. The Project constitutes a use that would promote the effectiveness and objectives of chapter 205, HRS, and complies with section 205-6(c), HRS. 6. The Petition Area is not designated as ImpolCant Agricultural Land under Part III of chapter 205, HRS, and therefore the Proj ect does not conflict with any part of chapter 205, HRS, and complies with section 205-6(c), HRS. 3_5 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend 7. Article XI, section 1, of the Hawai'i State Constitution requires the State to conserve and protect Hawai'i's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals, and energy sources, and to promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self- sufficiency of the State. 8. The LUC has considered Article XI, section 1, of the Hawai'i State Constitution and finds that the Project is in compliance and non-violative therewith. 9. Article XI, Section 3, of the Hawai'i State Constitution requires the State to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self- sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands. 10. The LUC has considered Article XI, Section 3, of the Hawai'i State Constitution and finds that the Project is in compliance and non-violative therewith. 11. Article XII, Section 7, of the Hawai'i State Constitution requires the LUC to protect Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights. The State reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural, and religious purposes and possessed by ahupua'a tenants who are descendants of Native Hawaiians who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778, subject to the right of the State to regulate such rights. 12. The LUC has considered Article XII, Section 7, of the Hawai'i State Constitution and finds that the Project is in compliance and non-violative therewith. 13. The State and its agencies are obligated to protect the reasonable exercise of customarily and traditionally exercised Native Hawaiian rights to the extent feasible. Public Access Shoreline Hawai'i v. Hawai'i County Planning Commission, 79 Hawai'i 425, 903, P.2d 1246, certiorari denied, 517 U.S. 1163, 116 S.Ct. 1559, 134 L.Ed.2d 660 (1996). The LUC has 16 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend 14. considered such responsibilities and obligations and finds the Project to be consistent and non-violative therewith. The LUC is empowered to preserve and protect customary and traditional rights of Native Hawaiians. Ka Pa'akai 0 Ka'Aina v. Land Use Commission, 94 Hawai'i 31, 7 P.3d 1068 (2000). The LUC has considered such responsibilities and obligations and finds the Project to be consistent and non-violative therewith. 17 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend DECISION AND ORDER Having duly considered the complete record in this matter and the oral arguments presented by the Applicant in this proceeding, together with public testimony from the Planning Department and OP, and a motion having been duly made and seconded at a meeting conducted on February 9, 2016, in Kona, Hawai'i, to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission, and the motion having received the affirmative votes required by section 15-15-13, HAR, and there being good cause for the motion, the LUC hereby APPROVES the recommendation of the Planning Commission approving amendments to the State Special Permit for the Project site as proposed by the Planning Commission, and as agreed to by the Applicant, consisting of approximately 219.990 acres of land situated at Waikoloa, South Kohala, County and Island of Hawai'i, Tax Map Key No. (3) 6-8-001:066 (formerly TMK No. (3) 6-8-001: 005), subject to the following conditions: 1. The Applicant, successors or assigns shall be responsible for complying with all stated conditions of approval. .Final Plan Approval for the quan'y operation shall be secured from the Planning Department on or before January 19, 1997. To assure adequate time for plan approval review and in accordance with Chapter 25-244 (Zoning Code), plans for the quarry operation shall be submitted a minimum of forty-five days prior to the date by which plan approval must be secured. Plans shall identify structures and paa'ldng associated with the proposed quarry operations. SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend the Special Permit { { .The quarry operations and related activities shall commence on or before December 10, 2003. A letter informing of commencement of operations shall be submitted to the Planning Department. °A metes and bounds description and map shall be submitted with plans for plan approval review. The area described shall contain less than 220 acres and the operation Confined within the described area. °At the written request of the Department of Public Works ("DPW"), after the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the extended permit, the applicant shall prepare a Traffic Impact Analysis Report ("TIAR"), at no cost to the County of Hawai'i, for submission to the DPW. The applicant shall coordinate with the DPW on implementing the applicant's pro-rata share of appropriate traffic mitigation measures, if any, should it be determined tbxough the TIAR that improvements to the Waikoloa/Quarry road intersection are needed due to the applicant's activity at the quan'y. Access to Waikoloa Road shall comply with Chapter 22 of Hawai'i County Code. 6. The following procedures shall be instituted for archaeological site mitigation: a.Possible burial sites identified in the Archaeological Inventory Survey (PHRI ms 1041-122091) shall be approved by the Hawai'i Island Burial Council prior to receipt of Final Plan Approval. b°The preservation area, including a 50-foot buffer zone, shall be staked/flagged prior to receipt of Final Plan Approval. A confirming letter from the archaeologist shall be submitted. 2 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend C.Construction workers and quan'y operational personnel shall be informed of the significance of the staked preservation area. Construction plans shall also note the area. d.An archaeologist shall be on site to monitor initial land preparation activities that occur in the vicinity of the preservation area. .Should any unidentified sites or remains such as artifacts, shell, bone, or charcoal deposits, human burials, rock or coral alignments, paving or walls be uncovered during land preparation activities, work in the area shall immediately cease and the Planning Department notified. No work within the affected area shall resume until clearance from the Planning Department is received. ,If required by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, a survey of the area identified as 'Suitable Habitat for the Ophioglossum Fern' in the 'Botanical Assessment' conducted by Winona Char (see Exhibit 1) shall be performed prior to any land alterations of the affected area. The survey and any mitigation measures shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Department, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. .The quarrying activity shall be limited to the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; provided active noise generating activity (i.e., blasting, crushing) shall commence no earlier than 7:30 a.m. 10. The applicant shall submit an Erosion Control and Site Restoration Plan for review and approval by the Planning Director, in consultation with DPW, one year prior to the SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend expiration date of the permit or prior to the termination of the operations, whichever occurs first. 11. Upon termination of the operations or abandonment of any portion of the affected site, the land shall be graded to blend with the surrounding area and rehabilitated as approved in the Erosion Control and Site Restoration Plan. The affected site shall be left in a non- hazardous condition. Appropriate documentation which demonstrates compliance with this condition shall be submitted to the Planning Department and the DPW for review and approval within ninety (90) days from the date of termination or abandonment. 12. The life of this pelanit shall be for a period co-terminus with the existing license agreement with the owner of the property, or until December 31, 2043; the date of completion of the proposed quarrying; or its abandonment, whichever comes first. 13. An adequate supply of water shall be made available for dust control and for fire prevention and pre-suppression. 14. Applicant shall comply with all other laws, rules, regulations and requirements, including those of the Department of Health, Hawai'i Electric Light Company, and the DPW. 15. An annual monitoring report shall be submitted to the Planning Director and Land Use Commission prior to the anniversary date of the approval of this permit. The repolÿ shall include, but not be limited to, the amount of material quan'ied, a detailed listing of public complaints or problems and their disposition. Should a conflict arise, which cannot be mitigated or mediated, the quan'y operations shall cease upon appropriate findings by the Planning Commission that the introduced use will have an adverse impact on sun'ounding 4 SP92-381 Waikoloa Developlnent Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend properties. The report shall also include Applicant's progress in complying with the conditions imposed. 16. An extension of time for the performance of conditions within the permit, with the exception of Condition No. 12, may be granted by the Planning Director upon the following circumstances: a) the non-performance isthe result of conditions that could not have been foreseen or are beyond the control of the applicant, successors or assigns, and that are not the result of their fault or negligence; b) granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the general plan or zoning code; c) granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the original reasons for the granting of the pelTnit, and d) the time extension granted shall be for a period not to exceed the period originally granted for performance (i.e., a condition to be performed within one year may be extended for up to one additional year). Further, should any of the conditions not be met or substantially complied with in a timely fashion, the Director shall initiate procedures to revoke the permit. 5 SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend ( i ADOPTION OF ORDER This ORDER shall take effect upon the date this ORDER is certified by this Commission. Done at Honolulu, Hawai'i, this __ motion on February 9, 201ÿ in Kona, Hawai'i. 26th, day of February, 2016, per LAND USE COMMISSION STATE OF HAWAI'I APPROVED AS TO FORM Deputy Attorney General Chairperson and Commissioner Filed and effective on: 2/26/16 • ° DANIEL E. ORODENKER Executive Officer SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend ( / BEFORE THE LAND USE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF HAWAI'I In the Matter of the Application of WAIKOLOA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY )))) Docket No. SP92-381 For the Establishment of a Quarry Operation and Allied Uses on Within the State Land Use Agricultural )))) Approximately 220 Acres of Land Situated ) District at Waikoloa, South Kohala, Hawai'i ) Tax Map Key No.: 6-8-01 : portion of 5 ) (nka approximately 219.990 acres at ) Waikoloa, South Kohala, Island of Hawai'i ) Tax Map Key No.: (3) 6-8-001:066 ) FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND DECISION AND ORDER APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION TO AMEND THE STATE SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was duly served upon the following by depositing the same in the AS INDICATED BELOW on February 26th ,2016: LEO R. ASUNCION, JR., AICP, Acting Director Office of Planning, State of Hawai'i 235 South Beretania Street 6th Floor, Leiopapa A Kamehameha Bldg. Honolulu, I-Iawai'i 96813 (HAND DELIVERY) BRYAN C. YEE, ESQ. Deputy Attorney General Department of the Attorney General 425 Queen Street Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 Attorney for the Office of Planning (HAND DELIVERY) SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend the Special Permit DUANE KANUHA, Planning Director DARYN ARAI, Planning Program Manager County of Hawai'i Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 (REGULAR MAIL) MOLLY A. STEBB1NS, ESQ. DANNY PATEL, ESQ. Office of the Corporation Counsel Hilo Lagoon Centre 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 325 Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Attorney for Hawai'i County Planning Department (REGULAR MALL) JENNIFER A. LIM, ESQ. PUANANIONAONA P. THOENE, ESQ. ASB Tower, Suite 2100 1001 Bishop Street Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 Attorneys for Applicant - WHC, Ltd., dba West Hawai'i Concrete (CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURNRECEIPT REQUESTED DATED: Honolulu, Hawai'i February 26, 2016. Executive Officer SP92-381 Waikoloa Development Company Decision And Order on Motion to Amend From:Marianna Kovalev To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan concerns. Date:Wednesday, December 4, 2024 9:48:10 AM Attachments:Big Island General Plan 2045 Testimony .pdf https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf Sent from my iPhone Legend: ●Black:Directly out of General Plan ●Red:Edit ●Yellow Highlighted is requesting text to be Removed ●Pink Highlighted is a Concern/Comments Page:27 Implementation Strategies “Zoning &Land Use Regulations Update regulations to align with the goals of the General Plan.” Please change to:“Update regulations”to “align with the goals of local Communities and the General Plan.” “Public-Private Partnerships Collaborate with private entities and homeowners to achieve mutual development and conservation objectives.” CONCERN:The word “Homeowner”is not written anywhere in the entire plan.That is VERY concerning.Why are you leaving homeowners out of the general plan that will affect them and their future generations?Please include “homeowner”wherever “stakeholder”is and where suggested in this document.Also,please be clear about who these private entities are that you want to collaborate with so this is more transparent. “Community Engagement Continuously engage residents and stakeholders in the decision- making process.” CONCERN:The community deserves to know who “Stakeholders”are and EXACTLY what they have stake in.Please define. Page:28 1.1 The purposes of the General Plan are to: ●Provide the framework for regulatory decisions,capital improvement priorities,acquisition strategies,and other pertinent government programs within the County organization and coordinated with State and Federal programs. This sounds like you want to take people’s property through acquisition and regulate the heck out of locals. Please change to the following:Provide framework that supports local farmers and communities without further regulations,capital improvement priorities,and other pertinent local and government programs within the County organization and coordinate with State and Federal programs to support thriving communities. ●“Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole.” Please change to the following:““Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole without violating personal freedoms,the Constitution or further regulating the public.” ●“Effect political and technical coordination in community improvement and development.” CONCERN:This sounds like you will bring politics into community living.That is not pono. Please change to:“Effect strategies that support community improvements and development for locals.” “The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies,planning commissions,elected officials,landowners,developers,and citizens to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi.” Please change to:The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions,elected officials,landowners,homeowners,developers,and locals to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi. Please add:(a)The general plan shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential,recreational,agricultural,commercial,industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources without violating personal rights and freedoms,and supporting local communities to prosper,and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites,while still giving access to the public;the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county (Remove) (b)The council shall enact zoning,subdivision,and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to support thriving communities,farmers and homeowners.The way it is currently written describes zoning people out of their homes with more regulations and fines. Page 29: (d)Amendments to the general plan may be initiated by the council or the planning director giving adequate notice to the public for needed testimony. Page 32: CONCERN WITH THE THREE CIRCLE “SUSTAINABILITY”DIAGRAM:The words: Sustainability and Equity are part of a political woke vocabulary and should not be in the Hawaii General Plan.Also,“Social and Culture Equity”should be removed.It is not the responsibility of the planning department to control the behavior of people.That again is a “woke”agenda.Nor does this language reflect a thriving community.“Environmental Protection”gives the impression of more regulations and a reduction of people’s rights.Please remove it. Instead call it:INNOVATION with these 3 circles:Economic Alternatives,Environmental Support,Thriving Communities The goal of the planning department should be to create an environment of prosperity and not one of over regulation and constraints on locals.We can do those through new innovations and not sustainability.Sustainability moves Big Island backwards not forward! 1.4 Innovation Principles and Practices CONCERN:Big Island needs to move toward free energy,which is available and not more regulations on what we have. Change:Integrating innovation into the General Plan is crucial for fostering long-term resilience and thriving communities. Change:“This includes increasing the effectiveness of new technologies to support local communities,improving coordination among various agencies and levels of government,and finding new and innovative ways to support our natural and cultural resources.for better development that supports a thriving environment,economic alternatives (sharing without taxes, trading without regulation),and flourishing communities.The General Plan recognizes this need and aligns with the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan1,which sets a strategic framework for achieving a sustainable future.By embedding sustainability principles into its core,this Plan sets forth a cohesive and forward-thinking strategy that addresses key challenges and anticipates future needs.”Please remove what is highlighted! CONCERN:By using the word “Sustainable”you are not supporting Hawaii to move forward. You are creating more control of the environment,and communities.That is not Pono and violates the HS [§5-7.5]"Aloha Spirit":"Aloha"means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.If the planning department creates a general plan that adds more regulations and constraints on locals,they violate the Aloha Spirit law. The Hawaiʻi 2050 Innovation Plan “created the State’s first definition of sustainability”(remove): A Hawaiʻi that achieves the following: 1.Respects the culture,character,beauty,and history of our state’s island communities; 2.Support a thriving community both socially and economically as we support our environment to heal and prosper;and 3.Meets the needs of the present without violating freedoms or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Page 33: In the diagram: “Regulatory Measures” ●County Code ●Administrative Rules ●Permits This shows that this general plan will increase restrictions and fees on farmers and other locals. This is not Pono.The plan should reflect innovation not constraints against the population. Please change to CHANGE TO: “Innovation Practices” ●Implement new resources ●Administration support ●Economic Alternatives Remove “permits”.Stop trying to permit the population to death! CURRENTLY:The Plan also incorporates guidelines to serve as strategic directions and standards to inform decisions regarding topics such as land use,infrastructure,housing,and resource management.These guidelines help to ensure consistency in planning and implementation,promoting sustainable growth,environmental stewardship,and community well-being.(This is a complete overreach of the government.You cannot tell people what to do with their property!It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to ensure people’s well-being!This should be revised to support environment,innovations,and thriving communities.) •Vision:The ability to plan for the future with creativity and innovation in support of thriving communities. •Goal:To see Hawaii Island become self-sustaining as communities and the environment prosper •Objective:Measurable,achievable,and time-bound milestones toward achieving a goal. •Guideline:A stated course of action that shall take precedence when addressing areas of concern and should be followed,unless a determination is made that it is not the most desirable in a particular case;thus,a guideline may be deviated from without penalty or sanction as long2 as it supports thriving communities,economic alternatives and supporting the environment. Page 34 Regulatory Implementing Actions (Locals DO NOT need more regulations and hoops to jump through.That will not support thriving communities.) Regulatory implementing actions are one of two types of approaches used in the General Plan to pursue the vision,goals,and objectives.Regulatory actions are controlling in that they define boundaries,development parameters,and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. The three regulatory implementing actions in the Plan include: Please change the last paragraph to: Work with local communities to pursue the vision,goals,and objectives.Find fair and supportive directions to define boundaries,development parameters,and measures intended to implement goals or objectives.Three actions in the Plan include: ●General Plan Land Use Map:A map that graphically delineates the areas of intended future land use types that support thriving communities and environmental support and do not hinder personal freedoms. ●Policy:A general rule for action focused on a specific issue,derived from more general goals3 that also support thriving communities and supporting the environment. •Standard:A supportive measure that defines the meaning,quality,or quantity of a policy by providing a way to measure its attainment. In the General Plan,future land use maps,policies,and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances,subdivisions,and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted through innovations and are flexible to support thriving communities. “because,as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter,Section 3-15.”Remove!The word “conform”is concerning.We are not in Communist China.Please revise to support thriving communities. Non-regulatory implementing actions typically involve community engagement,education and outreach,partnership development,and resource allocation to encourage support from the community (remove “compliance")and proactive efforts.This approach allows for flexibility and innovation in achieving the Plan’s vision. Throughout the General Plan,the objectives and policies are followed by a set of implementing actions.There are three types: Add:Community Support:Taking testimony and revisions from the community seriously and implementing where possible. Page 35: 1.6 Grounded Vision and Goals As we navigate our future,maintaining a balance between economic alternatives,environmental support,and thriving communities is paramount. By integrating those established values and principles,the General Plan ensures continuity and reflects the collective vision of Hawaiʻi Island residents,guiding new innovation developments while honoring our unique cultural and environmental heritage. The four primary chapters of the Plan encompass the innovation pillars of environment, community,and economy,as outlined in the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act Goals. General Plan Vision Statement Hawaiʻi Island is an exemplary leader with healthy and resilient communities that are built by innovative developments,a thriving and diversified local economy,and collaborative biocultural stewardship with locals. General Plan Chapter Goal Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed,preserved,and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment and use innovative techniques if and when appropriate to support future growth. Addressing Climate Change for Island-Wide Health CONCERN:Please realize there is no climate change emergency.1944 credentialed scientists from around the world have signed a “No Climate Change Emergency Declaration”.You can find it here: https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ Humans have less than 1%affect on climate. Please do your own research on this. Ensure the science is followed and investigate credentialed scientists and the Milankovitch cycles of which both have shown the earth is cooling.Since humans have less than 1%impact on climate,start supporting ways that we can maintain a healthy island by incorporating policies, programs,infrastructure,and decision-making that support the environment and thriving communities.And NOT policies that take away more freedoms and regulate locals to death! Hawaii Island will not believe in false narratives with political agendas. Innovative Development &Thriving We strategically apply innovative land use Communities It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to manage the health and safety of communities.That is an overreach of the government! strategies incorporating indigenous and contemporary knowledge and place-based practices to direct and manage growth for thriving communities. Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient,and comfortable movement of people and goods. Our communities are adequately served by innovation and efficient public infrastructure, utilities,and services based on existing and future growth needs,sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Our communities are thriving and supported and have access to integrative health, education,and social services to support a high quality of life for all residents. Residents have access to adequate (change to:comfortable)and affordable housing to meet the needs of the population and provide equitable (remove)opportunities for household flexibility and mobility. We employ integrated systems that are efficient,equitable (remove),fair,and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Thriving,Diversified,Competitive with Economic Alternatives Our economy is competitive,innovative,and supportive.It helps our communities thrive and increases local economic opportunities. Agriculture is a robust sector that supports local farmers and includes a broad range of agricultural-based businesses that highlight value,organic and good health practices. A high quality of life for locals is maintained when a supportive visitor industry balances economic growth with natural and cultural responsibility. Page:38 2.1 Introduction Collaborative biocultural (remove)stewardship is an approach to innovation development that emphasizes collaboration and partnership building among stakeholders (Who are they and what do they have stake in?),and homeowners and integrates natural and cultural resource management strategies to promote thriving communities.conservation,sustainability,and resilience (remove). Cooperative efforts aimed at achieving innovative development sustainable management (remove)of ecological systems are crucial for protecting our natural and built environments. Land use planning and management should be holistic,inclusive (remove),and adaptive to reflect thriving communities values,knowledge,and aspirations (remove).The General Plan provides key strategies to achieve biocultural (remove)supportive stewardship,including community engagement,partnership building,collaborative decision-making,and collective action. Environmental and social systems are complex and dynamic.These systems will require adaptive management and continuous learning as we navigate the future.The policies presented in this section seek to foster partnerships that are based on mutual respect,trust,and shared values.The community engagement process must be inclusive to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge systems into conservation and development strategies.Following such practices can promote the co-creation of knowledge,the sharing of resources,and the empowerment of communities.By leveraging the strengths and resources of different stakeholders REMOVE (Who are they and what do they have stake in?),and homeowners we can enhance the capacity of communities to manage natural and cultural resources sustainably (remove).We can also facilitate the creation of new networks and alliances,promoting social cohesion and resilience.Ultimately,the collaborative biocultural stewardship approach can foster a more integrated,inclusive,and equitable approach to conservation and development that reflects the aspirations and needs of local communities.(REMOVE THIS IS LANGUAGE IT IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FREEDOMS INCREASE GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDER OVERREACH AND BRING IN MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL) CHANGE TO:We can also facilitate the creation of new innovative programs that support and reflect the aspirations of thriving local communities. This fundamental element of the Plan strives to cultivate a sense of place and connection to the environment and recognizes that the management of natural and cultural resources requires the participation of local communities,government,homeowners and other agencies diverse actors,including communities,governments,non-governmental organizations,and private sector entities.By promoting collaborative decision-making and collective action,we can enhance the effectiveness,equity,and legitimacy of conservation and development and innovative policies.By promoting community-based conservation and restoration strategies,we can enhance ecological integrity,promote biodiversity,and preserve cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.(Redundant Remove)Biocultural stewardship acknowledges the role of cultural diversity in shaping environmental perceptions,attitudes,and behaviors (Remove.People do not want to be manipulated).[It recognizes that cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to maintaining ecosystem services and biological diversity.] (remove) Change to:Cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to supporting the growth of thriving communities that wish to improve their environment. Page 39: Table 1:Biocultural (change to Land)Stewardship Challenges The word “Bioculture”is reflective of both biological and cultural factors that affect human behavior.Locals do not want the planning department to affect our behavior.Your job is to support the land,environment,and thriving communities. Native Habitat •Hawaiʻi has been known as the extinction capital of the world. •Climate change and sea level rise pose threats to existing habitats for native flora and fauna. REMOVE (Again,according to 1944 credential scientists from around the world,there is no climate danger.This is a narrative created by the “stakeholders”to move their agenda forward. https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/)Has the water level risen in any of the towns in Hawaii? •Longer and/or more severe weather and climate change may increase the likelihood of wildfires.REMOVE (The Maui fire was NOT normal.A fire where trees do not burn but glass is melted out of cars,where animals and humans are left recognizable,and where plastic doesn’t burn or even melt is not normal.That was an attack and murder of our Lahaina ohana.That is why only 20 building permits have been issued after a year!AND why Lahahina is STILL locked down!) •Invasive species continue to pose a threat to native and endemic species as well economic, environmental,and human health.(Reminder:It is not the responsibility of the planning department to protect people’s health.) •The carrying capacity of our resources is not comprehensively modeled and monitored. (Modeled and monitored should be for government agencies.) •The County lacks specific regulations for wetlands,riparian ecosystems,or other valuable habitats. Stewardship •The County has a limited budget for its large-scale geographic responsibility for the protection of public trust natural and cultural resources.(Revise.This doesn’t make sense.What are you trying to say?What responsibility are you talking about?What does the protection of public trust mean?) •Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of unique biomes and ecosystems. •The difference between traditional and modern practices along with varying mauka to makai ownership makes it difficult to comprehensively steward natural resources. Page 40 Native Habitat The County can collaborate with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create models for monitoring the carrying capacity of natural resources that will support farmers and thriving communities. •Ongoing conservation work can continue to evolve from species-specific conservation (e.g., Albizia eradication)to focus on ecosystem restoration across multiple land ownership to protect Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity and support local farms. •Maintaining healthy,native-dominant forests offers immense savings of land biocultural (Remove)and water resources that might otherwise be lost to the impacts of climate change (Remove)and invasive species. •Conservation lands hold significant value in the water resources they represent. •Incentivizing and developing regenerative land uses without further regulations or fines,such as agroforestry,can provide sustainable opportunities to ecosystems and communities. •Hawaiʻi can become a statewide adaptation and resiliency leader by focusing on its unique strengths and diversity to evolve with changing realities. •Urban forestry can be prioritized or incentivized in the County Code.This means more regulations and possible fines.No thank you!Change to:Support the further growth of current urban forestry Watersheds ●Establish more place-based watershed partnerships to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of those water systems and protect our island’s watersheds and local farms. •Strengthen the integration of Hawaiian biocultural remove resource management and traditional ecological knowledge across County government to support local farms. •Practice an integrated approach to ecosystem-based collaborative management that considers the entire ecosystem and local communities. •Watershed protection and management require collaboration and coordination across all levels of government and must include effective community engagement.Revise to:Support Watershed and management coordination which integrates local communities. Stewardship ●Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of its unique natural biomes and ecosystems. ●Ongoing interagency coordination,including consultation with place-based land stewards,cultural and historical advisory groups,land and homeowners,and other stakeholders being transparent of what they hold stake in. •The County can take a more proactive role in exercising its protective public trust role for natural and cultural resources.This sounds like government overreach.Again,the planning department is NOT responsible for protecting the public.That is a byproduct of what you do but it is NOT the main part of your job!Revise to:The County can take a more proactive role in supporting thriving communities and their natural and cultural resources. •Maintain and increase involvement with existing partnerships and identify new partners that help promote and enhance biocultural (remove)Land stewardship. •Collaborate to complete additional EPA-approved watershed plans to increase eligibility for future conservation funding. Page 41 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal, Objectives,Policies,and Actions Objective 1 Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats. Policies 1.4 Maintain the shoreline for recreational,cultural,educational,and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of nature,respectful of resources,and is of the maximum benefit to the general public. 1.8 Prioritize native landscaping for all County projects while allowing communities to enjoy it at their leisure. 1.11 Encourage and incentivize green belts,tree plantings,and landscape plans and designs in urban areas without further regulations or fines. 1.13 Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource and values without further regulations or fines.and,when appropriate,pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources (Remove!This is a 110%overreach of the government.) 1.14 Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers, homeowners,and other stakeholders (What do they have a stake in?Who are they?)to: Page 42: a)Implement the Hawai‘i State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)(What is this plan?Where can it be found?) b)Better understand and model carrying capacities of the island’s habitats and resources c)Improve the inventory of forested lands and associated ecosystem services d)Encourage the continued identification and inclusion of unique wildlife habitat areas of Native Hawaiian habitat within the Natural Area Reserve System e)Anticipate future habitat migration,especially wetlands and coastal ecosystems f)Prioritize quantitative wetland assessment to identify wetlands g)Expand native and/or endemic forest cover h)Improve enforcement for illegal activities that harm or degrade endemic habitats (Who is defining endemic habitats and how is it defined?I MUST be defined by Hawaii citizen commission and not anyone outside Hawaii.Mainland people should NOT be able to define this.) 1.18 Public landscaping and irrigation shall be designed to maximize water use efficiency and native plants. Actions 1.b Review tree survey requirements and amend the Code to incorporate as part of site planning for public use. 1.h Develop buffer policies to protect native forests,wildlife,rivers,streams,coastal waters,and other native habitats without.This is too vague.What policies are you considering and will that come with penalties?If so,remove this. Page 43 1.i Create incentives for landowners to retain and re-establish forest cover in upland watershed areas with an emphasis on native forest species without further regulations or fines. 1.k Amend the landscape standards in Rule or Code (Remove)to require the use of native plants for screening or landscaping. Change to:Support local education on the importance of using native plants for screening or landscaping. 1.l Amend the Code to incentivize (Remove)Replace with Support local education on the importance of the establishment of threatened and endangered endemic plant species within their habitable ranges during development approvals. 1.m Review the Code and consider amendments to encourage site clustering of development in order to avoid critical environmental areas and assets.REMOVE This is more unneeded regulations.This is BIG Island.People do not need to be ontop of each other.You’re promoting too many regulations. 1.n Develop and establish Open Space Network Overlay on current unoccupied territory for natural landscape features,such as beaches and dunes,forests,streams, floodplains,wetlands,estuaries,or recharge areas that have the inherent capacity to avoid,minimize,or mitigate the impacts of climate change (Remove) 1.q Develop comprehensive programs and policies and provide resources for enhancing urban forestry canopy cover in unoccupied areas and without further regulations or fines for local farmers. 1.u Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders and local farmers to develop a program for the identification and protection of plant species of special status,including plants significant for cultural practitioners. Page 44: 2.7 Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers,and homeowners,and other stakeholders (Remove.Who are these people and what do they have stake in?)to: ○a)Implement a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies priority watershed areas for habitat restoration and enhancement without further regulations or fines on locals. ○b)Review and designate forest,river corridors,and watershed areas into the conservation district during State land use boundary comprehensive reviews. ○c)Monitor nearshore water quality and impacts to reefs and marine environments and address land-based sources of impacts. ○d)Protect and restore wetlands and riparian corridors to ensure more pristine water quality,decrease erosion,and increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration,nutrient/pollutant uptake,soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement,and cultural/community connections without further regulations or fines on locals.. ○e)Develop reasonable standards to improve stream and coastal water quality monitoring and encourage local communities to develop such projects without further regulations or fines on locals. Page 45 Objective 3 Increase direct community restoration and collaborative efforts to conserve and nourish the island’s biocultural resources. Policies 3.1 Encourage an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaiʻi’s resources by protecting,preserving,and conserving critical and significant natural resources without further fines and regulation on the population. Pg 47 Actions 4.b Change from:Reassess Certified Local Government status to ensure the support of farmers and homeowners and maximize funding opportunities for self-supporting communities. 4.h Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners, other local communities,and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in)to develop design guidelines for designated communities containing significant historic buildings,sites,or landscapes. 4.i Assess and prioritize County-owned lands for historic site restoration in collaboration with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,other local communities,and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in). Page 48 Objective 5 Protect,restore,and enhance our communities’unique scenic character. Policies 5.c Develop a process for reviewing and revising guidelines for designating Natural Beauty Sites without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. 5.d Establish a Scenic Resources Protection Program to identify,inventory,and protect areas of significant beauty.The program could include recommendations from the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project (2016)without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. Page 56 3.1 Introduction The climate change section of the General Plan is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated climate mitigation and adaptation efforts on Hawaiʻi Island.This element provides a high-level policy framework,building on the scientific knowledge and government-level strategies and actions developed in the Integrated Action Plan (ICAP)for the island of Hawaiʻi. This is VERY Concerning! As stated earlier the World Climate Declaration was signed currently by 1,944 scientists stating there is no climate danger.Here is what a few more scientists have to say.On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel,on May 14,2010,MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared the following: “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?”it's always doing one or the other.I have no concern about that.By asking people to worry about whether it's going up or down,you're immediately establishing dishonesty.The Earth is always changing.Climate change is nothing you have to prove.It always is happening.It always has happened.So,to make that into something alarming seems a little bit weird to me1.” 1 “Global warming:why you should not worry,”by the Boston Globe,May 14,2010. Dr.David Dilley,a former Meteorologist with the National Weather Service,United States Air Force,Senior Research Meteorologist,and Climatologist at Global Weather Oscillations Inc., has 50 years’experience in meteorology and climatology.He's also a working partner in the International Hurricane Protection Association.This is what he has to say about global warming: “Global warming begins in the Arctic and Antarctic.It has about a 230-year cycle. When it comes back,it takes about 20 years for it to hit its peak.It started in the 1990s and hit its peak this past year.With global warming,the Antarctic and higher regions warm up.As it warms up,you have less cold air available to filter south into the middle latitudes,and it warms the middle latitudes.That is global warming2.” Dilley explained that the same thing happens with global cooling but in reverse,as the temperature increases and decreases in cycles.Dilley then shared that 2022 was the coldest spring and summer on record,with the winter of 2021 being the coldest winter on record.He also shared that in April 2023,five months before the Lahaina Fire,the Earth was running low-to-normal temperatures,and the Arctic was actually cooling down. Dilley is also an expert of the “Milankovitch Cycle,”which illustrates the rotation of the Earth,sun,and the moon,and their effects on global warming.According to Dilley,every 120,000 years,the Earth comes closest to the sun.Then,about 68,000 years later,it's the furthest approach from the sun.He says that our closest approach was 8,000 years ago.Dilley states,“We were warmer 6,000 to 8,000 years ago than we are today.The reason was that we were the closest approach to the sun and we had just come out of an Ice Age.We're 8,000 years off the peak now,and so we're actually cooling down.” John Coleman,also an expert on the weather,shares the same thoughts.Coleman was the original weatherman on Good Morning America in the 1970s.He founded The Weather Channel in the 1980s.In 1982,he was voted “Meteorologist of the Year”by the American Meteorology Society.With regards to the Arctic and sea levels,Coleman states: “They tell us that we're melting the polar ice caps.The Antarctic polar ice cap is at an all-time high,and the Arctic ice cap is increasing again after diminishing. They tell us that we're flooding the shorelines.Do you live on the coast?How much has the water come up in your lifetime?They manufactured data to make it look like we're increasing the water level of the oceans,but we’re not3.” Professor Richard Lindzen states: 3 “John Coleman's case against significant man-made global warming,”by Kusi News,June 24,2013. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=Cn-ApS8z2Y_kiI76 2 “Signals -Global Cooling Cycle Beginning -Global Warming Ending -Professor David Dilley,”by David Dilley GlobalWeatherCycles,May 10,2023.https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=67zNptmdOoWQzWqF https://youtu.be/pwvVephTIHU?si=XoxAcPc51JNOXdeR “At any given place,traditionally,sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges:a stick in the water,basically.Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows:the land moving up and down and the sea moving up and down.In most places,it's the land that has the biggest effect,and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise141.” Let’s review the danger of water rising and engulfing coastline towns.Is there one city or town on the shoreline that is in danger of being underwater?Is Venice,a town that lives at sea level,in danger of being lost to the sea?Have home insurance companies stopped giving insurance policies to homeowners who live on the coastline because they’ll soon be underwater?The answer would be no! On August 21,2020,NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.”It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches)per year between 1900 and 20184.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years!Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water?No.It shows that it will be a very,very,very long time before humans are in danger.Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth”are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12,2007,titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on global warming,"An Inconvenient Truth,"contains "nine errors5."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science”website6. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1.The film claims that melting snow s on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming.The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct. 2.The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years.The Court found that the film was misleading:over that period,the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 6 “Inaccuracies in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth -A Ruling of the British High Court” https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Tru th.html 5“Truth is,Gore film has 9 errors,British judge rules,”by Mary Jordan,Oct 12,2007. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has-9-errors-british-judge-rules/ 4 “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900,”by Ian J.O'Neill /Jane J.Lee,August 21, 2020.https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ 3.The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming.The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible”to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4.The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming.The Government’s expert had to accept that this was not the case. 5.The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice.It turned out that Mr.Gore had misread the study:in fact,four polar bears drowned,and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6.The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream,throwing Europe into an ice age.The Claimant’s evidence was that this was a scientific impossibility. 7.The film blames global warming for species losses,including coral reef bleaching.The Government could not find any evidence to support this claim. 8.The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters,causing the displacement of millions of people.In fact,the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9.The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand.The Government was unable to substantiate this,and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also,the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1.The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt,causing sea levels to rise dangerously.The evidence is that Greenland will not melt for a millennia. 2.The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting;the evidence was that it is,in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore,the documentary’s moderator,makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus.For instance,Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh139.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist”and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted,it would release this amount of water “but only after,and over,a millennia.” The climate change narrative will destroy people’s freedom and add more regulations,fines and fees.Do not allow this government narrative to continue on the Big Island.The people do NOT want more laws,regulations,and fines based on a false narrative that completely changes community infrastructures from self-reliant to “sustainable”living,with “stakeholders”carrying the purse strings and the power.That is NOT Pono! Gregg Braden is a geologist,five-time New York Times best-selling author,scientist, international educator,and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy,and human potential,had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with.We are carbon-based beings.By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life,we’re actually demonizing ourselves7.” Science 101 shows us that plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.If plants die due to lack of carbon dioxide,so do humans for lack of oxygen.During the Cretaceous Period,which began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago,we had a lot more carbon than we do today -tons more!This was the time of the dinosaurs,and everything was huge!Plants were much larger than they are now. The sea levels were also a lot higher during the Cretaceous Period.Was that due to more carbon dioxide?Not according to an article at Britannica.com written by Thor Arthur Hansen,Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology,Paleoecology,and Evolution at Western Washington University,U.S.,and Carl Fred Koch,Professor of Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University,Norfolk,Virginia.It was fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7,2024.The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges8.It was not due to carbon!It was due to the Earth's mantle. On January 11,2023,in an episode titled “Why “THE POWERS THAT BE”are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?”posted on geologist and scientist Gregg Braden’s YouTube channel,John L.Petersen of the Arlington Institute stated: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland,you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide.That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change;it is the response to the temperature change9.” In the same interview,Braden stated: 9 “Why ‘THE POWERS THAT BE’are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?”by Gregg Braden,January 11,2023.https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=cz2jDjrSmJaITiDx 8 “Cretaceous Period,”by Carl Fre Koch,Thor Arthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period 7 “Gregg Braden -Why “THE POWERS THAT BE”are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official,January 11,2023.https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher;that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher;and that C02 is the driving temperature,both of which are not true147.” Gregg showed a graph indicating that during the Cretaceous Period,carbon dioxide levels were over three times higher than they are today.Carbon dioxide levels were between 800-1,000 parts per million.During this period,there was an extreme greening of the Earth. Plants and life thrived! According to Braden: “If CO2 drops below 184 parts per million,that seems to be the threshold where we (humans) are in trouble!If CO2 drops below those levels,we are actually cutting off the very life-force that is providing oxygen on this planet.” Is the entire CO2 narrative intended to increase the bankroll of the “stakeholders”around the world invested in renewable energy with no regard for human life? Stakeholders who’ve invested in progressive and “sustainable energy"have a lot to gain in their pocketbooks by populations living in fear of climate change and believing they will be “saving”the Earth by going along with renewable energy and electric vehicles.They’ll also be giving up a lot of their freedoms in doing so. Page 59 Transportation The General Plan further discusses strategies for decreasing vehicle reliance and (Remove) improving public Transportation Access and Mobility.You have no right to hinder people’s right to travel.Please take ANYTHING out that references decreasing people’s use of their vehicle! The County can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power public facilities and infrastructure,reducing VMT,(REMOVE).YOU CANNOT LIMIT PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRAVEL.THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION AND IS BEYOND YOUR JURISDICTION Page 61 The General Plan expands on opportunities for climate-conscious land development in the Land Use section without violating people’s rights,over regulating or increasing fines. Page 63 The General Plan further expands on strategies to increase resilience in the Transportation Access and Mobility,Public Utilities,and Public Facilities and Services sections without violating the Constitution,or over regulating farmers and homeowners. The General Plan expands on renewable energy in the Public Utilities section with safety studies prior to installation,and without increasing costs to the public. Page 66 Transportation •Promoting the use of electric vehicles through expanding charging infrastructure and educating the public on the safety studies done for the use of these vehicles from third parties. Renewable Energy •Increasing the use of green technology (including third party safety studies)will increase the energy independence of individuals and businesses on the island. •Supporting renewable energy technologies,such as solar,wind,ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC),and geothermal (Remove.This practice is not safe for an island with active volcanoes!) Land Use &the Built Environment •Implementing smart growth strategies,without violating people’s right to travel can reduce urban sprawl and create more walkable communities. •Developing a County building code that balances health and safety,affordability,and carbon footprint (REMOVE!This is more regulations and fines.NOT Pono!It is NOT your responsibility to focus on people’s health.That is for each individual!This is an overreach! •Encouraging the construction of energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings being sure to prove any additional technology is safe for the public.. •Promoting regenerative agriculture practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration while not further regulating farms or increasing fines. •Greening urban areas increases the availability of cool areas for residents to live and recreate. •Integrating energy savings and waste management,without more regulations and fines on the population,provides an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in new development. Conservation •Protecting reefs and marine ecosystems that act as carbon sinks,without hindering public use. •Implementing a One Water strategy and other water-saving technologies and practices can reduce the energy required for water treatment and distribution.This is NOT a good idea.If this goes down,where will people get their water?Remove or revise. •Conserving natural habitats without hindering public use to preserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change. •Efforts to expand renewable energy,with third party safety studies and without hindering public use,can consider the preservation of unique and diverse ecosystems,avoiding negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats. Additional Measures •Improving public engagement about climate change and encouraging sustainable practices. (Remove and educate yourself on the fact that scientists from around the world have stated there is no climate danger.) •Implementing policies and regulations that support climate mitigation efforts,without further regulations or fines on locals.(Please educate yourself) •Supporting research into new technologies and approaches for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience and include third party safety studies while ensuring no further cost to the public. Page 67 Water Resources •Management Promoting a One Water strategy can create cross-agency collaboration to identify and address overlapping challenges in adapting to sea level rise and building more resiliency into infrastructure across water,wastewater and stormwater sectors.How does this promote collaboration?This seems like a monopoly. Agriculture &•Food Security Encouraging the cultivation of climate-resilient and diversified crops to enhance food security without further regulations and fines. Infrastructure &Urban Planning Retrofitting or relocating bridges and roads provides an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions by reducing miles traveled.(REMOVE)THIS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION.YOU CANNOT DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL.ALSO,HOW ARE YOU GOING TO “RELOCATE”LOCAL BRIDGES.THIS SHOULD BE REMOVED! ●Implement zoning and land use planning policies that consider climate risks and promote sustainable development after a full investigation of the climate change narrative is examined.(Do not further regulate and fine people without fully investigating the climate change narrative and proving that any additional technology is safe for the human life.) Social Equity ●Engage communities in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that adaptation measures are socially inclusive (Remove.This is woke language.)and culturally appropriate. ●Increasing equitable resilience to climate hazards will benefit historically marginalized and frontline Engage communities (What does this mean?)and those that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Energy &•Transportation ●Invest in renewable energy sources that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience. ●Promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce overall energy consumption and without increasing regulations or fines Biodiversity &Ecosystems ●Managed retreat strategies and new shoreline setback regulations would expand open space along the shoreline to support coastal ecosystems such as anchialine pools without hindering public access. ●Supporting conservation programs that are proven safe for the people and the environment can help protect native species and habitats from climate change impacts without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. ●Strengthening measures to control and eradicate invasive species can help protect local ecosystems. ●Enhance habitat connectivity to allow species to migrate in response to changing environmental conditions without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. Education &Capacity Building ●Build capacity for local government agencies by providing training and resources that improve their ability to plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives without increasing regulations and fines. ●Collaborate and coordinate with the County’s Office of Sustainability,Climate,Equity, and Resilience (OSCER).This is woke language and should be removed. ●Support research and monitoring efforts to better understand climate impacts and the effectiveness of adaptation measures.(Please educate yourself on this false narrative) ●Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and adaptation strategies.REMOVE (This is a FALSE narrative that you would be perpetuating.) Page 68 3.2 Climate Change Goal, Objectives,Policies,and Actions This ENTIRE section should be removed.Rosa Korie WARNED that what is planned for this country through the planning departments “is an erasure of jurisdictional boundaries.It is a loss of private property rights,a loss of sovereignty -both personal physical sovereignty and physical sovereignty in terms of our nation -and it's a loss of our freedom.” From Rosa Koire's special presentation to the New Hampshire Legislature. https://youtu.be/350IbVtpzvw?si=u_NNsNoL9XtGxDEA Page 71 8.3 Collaborate with farmers,government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts.(Please educate yourself on this false narrative.Is Kona or Hilo or any Hawaiian town close to being underwater?NO!) 8.11 Partner with government (e.g.,State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development [OPSD]),private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to analyze conservation buffers to accommodate shifting native habitats impacted by climate change,particularly wetlands and high-elevation forests. (Remove this ENTIRE section!We do NOT want “buffer”zones!You want to take away the ability for people to be in nature.That is NOT pono!) 8.b Support and partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?on research for adaptive policies and technology that includes safety studies to the public and environment,that increase resilience without further regulations and fines on the public.. 8.d Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard-prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation. REMOVE.THIS IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH!THIS IS NOT A COMMUNIST COUNTRY!YOU CANNOT TAKE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY! 8.e Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to implement environmentally beneficial upgrades for wastewater,irrigation,and/or landscaping,including sea level rise,storm,and other climate change considerations.(Remove).Getting at least three bids for contracts from different companies. Pg 74 -4.1.1 Introduction 1st para:“achieve sustainable development and”(Remove) change “resilient”to safe 2nd para:“Sustainable development is a key objective of land use planning for the County.By strategically”and in the sentence “Land use planning is essential.(Remove)change “resilient” to safe. 3rd para:-change “resilience”to safety.“and the impacts of climate change”(Remove)Better prepared for and protected against potential disasters.Change:“sustainable”to diversified. “desirable”to fair,equitable. Last para 5th line down:Change:“should”to may Pg 75 Economic Opportunity Planning:“other growth sectors.”Need to be specific,identify other growth sectors. Last sentence:“muck like the weave of sustainability,”(Remove) Pg.76 Table 16:Land Use Key Trends Changing &Aging Population:“Over the next 25 years …..0.9%per annum”decline in population already seen and projected needs to addressed as to why the population is in decline.How you do Planning if you don’t address reasons for population decline.This is crucial. Housing Affordability &Choice:“In 2010…”down to “However,on average,Hawaii County’s overcrowding…..” Shifting Visitor Accommodation Types:-Change “With the upward trend….”to “rentals.”& “There is also a shift..”Revise that entire sentence. Job Availability &Growth:-Revise last sentence “In 2020,14%of the…..” Pg.77 Table 17:Land Use Challenges Revise: Infrastructure section Regulations section Funding &Financing entire section Land Use Compatibility entire section Public Engagement entire section -(My note is What is NIMBYism?) Pg.78 Table 18:Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure::last sentence “County departments can provide…..” Regulations:Red:“Collaborate across State and County agencies to…..”(Need more public input and ideas); “The most direct role the County plays..,..property tax policy.”(Need much more research on property tax rates,regulations,policies &scrutinized by the public who are affected by paying property taxes.This should be the most glaring concern so that we do not leave tax burden for future generations who may lose their properties to taxes paid to the government). Funding &Financing:“Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity building plan…..stakeholders.”(Remove) Market Conditions:“Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments….”Add: without violating people’s right to own property or take this out.Revise it.This is government overreach! Land Use Compatibility:“Demonstrate smart growth developments.”(Remove) Public Engagement:“Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBY)without further regulations and fines.”(What is YIMBY?)and next line “Apply strategies to….”“stakeholder”.Who are these stakeholders?What do they have stake in? Pg.79 4.1.2 Land Use Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions Item 9.7 -Red:“Encourage”change to Mandate developers Item 9.8 -Red:“Route selection for …..”that entire sentence.(This is a high priority revision as it pertains directly to 5G dangers.Here is where the people/public need to have direct input/approval/changes. Item 9.a -Red:“Develop a process for County…..”this is crucial for public scrutiny &opportunity for the public to get transparency.Transparency can only be realized if we,the public include ourselves into all governmental processes.If not,we will not get transparency,period! Pg 80 Land Use Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions -continued Item 9.e -“Conduct a review and re-evaluation….”entire sentence to be revised. Item 10.3 “Proposed discretionary permits for large developments…..Ka’u Districts”-Not clear needs revision. Item 10.b “Amend…….allow CPDs to be applied to all zoning districts…”-Why amend the Zoning Code?We need to compare current Zoning Codes to what they propose to amend to see if the people or the developers have the advantage.What are CPDs? Item 10.c -Red:“Collaborate with the State Office of Planning…..Native Hawaiian customary and traditional..”Need to revise to ensure that Hawaiian cultural experts,NOT the State government or its agencies have any input for preserving,protecting,educating,safeguarding, sharing,marketing,..every aspect of utilizing our native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli)heritage of language,practices,traditions,religion &more belong exclusively to the kanaka maoli elders, experts,kupuna,kahuna,healers NEVER the government or its agencies…NEVER!!! Pg 81 continue Item 11.4 “Concurrency reviews should incorporate…..(Remove)”entire sentence absolutely NO! Actions 11.a -Red:“Collaborate with the SHPD to create…..”entire sentence -Need experts. 11.d -Red:“Amend Zoning Code….”do not give the Planning Director more power,it’s time to decrease power for that position,we need to humble these government workers/servants.Now is that time as history has shown us,when they have power,they want more;when they have more power,it’s not enough &the cycle continues while the people suffer.STOP giving away the power from the people. 11.f -“Update traffic impact…..”(Remove)entire sentence.Travel should not be the Planning Board’s power to take away from me or you,ever. Objective 12 Reduce the threat to life and property from natural hazards and disasters. Policies The above sentence -Red:add “unnatural &natural hazards”-It is important to identify the reality that unnatural hazards have always existed,therefore,why is that omitted? 12.3 Red:“Consider natural …….”Again add in unnatural &force the Planning Board to address DE disasters,weather machine disasters which are human created disasters,which is criminal.Why shouldn’t the Planning Board include these disasters as they certainly affect the health &safety of the people &our environment. 12.8 Red:“Encourage the development….”entire sentence.Again,must address DE/Weather machines/human initiated disasters. Pg 82 Actions Item 12.a -Red:“Update the Building Code…..”entire sentence need extreme revisions,I initially wanted to delete,but it is necessary to revise to include unnatural/man made disasters & address “carbon footprint”.These are areas to not hide by deleting,but rather talk about them through revisions. Item 12.g -“Amend the Zoning Code….”(Remove)Until they can prove climate change is happening,delete this section that refers to climate change as that is a false narrative that we the people/public should not allow to continue.I do not want to tell a lie over &over again until everyone believes it.That’s breaking the 10 commandments. Pg.83 4.1.3 Overview of Land Use Designations and Maps No changes. Pg.84 Table 19:General Plan Land Use Designations and Maps No Changes Pg.85 Agriculture and Natural Land Use No Changes Pg 86 4.1.4 Urban Growth Areas 2nd para:Red:“Smart Growth”change to something safer,know what it represents not hidden meanings.Black out:the word “sustainable”and from “More specifically,urban centers have been designed to create….Driving.”-The government or its agencies should not impede or alter the rights of citizens to travel it’s call our right to travel,which is constitutional. Pg 87 Objective 13 Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. Policies Red:change “Smart Growth”to Evaluate and analyze development within designated urban centers. Item 13.3 Red:“Incentivize”what is that &how does it benefit the public? 13.6 Red:“may include additional acreages to account for…..”must revise section to make it clearer as to how this inclusion will work to the advantage or disadvantage of historic sites, public access,parks,&open spaces.More clarity is necessary because saying ok to unclear “PLANNING”should never be accepted. Item #13.12 -Red:Revise entire sentence “Urban renewal,rehabilitation….”need to include people or the public not just communities,businesses,&governmental agencies.Planning Boards should always include the people/public.This will give people the power to make decisions,not just testify for 3 minutes at a Planning Commission hearing.That needs to change.More people/public involvement needs to be promoted.This involvement may be the inspiration or motivation for people to become active in planning for themselves,their future generations.It is time for governments &businesses to take a back seat! Item 13.13 Red:Revise entire sentence.“Support master planning by …..”it’s not “Support”it should be to Scrutinize,evaluate,analyze and recommend by experts and the people. Pg.88 Commercial -Industrial Item 13.28 Red:“Discretionary permit applications…..Entire sentence need revision as it is not fair to have Discretionary permit applications for new commercial developments.Everyone follows the rules,no exceptions by the Planning Board. Resort Item 13.49 -Red:Revise “On-site affordable housing and workforce units shall be excluded from the total permitted visitor unit counts…..”Again,how does this exclusion help the people, the visitors,the workforce?How does it affect permitted visitor unit counts? Pg 90 Actions 13.c Red:revise “Amend the Subdivision Code to ensure block sizes are based….”What are the current codes &what are the proposed amendments to compare who will have the advantage or disadvantage of this proposal to Amend Subdivision Code. Pg.91 Urban Character Guidelines Table 20:Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Character Guidelines No Changes. Pg.92 Table 21:Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.93 Table 22:Urban Neighborhood Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.94 Table 23:Industrial Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.95 Table 24:Criteria for Industrial Land Conversion to Commercial/Mixed-Use No Changes Pg.96 Table 25:Resort Area Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.97 4.1.5 Rural No Changes Pg.98 Objective 14 Maximize the use of Rural designated lands to preserve rural character and lifestyle.Policies All items from 14.1,14.2,14.3,14.4,14.5,14.6 -Red:Must revise all items as the Planning Board is asking for Support of everything they are doing,which contradicts any changes that the public may be deemed detrimental.Asking for “blind”support is ridiculous. Actions -Items 14.a,14.b,14.c,&14.d Red:Revise all items as it is asking to Amend Zoning Code,zoning districts which is crucial to see current codes compared to amendments.How are these amendments affecting the public to their advantage vs.disadvantages.This is very important to NOT just accept amendments.Thorough research is necessary to protect the public. Pg.99 Table 26:Rural Neighborhood Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.100 4.1.6 Agriculture Last para:“The General Plan provides planning tools to incentivize the highest and best use of productive agricultural lands.The Plan’s policies……entire paragraph need to be revised.I am especially concerned with the word “incentivize the highest and best use…here again what does this mean,how will it be done,who benefits. Pg.101 Objective 15 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Actions All items 15.a,15.b,15.c.15.d,15.e must be revised Not just Amend. Pg.102 Actions (continue) Item 15.f -Revise “Update the Real Property Tax Code…..”need public input for transparency. Item 15.g Revise “Amend the Zoning Code…”again do not just accept Amending Item 15.k Revise “Collaborate with USDA and the State….It’s not just collaborate,it’s what are the decisions based upon,what are the final decisions,how are these decisions helping farmers.Since,we have passed hundreds of years farming in Hawaii you would think we have identified major problems,why these problems do not get resolved,who are responsible for the non-resolutions.This is just repeating ….USDA,the State who have been in charge of agriculture,I want to see a report card that covers 1950s to 2023.Report cards are transparency mechanisms to identify who &what are creating our farmer’s problems.We cannot fix anything without transparency.Politicians say it,but absolutely no actions.This section is entitled ACTION.Let us begin to act. Pg.104 4.2.1 Introduction Third para:“Resilience….”I don’t want the word resilience to be an escape mechanism for the government or its agencies.That word should change. The last para:“The Plan is focused on improving connectivity within …..”this sounds good,but I don’t see good results as I am pass 70 yrs old.We should not accept “rinse &repeat”.What did the Planning Board learn from over 100 yrs.Of past failures?They say they focus on improving,yet we cannot determine how they will improve.Stronger language to ensure that the public can know they plan to improve. Pg.105 Table 27:Transportation Key Trends No Changes Pg.106 Table 28:Transportation Challenges All items Red:Revisions necessary.It refers to electric cars,Pre-COVID-19 (false narratives that must be stopped) Pg.107 Table 29:Transportation Opportunities All items Red:Need revisions since they want to establish metrics,improve interagency collaboration,prepare projects,standardize interagency agreements.It contains a multitude of changes that are unclear,very ambiguous,&again,transparency is lacking. Pg.108 4.2.2 Transportation Goal,Objective,Policies,and Actions All items Red:Requires revisions.Examples:item 16.2 “Encourage safe and convenient use …...non-polluting”What is non-polluting to the Planning Board?What do they know about pollution as they don’t know that EMFs are dangerous pollutants.And example:Item 16.10 “Identify and evaluate transportation…..energy and climate issues.”We need to stop the false Pg.109 Actions -continue All items -Red:Revisions necessary.Same reasons as above for Pg.108. Sorry Michelle -did not complete pages 104 to 118-119.Can do later/Kalei K.completed today, Monday 9-23-24 at 12:01 pm. Pg.110 4.2.3 Active Living Corridors and Public Access No Changes Pg.111 Objective 17 Increase transportation connectivity. Policies All items Red:Need revisions.Example:Item 17.1 “Ensure Native Hawaiian access rights are clearly expressed….”This is an area of talk talk talk &no action.Again,what violations have already occurred,how long have these violations been going on,have these violations stopped? Just putting in a sentence in a Plan does not mean it has been adhered to.Therefore,these proposals are weak.As a native Hawaiian it is imperative to get enforcement for these violations,identify violations,how long it’s been happening,why &who are responsible to stop violations,protect native Hawaiian access rights.If this item #is weak,which it is -than the others need revisions. Pg.112 Table 30:Public Access Spacing Standards No Changes Pg.4.2.4 Mass Transit All paragraphs need revisions Red:revisions necessary.Mass Transit has been proven wrong on Oahu,the Rail.Over budgeted,from hundreds of millions of dollars (budgeted)to billions of dollars,NOT budgeted.Who is paying for this government error?You,me &our visitors.We have an historic example from the City &County of Honolulu.The people protested against this “Rail”,but years later a Mayor brought back the Rail &all Mayors thereafter continue with this project.Please investigate this “Planning”before Hawaii County repeats history.All words in this section/page are the same words use by the Planning Dept.of the City &County of Honolulu. Absolutely requires total revisions to 4.2.4 Mass Transit Pg.114 Objective 18 Increase mass transit ridership by 50 percent by 2045 Policies All items are basic objectives.No changes (yet) Pg.115 4.2.5 Roadways 2nd to last para:What is the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan Pink:Concern Pg.116 Objective 19 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) All items Red:Need revisions Concern -What is reduce vehicle miles traveled?Why reduce vehicle miles traveled?What is this agenda for &what will it accomplish?Who will benefit? Again,our right to travel cannot be altered or impeded as that right is protected by the US Constitution &God. Pg.117 Objective 20 Achieve a transportation system that employs all modes of transportation at a community scale. All items need to be revised Pg.117 continue:Objective 21 Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff.Policies All items Red:Concern See item 21.1 “green infrastructure strategies,and pollution prevention procedures….”Again,sine the Planning Board does not understand EMF pollution &its dangerous -what are they talking about here “pollution prevention procedures..” Pg.118 continue from above.Actions &Objective 22 Increase transportation safety for transportation’s most vulnerable users and reduce traffic fatalities.Policies All items Red:revise Pg.119 Continue from above. All items from 22.7 to 22.9 Red:revise Concern. 22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles.This appears to be referencing the very unproven technology of ‘driverless cars??’Emerging technology needs to go through rigorous standards of testing before being released onto roadways.This text here,with a clear reference to something that is already proving dangerous on the roadways and the subject of lawsuits does not belong in our County Plan. 22.8 Maintain dedicated roadway standards that are appropriate to roadway type and achieve active transportation and safety goals. 22.9 Engage and collaborate with the owners of private roads and local community groups to help identify and develop road management agreements that mitigate road closures to provide emergency evacuation routes. Actions 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles.This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail.These safety principles need to be spelled out or they don’t belong in the County Plan. ●22.b Develop educational programs promoting traffic safety.Where something is designated an ‘action’in a County General Plan Document,sufficient detail should be provided.This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. ●Objective 23 Adequately maintain public transportation systems. Policies ●23.1 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans for pavement,bridges,and other road infrastructure to prolong the life of our transportation system as well as reduce its whole-life cost. ●23.2 Maintain the unique features of historic bridges,while balancing safety needs and preserving historic and scenic character. ●23.3 Prioritize the replacement of deficient and inadequate bridges and maintain pedestrian/bicycle access across bridges. ●23.4 Design new bridges and bridge improvements to accommodate and not negatively impede identified scenic resources. ●23.5 Evaluate freight routes identified in the State Freight Master Plan for required improvements to meet roadway standards. ●23.6 Encourage the adoption of innovative materials and methods that improve roadway sustainability and resilience. Actions ●23.a Create an asset management program. ●23.b Continue the bridge inspection program and expand rehab or replacement to include active transportation accommodations. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 119 Roadway Standards The County adheres to several federal and industry standards for roadway design.These include the AASHTO Green Book and Roadside Design Guide,the MUTCD,the NACTO,and the Highway Capacity Manual.5 Examples of topics addressed by these guidelines include road geometry (e.g.,curves,sight distance),safety within ROWs adjacent to travel ways,design speeds,level of service,signs/striping/signaling,and urban transit.In addition to these sources, the County adheres to the following locally defined standards. Street Standards Highways shall not be wider than four through travel lanes that accommodate single occupancy vehicles and should be limited to the most populated areas typically connecting residential areas with employment centers. Integrate transportation networks to prioritize the most vulnerable roadways users and the greenest modes of travel through a Multimodal Hierarchy (Figure 7)that prioritizes investments in the following order: 1.Pedestrian 2.Public Transit 3.Bicycle 4.Auto This is a directive for future transportation policy ?It is 4 words and yet it is a giant reach toward a set of ideals and it is not explained at all in detail. OBJECTION :This ‘policy directive’reflects a radical socialist agenda of forcing people to give up automobiles and give up their autonomy at the same time.This shows contempt for the most basic principles of freedom..We refer you to :The United States Constitution which “protects the freedom to move about within the country,both domestically and internationally.This fundamental right is deeply rooted in American liberty and has been recognized and protected by the Supreme Court.“ The priorities established in a General Plan should reflect careful consideration of the island’s economy and how to best support our island economy but instead this prioritization of pedestrians ‘first’and ‘automobile’transport reflects an obsession with addressing carbon as a ‘cause’for an alleged crisis for our climate..It’s strange to us that in this document that purports to be about a plan for ‘development’there is barely a focus on the actual economy.Here instead we see a document ‘prioritizing’Pedestrian travel (on an island with very few densely populated urban centers)without context of what will actually promote agriculture,commerce,industries, jobs and economic activities.This directive would make more sense for an Oahu General Plan because of the size of the land mass and ratio of population.If it is in this document without much explanation then it appears to be a reflection of a ‘fad’in transportation policy rather than a practical and well thought out policy directive. The minimum roadway width standards to accommodate the County Roadway Classifications were adopted in Resolution 779-20.The following provides an overview of this standard with reference to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)Functional Classification system. 4.2.6 Transportation Terminals:Airports and Harbors As a major hub for tourism,commerce,and connectivity,Hawaiʻi County recognizes the importance of effective planning and management of its airports and harbors.These key infrastructure components serve as lifelines that facilitate economic growth,enhance regional connectivity,and provide essential services for residents and visitors.Airports and harbors connect the County to the rest of the world,allowing for the efficient movement of goods, people,and ideas.They are essential nodes within the transportation network,acting as important economic drivers for the region.Efficient airports and harbors directly contribute to the success of various industries,including tourism,agriculture,trade,and logistics.Moreover,they are instrumental in supporting emergency response efforts,disaster management,and ensuring the overall resilience of the region’s transportation system. Again,over and over the objection ‘in general’to this General Plan 2045 is that the document references ‘economic growth’and yet does not address the actual drivers of the economy in detail.As public servants it is your best service to our island if you would study how you can support the farmers,producers of goods and services to build a great economy together. Unfortunately there are dozens of instances where legislators and public servants have imposed restrictions,fees and taxes on those very ‘drivers’of our economy.Airport Terminals and Harbors do not ‘cause’the economy to grow and are not drivers of the economy and yet we see a General Plan with weighted emphasis on ‘transportation’and urban development without seeing evidence of a study of what will actually support the individuals and households that produce economic value for our actual economy.This is an extremely poor outcome for a document that presents as a ‘guide’for legislators and policy makers for the next 20 plus years. The principal concerns of planning for transportation terminals involve a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects,including location,zoning of adjacent land, infrastructure development,capacity management,safety and security measures, environmental sustainability,integration with other modes of transportation,and financing and programming of improvements and services through capital improvement projects.While the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (DOT)is responsible for the actual design, construction,and operation of terminals and supporting facilities,the General Plan addresses the location of these facilities in relation to the pattern of overall land uses.There are two deep draft harbors on the island,one in Hilo and another in Kawaihae. While improvements continue to be made,both harbor terminals lack adequate docking and Harbor has increased significantly as the population and development in West Hawaiʻi continue to grow.In 2011,the Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan was developed by the State to accommodate the future needs of facilities ●CONCERN:THE HARBORS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII.THEY ARE HARBORS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR ISLAND AND WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY.WHAT HAPPENED TO HOME RULE?WHERE WAS THE CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE TO HAND OVER CONTROL OF OUR HARBORS TO THE STATE ?. ● ●Air terminals that transportation are in Hilo,Waimea,ʻUpolu,and Kona.The terminals at Hilo and Kona are overseas facilities.Overseas flights at the Kona International Airport at Keahole will continue to increase with the growth of resort areas in Kona and Kohala. Overseas flights through Hilo International Airport have been important for agriculture in East Hawaiʻi. ●What is concerning about this County General Plan 2045 is the lack of analysis about our actual economy.WHY DO WE SEE A DOCUMENT THAT STATES ‘OVERSEAS FLIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WITH THE GROWTH OF RESORT AREAS?’THIS PLAN SEEMS FLAWED DUE TO LACKING IN CRITICAL ‘ARGUMENTS’FOR THE PLANNED GROWTH BASED ON ACTUAL NUMBERS AND STUDIES .IF THERE ARE STUDIES AND STATISTICS THAT DO SUPPORT THE ASSERTIONS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE GENERAL PLAN ABOUT PROJECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH THEN THEY SHOULD BE REFERENCED AND INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.ALSO CITATIONS OF WHERE THIS INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC IN ‘CONSULTATIONS’ ●STRANGELY THE HILO PLAN IS MISSING FROM THE GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENT AND THIS IS ONE OF TWO URBAN CENTERS AND THE CENTER FROM WHICH TWO OF THE ‘HARBORS’AND ‘TERMINALS’OPERATE?THIS SEEMS (AGAIN)A GLARING OMISSION. ●Since 2011,the DOT has embarked on a $2.3 billion Hawaiʻi Airports Modernization Program to improve the safety,capacity,and efficiency of our major passenger and cargo airports. As the population becomes more mobile and as resident and visitor populations increase,there will be a greater demand for new and expanded transportation facilities that are adjacent to compatible land uses and include alternative and active transportation connections to decrease the demand for cars and reliance on fossil fuels.OBJECTION TO THIS SENTENCE IS THAT IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY FACTS OR AN ARGUMENT MADE FOR THE CASE BEING PRESENTED.AGAIN THE CONCERN ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT IS THAT IT IS COMMITTING OUR ENTIRE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEGISLATURE TO A RADICAL COURSE OF ACTION BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT FOSSIL FUELS ARE TO BE ERADICATED AND THAT PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ALSO BE ERADICATED AND OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.THESE PREMISES ARE PART OF A RADICAL SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION SINCE IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LIMIT THE FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS TO FREELY MOVE ABOUT. service inter-island 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 122 Objective 24 Improve accessibility to airports,harbor systems,and support facilities. Policies ●24.1 Encourage the programmed improvement of existing terminals,including adequate provisions for control of pollution and appropriate and adequate covered storage facilities for agricultural products. ●24.2 The State Department of Transportation should continue to implement its plans for transportation terminals and related facilities to promote and follow desired land use policies. ●24.3 Transportation terminals should be developed in conjunction with the different elements of the overall transportation system. ●24.4 Encourage maximum use of the island's airport and harbor facilities. ●24.5 Encourage the development,maintenance,and enhancement of Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors as detailed within the State’s Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan.THIS COULDN’T BE MORE VAGUE AS A STATED OBJECTIVE.IT DOESN’T REFERENCE THE VERY PRACTICAL MATTERS OF ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR ISLAND.WHERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ACTUAL ECONOMY IN THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT ?THIS ALSO OMITS MENTION THAT A PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY WOULD BE THE RATIONALE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT KAWAIHAII AND HILO HARBORS.AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO HANDING OVER HARBORS TO THE STATE OF HAWAII WHERE THEY ARE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE ISLAND . ●24.6 Support the State’s objectives to acquire rights within the runway clear-zones,limit heights within approach zones,and restrict noise-sensitive uses within designated noise contours determined by the State.CONCERN:THIS APPEARS TO REFERENCE PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND SUGGESTS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD ‘SUPPORT’THE STATE TO RESTRICT USES AND ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS ‘NEAR TO AIRPORTS?’THIS AGAIN IS ONE MORE COMMUNIST LAND GRAB PRACTICE.THIS DOESN’T BELONG IN OUR COUNTY PLAN DOCUMENT FOR 2045. ●24.7 Future land uses in the vicinity of airports and harbors should have an adequate open space buffer and/or be compatible with the anticipated noise exposure and industrial nature in the vicinity. ●24.8 Encourage pedestrian-oriented connectivity around harbors and small boat harbors. ●24.9 Encourage master planning of small boat harbors to accommodate commercial and recreational fishing,tour boats,as well as business and recreational ocean activities,that balance economic vitality and environmental sensitivity.CONCERN THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE MANY USERS FROM ACCESS TO HARBORS (SAILING COMMUNITY,FISHING COMMUNITY HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGHER USER FEES AND MORE RESTRICTIONS OF USE IN RECENT YEARS)AND MANY OF THE HARBORS IN THE STATE HAVE BECOME PRIVATIZED.(If privatization occurs,then management controls everything..). Actions ●24.a Create a strategic improvement plan,including mapping,for County owned and/or managed boat harbors and develop an island-wide needs assessment to better serve regional gaps in ocean accesses. ●24.b Ensure collaboration with State agencies to offer a variety of transportation options at airports and harbors. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 123 4.3 PUBLIC UTILITIES 4.3 Public Utilities ●4.3.1 Introduction ●4.3.2 Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions ●4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation ●4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse ●4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure ●4.3.6 Electricity and Renewable Energy ●4.3.7 Telecommunications and Broadband Connectivity 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 124 4.3.1 Introduction In Hawaiʻi County’s pursuit of a prosperous and resilient future,public utilities stand as pillars of essential infrastructure.THERE IS A LOFTY CLAIM MADE BY THIS ENTIRE EXERCISE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DOCUMENT ITSELF REPRESENTS ANY KIND OF PLAN FOR A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE.THERE ARE MANY BUZZWORDS THAT ARE BEING USED IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT ARE HOLLOW.THESE WORDS THEMSELVES DON’T CONJURE UP A FUNCTIONING ECONOMY BUT THEY DO OFTEN GIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS THE WARM FEELING THAT THESE WORDS CAN ‘DO ALL THE WORK.’THIS DOCUMENT IS LACKING IN A GROUNDING OF ACTUAL ECONOMIC STUDY AND LACKS THE INSIGHTS INTO THE OBVIOUS WAYS THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM SECTOR AND ENCOURAGE NEW INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND. These are services regulated by the government and provided in response to existing and prospective patterns of development.Changes in land use,population density,and development usually generate changes in the demand and supply of utilities.As the backbone of modern society,public utilities encompass a wide range of vital services that support the health,safety, and sustainability of our communities.This critical infrastructure allows us to function in many ways,including the ability to maintain healthy living conditions,proper sanitation,and access reliable energy to power our homes and businesses. Public utilities play a key role in forming the foundation upon which social,economic,and environmental progress is built.Such essential services enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors,and businesses while safeguarding the natural resources and cultural heritage of our island.The significance of public utilities can be understood through their contributions in the areas of environmental sustainability,economic prosperity,and social well-being. Public utilities drive environmental stewardship by promoting clean energy generation,efficient water management,waste reduction,and recycling initiatives. AS PART OF GENERAL PLANNING AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICE,WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO AUDIT OF THE WASTEWATER DIVISION OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT?NO DOCUMENT PURPORTING TO PLAN AHEAD FOR 2O PLUS YEARS CAN COVER FOR THE FACT THAT MALADMINISTRATION AND POOR LEADERSHIP HAS LEAD TO MULTIPLE ‘FAILS’OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT WHERE LEAKS OCCURRED AND THE PUBLIC WASN’T ADEQUATELY INFORMED.THE PLAN SHOULD START WITH A MORE SERIOUS ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURES OF THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM. Through the application of sustainable practices and technologies,public utilities protect our fragile ecosystems,mitigate climate change impacts,and preserve the beauty of our island for future generations.HOW DO ‘PUBLIC UTILITIES’‘MITIGATE’‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ? This is an example of a wild overstatement and is not supported by fact.Additionally,robust and reliable infrastructure attracts investment,supports economic growth,and fosters job creation.From powering local industries to enabling efficient transportation networks,public utilities are catalysts for economic development,making our communities more resilient in the face of challenges.Waste to Energy incinerators have been opposed multiple times in the past in Hawaii County and each time a massive multi million dollar contract for construction of an incinerator was required which the public was going to be financing over many years.We notice that the Incinerator ‘Waste to Energy’proposal is in this County General Plan 2045 in spite of all the protests in the past.This history of pushing forward unpopular projects that have seen community objection and then forcing the property Access to safe and affordable utilities is a fundamental right of every individual. Really ??Who wrote this ?As a general comment,it has been pointed out repeatedly that this ‘General Plan’document is poorly written and has many flaws.Here we see misuse of the term ‘fundamental rights’where there is no such ‘fundamental right.’While ‘Safe and Affordable utilities’may be considered ‘essential’for a ‘standard of living’or to meet the definition of ‘economic prosperity’but use of the phrase ‘fundamental right’is a confusion of what the legal understanding is concerning ‘fundamental rights.’The ‘fundamental rights’of say ..‘freedom to move’ARE (as cited elsewhere in the transportation section)the rights that this document happily waives aside (ignoring the Constititution in the process). Further,there should be statistics included about what proportion of the island currently is ‘off grid’since that proportion is very high and those numbers would provide a necessary context for all discussion about proposals to provide utilities ‘affordably’AND ‘universally.’ Public utilities ensure equitable distribution of resources,allowing residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy necessities such as clean water,affordable energy,and accessible internet-based services.These services enhance public health,education,and overall quality of life,fostering thriving and inclusive communities.‘ As with previous comment,this entire section seems flawed due to lacking in facts.This statement reflects ‘wishes’rather than a series of steps toward an attainable goal. Given the unique challenges posed by our geography and vulnerable ecosystem,the General Plan aims to effectively guide the development,maintenance,and improvement of these critical services.This section of the Plan is primarily concerned with the planning aspects of our,water, wastewater,stormwater,electricity,and telecommunications systems.Planning for the location of utility facilities such as reservoirs,pumping stations,and sewage treatment plants is an important aspect of the land planning process,as it makes way for development opportunities. Where is the context for this statement?Here we see the notion of ‘development opportunities’ being introduced without context or explanation.This is objectionable since it could be interpreted by future administrations or legislatures as a ‘mandate’for growth while lacking any parameters. Unintegrated utilities can burden developments with lower levels of service and may limit or even prevent development.The integration and availability of public utilities in priority growth areas are imperative.CONCERN:Why isn’t this spelled out more ?Why is there no clear explanation here of what is meant by ‘priority growth area’. Changes in the intensity of land use greatly influence the quantitative design of utilities and services,particularly their design capacity.There may be distinctions in the type of services offered for each utility as land use intensities vary.These distinctions also depend on local codes and ordinances,health and sanitary considerations,and practices followed by utility companies. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 125 Table 33:Public Utilities Challenges General •Funding and financing the development,conversion,repair,operations,and maintenance of public utilities are central challenges for communities,developers,and county government.WHAT IS MISSING HERE IS REFERENCE TO THE IDEA THAT HOMEOWNERS WILL ALL BE ASKED TO PAY FOR CONVERSION FROM CESSPOOL/SEPTIC OVER TO ACTUAL COUNTY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.THIS TOPIC DESERVES A FULL DISCUSSION. DITTO WHAT IS CONCERNING IS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ‘DEVELOPMENT’OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.. •Any large infrastructure expansions are paid for by developers and the costs are not to scale for financing. •Geographical variability and obstacles require creative solutions for utility buildout. •Aging public utility infrastructure must become more resilient to natural hazards,extreme weather events,and climate change impacts.WHERE ARE THE CITED STUDIES PROVING THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING WEATHER EVENTS /CLIMATE WEATHER ?IN THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT WE SEE NONE REFERENCED. •Absent,aging,or dilapidated infrastructure limits new development where it is needed,consistent with strategic land use patterns and inhibits existing development.THIS SENTENCE IS POORLY WRITTEN WITH THE RESULT OF CONFUSING THE READER.WHY ARE WE LEFT WONDERING WHAT IS BEING SAID HERE? •Outdated utility systems and practices can pose environmental and health concerns and are expensive to change. •Disputes over water source capacity can prevent development where it is needed and consistent with desired development patterns. •Water commitments have been assigned to parcels that are not being developed or lack development potential.THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR ELSE EXPLAINED SO THAT THE MEANING IS CLEAR. •Guidelines for assigning water units per system need to be updated. •Modeling of water demand and potential demand needs to be closely aligned to land use.•The water systems serving,North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,and Puna will require additional water source development. •On-site wastewater disposal can adversely impact groundwater resources.THIS APPEARS TO BE A REFERENCE TO SEPTIC /CESS POOL SYSTEMS.ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. •Wastewater planning and policy primarily focus on maintaining and servicing existing systems and do not proactively plan for developing new systems to accommodate growth or to extend existing lines to align with urban zoning. •County policy has largely relied on private developers to develop commercial and private wastewater systems for new development,which ultimately leaves significant municipal service gaps in urban areas. •Many County wastewater systems may not be able to accommodate unserved,existing zoned capacity and projected growth. •Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing private systems or upgrades due to the insufficiency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. •Wastewater requirements hinder the redevelopment or rehabilitation of existing structures and are often seen as an affordable housing issue. •Treated wastewater is typically discharged into ocean waters or injected into the ground and is not generally reused. •Wastewater infrastructure improvement and development costs are not fiscally planned for,either in the County budget or through County wastewater fee valuation. •Individual wastewater systems (IWS)are associated with limitations and regulations.Currently,the Department of Health’s rules do not allow single-family dwellings and additional dwelling units (ADU)on a single IWS system. •Reliance on IWS is an impediment to compact development due to minimum lot size requirements for IWS,thereby contributing to sprawl. •Coastal residential neighborhoods without centralized wastewater are contaminating near-shore waters with pollution from IWS.ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. THIS SEEMS TO IMPLY A POLICY DIRECTIVE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO APPLY TO COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS ?IMPOSING FINES OR HIGH COSTS TO HOME OWNERS TO ADDRESS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MAINS SEWER OR EVEN SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN ROCKY TERRAIN WILL LEAD TO DELINQUENCY AND THEN FINES AND POTENTIAL SEIZURE OF PROPERTY.THIS IS A VERY ‘DANGEROUS’POLICY DIRECTIVE TO LEAVE AMBIGUOUS.THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE MUST BE EXPLORED AND CLEARLY STATED. THIS DOCUMENT IS CITING THE HUGE OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR ISLAND WHERE SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON CESSPOOLS.WHILE THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE BIO-REMEDIATION METHODS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL ‘WASTEWATER TREATMENT’NO STUDIES ARE INCLUDED,NO MENTION OF THESE KINDS OF OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED.BIO REMEDIATION WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BELONG IN A DOCUMENT LIKE THIS SINCE SUCH METHODS SHOULD BE EXPLORED AS A COST SAVING MEASURE AND DATA IS AVAILABLE TO DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVENESS.FURTHER THE IMPACT TO COASTAL ECO SYSTEMS OF INADEQUATELY TREATED WASTEWATER AND RAW SEWAGE ARE WORTHY OF MENTION HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT. TO CITE A WELL KNOWN EXAMPLE:THE ‘GENKI BALL’EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN SEVERAL POLUTED WATERWAYS IN HAWAII.MOST NOTABLY THE ‘GENKI BALLS’USED AT ALA WAI CANAL IN HONOLULU RESULTED IN BETTER WATER QUALITY AND FISH RETURNING TO THE AREA.WHERE A COMBINATION OF CULTURED ‘BOKASHI’AND CLAY WERE INTRODUCED TO THE WATERWAYS THUS BILLIONS OF MICROBES WERE RELEASED CAPABLE OF REDUCING ECOLI AND OTHER LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN THE WATER.THIS AND OTHER KINDS OF BIOREMEDIATION BELONGS IN A PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR HAWAII ISLAND. PAGE 126 •The looming deadline to convert cesspools to sewer or other IWS may create lack of local expertise to meet demand if not properly planned. •The future impacts of climate change on future rainfall volumes are uncertain.WHERE IS THE FACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS ‘MAN MADE CLIMATE CHANGE’? •Outdated codes limit the effectiveness of stormwater infrastructure and stormwater-related practices. •Water quality changes caused by non-point source pollution,human activities,erosion,and sediment transport can negatively impact environmental systems and processes. •A lack of incentives and flexibility exists in the permitting process for stormwater and green infrastructure. •There is a lack of a dedicated funding source for public systems. •There is a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. •The State of Hawaiʻi has the highest electricity rates in the United States. •Building codes,design perspectives,and construction practices can increase electrical demand. •There is a constant need to update and renovate electrical systems and infrastructure. •The adoption of renewable energy practices may offload environmental costs to other distant communities,which can offset positive climate action.POORLY WRITTEN ,AMBIGUOUS GENERALIZING STATEMENTS LIKE THIS DO NOT BELONG IN A COUNTY GENERAL PLAN .WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY THE TERM RENEWABLE ENERGY ‘PRACTICES?’WHAT ENVIRONMENT COSTS ARE REFERRED TO HERE?HOW ARE COSTS ‘OFFLOADED TO DISTANT COMMUNITIES’ HOW ARE THESE OFFSETTING ‘POSITIVE CLIMATE ACTION?’ •Renewable energy developments can be controversial,such as geothermal and wind turbines.THIS STATEMENT IS OBJECTIONABLE.THE REASON THESE ‘ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS’ARE ‘CONTROVERSIAL’IS THAT THEY HAVE INJURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HARM.WE NOTE THAT NUCLEAR POWER WAS IN THE ORIGINAL FIRST DRAFT OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL.IF MAKING A CASE FOR GEOTHERMAL OR WIND TURBINES (OR NUCLEAR ENERGY)OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ACKNOWLEDGING THE RISKS SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO THE PUBLIC. •Inadequate access disrupts efficiency and productivity and is a barrier to accessing public services and information.INADEQUATE ACCESS TO WHAT ?THIS IS A POOR SENTENCE AND IS AMBIGUOUS IN MEANING. •Last mile infrastructure is often the most costly and difficult segment to deploy,especially for rural areas where distances from a central distribution point are greater and population density doesn’t economically promote the deployment. •Consistent and accurate service data is needed to provide a constantly improving network for the island.THE STATEMENT ‘PROVIDING A CONSTANTLY ‘IMPROVING NETWORK’CAN BE INTERPRETED TO REFERENCE THE INCREASINGLY INTENSE LEVELS OF SIGNAL BEING ESTABLISHED.5 G WHILE BRINGING HIGHER SPEED LEVELS OF DATA TRANSFER IS PROVING TO POSE A HEALTH RISK TO HUMAN TISSUE.THE REGULATION OF 5G TOWERS WITH CONSIDERATIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AN URGENT ISSUE.WE NOTE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ZENDO KERN HAS RECENTLY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES THAT WILL NOT STRINGENTLY ENFORCE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY. •Providers seeking to deploy broadband infrastructure face multiple layers of permitting and approvals at both the State and County level,in addition to community opposition regarding the installation of telecommunications towers.SEE ABOVE COMMENT.THIS REFLECTS AN INTENTIONAL DISREGARD FOR SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ARE WIDELY DOCUMENTED AND CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION. •Limited competition in broadband service providers and transpacific backhaul providers means high consumer rates due to a lack of competition within the market.(???THIS IS JARGON THAT ISN’T EXPLAINED ) General •Pursue creative funding and financing tools such as Community Facilities Districts (CFD)and Improvement Districts,for utility development,conversion,repair,operations,and maintenance. THIS NEEDS BETTER EXPLANATION.‘CREATIVE FUNDING’IS AN OBJECTIONABLE TERM AND SOUNDS LIKE A PROCESS FOR SELLING OFF UTILITIES OR FINANCING CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE SO EITHER WAY,THE PUBLIC WILL PAY MORE FOR UTILITIES. •Ensure that utility development matches desirable development priorities. •Streamline the process of utility infrastructure development to achieve the highest possible level of service for our communities. •Lead the charge in resource conservation and assess creative solutions to incentivize resource conservation for the public. •Prioritize the conversion and modernization of outdated utility systems and practices. •Use an integrated approach to value all water as a resource (e.g.,drinking water, wastewater,stormwater). •Collaborate with asset management (e.g.,road resurfacing and utility upgrades).ASSET MANAGEMENT IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. •Explore public-private partnership opportunities to create circular systems.ANOTHER VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED.PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS USUALLY IS ANOTHER WORD FOR INCREASING PUBLIC DEBT WHILE GIVING AWAY PUBLIC ASSETS TO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.THIS IS MORE FROM THE PAGES OF SOCIALISM AND WE REJECT IT. •Increase partnerships and enhance collaboration with government,private and nonprofit agencies,and other stakeholders.HERE ‘OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED.PLEASE DEFINE IT CLEARLY OR TAKE IT OUT ALTOGETHER. •Explore innovative ways to fund water infrastructure improvements to attract development that is consistent with desired density and the land use pattern.AGAIN A REFERENCE TO ‘DESIRED DENSITY AND LAND USE PATTERNS’THIS HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAMINED IN THE PLANNING DOCUMENT AND IS BEING REFERENCE HERE AS A STANDARD •Seek creative funding for significant expansion of water systems to reach new customers in non-service areas. •Promote and practice water conservation practices to maximize efficient water use. •Adopt One Water recommendations to standardize interagency collaboration in planning for and managing water resources. •Rainfall collection can provide additional water capacity even where we have Department of Water Supply (DWS)systems.NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. •Align the Water Use Development Plan,Master Plan,General Plan,DWS Capital Improvements Program (CIP),DWS guidelines,DWS water commitments,and private improvements to the DWS system.NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. •Exercise some controls over the permitted uses within the defined zone of influence for downstream deep well sources.IN THIS GENERAL PLANNING DOCUMENT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MENTION OF THE IMPACT OF MILITARY ON THE SOIL,WATER AND AIR QUALITY.HERE A REFERENCE TO POLLUTERS UPSTREAM OF WATER SOURCES AND YET MILITARY IS NOT MENTIONED?POHAKULOA MILITARY BASE CONTINUES TO LEASE FOR $1 AND CONDUCTS LIVE FIRE TRAINING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ISLAND’S VAST AQUIFER.IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN FACT THAT DEPLETED URANIUM HAS BEEN SCATTERED ONTO THE BASE AND CONTINUES TO BE DISTURBED BY MILITARY ACTIVITIES UP THERE. •Encourage groundwater recharge from regional scale master planning to on-site best management practices such as low-impact development (LID). •Increase opportunities for recycled water.THIS SHOULD BE ELABORATED SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A DIRECTIVE.THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO BE CONSULTED ON SUCH MATTERS. •Prioritize sewer for sensitive urban areas. •Proactively seek grant funding to assist with wastewater development.AGAIN STATING THAT REFERENCING OVER AND OVER THE NEED FOR ‘WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT’WHILE DEDICATING NO TIME AND EFFORT TO EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BIO REMEDIATION IS A MAJOR OMMISSION •Advocate for expanding cesspool conversion tax credit to all cesspool conversions.THESE ARE MAJOR COSTS BEING PASSED ON TO HOME OWNERS. •Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as those for technology upgrades and innovation.THE TERM ‘PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP’IS A TERM ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED DEBT FOR THE PUBLIC AND A REDUCTION (USUALLY)IN HARD ASSETS THAT ARE HANDED OVER TO CORPORATE PRIVATE INTERESTS. •Promote the expanded use of greywater for landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge via rules for new construction and retrofits •Advocate to the Department of Health (DOH)to adopt appropriately scaled requirements and standards and develop flexible guidelines for designing and permitting wastewater systems that meet environmental objectives. •Low-pressure systems should be prioritized for retrofitting instead of gravity flow.•Higher-density development can contribute more to a centralized system.HERE AGAIN WE SEE AN ASSERTION THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HIGHER DENSITY AND THIS LACKS PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND YET Drinking Water Wastewater 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 128 Stormwater Electricity &Energy Telecommunications &Broadband •Increase availability and access to information about private wastewater treatment plant capacities or expansion opportunities. •Prioritize resiliency measures that support climate change impact scenarios. •Regularly amend County codes to be as current and innovative as possible. •Be a leader in prioritizing green infrastructure over gray infrastructure. •Ensure that stormwater infrastructure decisions align with related plans and the CIP budget. •Green infrastructure practices may provide opportunities for creating or expanding industry. •Prioritize the use of native plants in landscaping. •Promote and support the development of alternative energy production facilities. •Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management.THIS STATEMENT WARRANTS ELABORATION OR IT DOESN’T BELONG IN THIS DOCUMENT. •Hawaiʻi Island has the highest renewable energy percentage in the State and can continue to support renewable energy projects to decarbonize our energy system and stabilize electricity costs. WHAT DOES ‘DECARBONIZE OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ACTUALLY MEAN ?ELECTRIC CARS ON THE ISLAND ARE CHARGED AT STATIONS THAT RELY ON POWER FROM DIESEL FUEL GENERATORS.IN OTHER WORDS ELECTRIC CARS REMAIN DEPENDENT ON THOSE FOSSIL FUELS BUT WE SEE OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROMOTING ELECTRIC CARS AS PART OF AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STRATEGY.THE NOTION OF ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ IS FEEDING A MYTH ABOUT HOW RAPIDLY ‘WE’CAN TRANSFORM OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.THE IDEA OF ‘DECARBONIZING’THE ENERGY SYSTEM IS VERY VERY RADICAL AND IS COMING FROM A SOCIALIST MYTH THAT CARBON (THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE)IS ‘BAD’AND THAT SOMEHOW ‘CARBON’IS THE CAUSE OF WEATHER EVENTS AND ‘CLIMATE CHANGE.’THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS A RADICAL AGENDA TO ‘DECARBONIZE’OUR ENTIRE ENERGY SYSTEM. FURTHER,SINCE THIS WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE DISRUPTION TO THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SINCE IT IS IMPLIED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE DISCOURAGED FROM MOVING ABOUT ‘FREELY’THIS IS A RADICAL OVERHAUL OF OUR ECONOMY WHICH IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE MANY PAINFUL SHOCKS TO INDIVIDUALS,OHANA AND COMMUNITIES.THIS IS ABOUT THE CLEAREST EXAMPLE OF ‘RECKLESS’ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. WHAT IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING ABOUT SEEING THE COUNTY DOCUMENT LINE UP SO CLOSELY WITH DECLARED GOALS OF AN ELITE INSTITUTION REPRESENTING THE WEALTHIEST 1%OF OUR PLANET (‘THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’)IS THAT THIS ORGANIZATION APPOINTED ITSELF AS THE CUSTODIANS AND ARBITERS OF A PLAN TO BRING IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHICH IS THE MOST RADICAL OF ALL THE TRANSITIONS AT ANY TIME IN HISTORY AND BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A SERIES OF CRISES:PANDEMIC DISEASE, ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’THAT APPEAR AS A CRISIS AND ALSO FOOD SHORTAGES IN PART CAUSED BY INTERFERENCE WITH SUPPLY CHAIN THAT BEGAN WITH LOCKDOWNS IN 2020.THE CATCH PHRASE BY WEF LEADER KLAUS SCHWAB AT THE TIME OF INTRODUCING ‘THE GREAT RESET’ WAS ‘BY 2030 YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY.’ WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO TERMS SUCH AS ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ BECAUSE THIS IMPLIES THAT YOU HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE PUBLIC A)TO ASSERT THAT CARBON IS A PROBLEM AS IF THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS TOPIC WHEN THERE IS NOT AND B)TO TAKE EXTREMELY RADICAL AND DANGEROUS STEPS TO TRANSITION THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Support the County’s Broadband Initiative and coordination with the State to facilitate digital equity efforts (e.g.,establishing broadband as a public utility,infrastructure deployment,providing training support,and coordinating funding strategies for broadband and telecommunication services).AFTER 5G THERE IS 6G COMING .WITH EACH OF THE INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN THE INTENSITY OF THE FREQUENCY ILLNESSES AND TISSUE DAMAGE RESULTS CONSISTENT WITH ‘RADIATION POISONING’.THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT TO REVIEW SAFETY INFORMATION AND TO TAKE AN APPROACH THAT HAS A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE.THIS IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. •Compact development and higher population densities where appropriate are favorable for commercial service providers as they contribute to more economically viable market conditions.WHICH ‘COMMERCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS’IS THIS REFERENCING ?THIS STATEMENT NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED BETTER OR ELSE REMOVED FROM THIS SECTION. •Providing consistent and accurate digital literacy data will promote a desirable level of service for all residents.WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY DATA AND HOW WILL THIS PROMOTE A DESIREABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE ?IS ‘DIGITAL LITERACY DATA’A CLASS OF INFORMATION THAT COMES WITH VIGILANT PROTECTION OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL;THEIR PRIVACY AND THEIR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ?WITHOUT PROTECTION OF THIS KIND,IF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS WAIVING ON THE INVASIVE DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES OF THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY,THEN IT MAY BE ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND.WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE PRIMACY OF SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE WRITTEN INTO THIS GENERAL PLAN.THERE IS A LOT OF DATA TO SUPPORT THAT WHEN THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPROMISED,THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENDANGERED AND TYRANNY WILL LIKELY RESULT. THESE ARE THE REASONS THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT IS FLAWED:WE DON’T SEE CARE TAKEN BY OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS’HEALTH AND SAFETY.. •Increasing digital inclusion efforts,which focus on ensuring both access to and ability to use a range of technologies,will contribute to better outcomes for health,public safety,economic opportunity,and civic participation.THE TERM ‘digital inclusion’IS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT MORE ACCESS TO 5G AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH IS A POSITIVE THING.THIS PREMISE IS WIDELY PROMOTED IN THIS POLICY DOCUMENT AND YET NO SAFETY STUDIES ARE CITED. •Streamlining permitting and approval processes will improve the efficiency of broadband and telecommunication development and delivery.THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF A LOOSE SET OF GUIDELINES FOR TOWER PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. •Pursue partnerships to develop public spaces with broadband access.THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF AN OBJECTIVE THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 129 4.3.2 Public Utilities Goal,Objective,Policies, and Actions Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure,utilities,and services based on existing and future growth needs,sound design principles,and effective maintenance practices. Objective 25 Improve the efficiency,reliability,and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. Policies ●25.1 Public utility facilities shall be designed at a scale that meets the needs of future development.IN THIS DOCUMENT SO FAR,THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT AN ACTUAL FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY,ON THE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT,HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CONSIDERED.WHY IS THERE AN EMPHASIS ON ‘FUTURE DEVELOPMENT’WITHOUT THE MAIN FOCUS BEING ECONOMIC GROWTH? ●25.2 Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and effectively serve the needs of the community. ●25.3 Utility facilities shall be designed to complement adjacent land uses and minimize pollution or disturbance of the natural environment and natural resources. ●25.4 Improvement of existing utility services shall be encouraged to meet the needs of users.THIS IS MEANINGLESS.WHY IS THIS SENTENCE NECESSARY ? ●25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS IDEOLOGY.IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT IT NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR WHAT IT IT:‘SMART CITY’ PROPAGANDA.STACK EM AND PACK EM HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE A PART OF THE PLAN AND THIS IS A RADICAL COMMUNIST AGENDA THAT WE REJECT. IT IS THROUGHOUT THIS DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING.THE SMART CITIES THAT ARE BEING DESIGNED GLOBALLY ARE ANOTHER REFLECTION OF WEF STATED GOALS TO CREATE URBAN CENTERS WHERE SURVEILLANCE AND CARBON MONITORING FORM THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CONFINING PEOPLE AND PREVENTING THEM FROM MOVING ABOUT FREELY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TRAITOROUS PROPOSAL TO FIND IN A DOCUMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERING TO OUR ISLAND A PLAN FOR OUR WELL BEING AS A COMMUNITY,FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH,AND FOR THE CARE OF OUR ‘AINA. ●25.6 Develop short-and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. ●25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. Actions 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 130 4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation The Hawaiʻi State Constitution provides that all public natural resources,including water,are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people.The State Constitution further maintains that “the State has an obligation to protect,control,and regulate the use of Hawaiʻi’s water resources for the benefit of its people.”Water availability is crucial to any type of development, whether urban,rural,or agricultural.Water availability is based on the sustainable yields of the groundwater hydrologic units established through the State Water Code.1 Land use allocation must be closely related to water availability,including the quantity and quality of the water,and the adequacy of the transmission and distribution system.The General Plan requires an understanding of water availability and capacity,current demands,and future demands based on planned and anticipated future growth and land uses.‘ The County’s Department of Water Supply (DWS)is the primary agency that manages,controls, and operates the water supplies of the County and its properties.There are 23 individual water systems distributed throughout the island.Water demand is directly related to population and industry usage and is expressed as gallons per day (gpd)or million gallons per day (mgd). Demand does not represent domestic consumption alone,but also includes all agricultural, industrial,and commercial uses,fire protection,and other uses.In some areas,however, non-domestic users are likely to create the major demand,and careful attention must therefore be given in any study of probable future water needs. In Hawaiʻi,there are a multitude of public agencies that are either actively tasked with regulating water resources or whose policies affect water use.There are also a number of private entities that use and manage water resources.Over the decades,water management has become segregated in a way that has created disjointed,mechanical approaches to a naturally continuous resource.The disconnection has included narrow perspectives that fail to see the larger picture.Hawaiʻi County aspires to achieve water resource management that is free from the limitations and issues of siloed practices,processes,agencies,and government bodies.Achieving a One Water approach in Hawaiʻi County includes actionable steps that can be adapted and adjusted to localize the One Water strategies. QUESTION :WHY IS A PRIVATE COMPANY BEING SOLD THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER IN HILO ?WHY ISN’T A PLANNING DOCUMENT CONCERNED WITH FUTURE WATER ACCESS CLEAR THAT NO WATER IS TO BE ‘SOLD’OR COMMERCIALIZED SINCE IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII? One Water One Water is a strategy that integrates the management of stormwater,wastewater,groundwater,sea water,freshwater,graywater,and recycled water to create resource and financial efficiencies.One Water will help the County of Hawaiʻi address climate change impacts by creating cross-agency coordination and advancing the capacity within agencies. ANY PREMISE USED TO CONTROL WATER ACCESS,WATER RIGHTS WHETHER BY A CORPORATION OR A GOVERNMENT MUST BE REJECTED.WATER IS AN INCREASINGLY PRIVATISED COMMODITY ACROSS THE WORLD.THIS SHOULD CONCERN US.IT ALREADY SEEMS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT ON THE ONE HAND APPLICANTS HAVE REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED VIA A COUNTY PERMITTING PROCESS TO PURCHASE THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER FROM OUR MAUNA KEA AQUIFER AND ON THE OTHER HAND THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE PROMOTING CONTROL OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN A CENTRALIZED FASHION INVOLVING MULTIPLE ‘UNDISCLOSED AGENCIES’ FURTHER,AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNTY OF HAWAII WILL ADDRESS ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS’WHEN THE VERY PREMISE OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY MULTIPLE LEADING AUTHORITIES AND IS THE SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY DUE TO THE LACK OF HARD EVIDENCE THAT ‘CARBON’IS THE CAUSE OF ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’AND ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’THAT APPEAR TO REPRESENT AN EMERGENCY. Objective 26 Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water. Policies ●26.1 All public water systems shall be designed and built to the DWS dedication standards.All other systems shall meet all relevant health and safety regulations and be designed and constructed by a licensed engineer. ●26.2 Water sources shall be protected to prevent depletion and contamination from natural and man-made occurrences or events. ●26.3 An effort by County,State,and private interests shall be coordinated to identify sources of additional water supply to be implemented and ensure the development of sufficient quantities of water for existing and future needs of high-growth areas and agricultural production. ●26.4 Installation or rehabilitation of water distributions shall be sized to adequately meet fire protection. ●26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. ●26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+units)in the North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,South Kona,and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation,recharge,and reuse measures to reduce the water footprint. ●26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. ●26.8 Water system improvements,including exploratory wells,shall correlate with the County's desired land use development pattern. ●26.9 The DWS shall prioritize infill development and focus source development to serve designated Urban Growth Areas. ●26.10 Waterdemandprojectionsshallincludeallconsumptiveandnon-consumptivedemands. ●26.11 TheDWSandthePlanningDepartmentshallcoordinateprioritiesbeforetheadoptionofanynew water development or County land use plans. ●26.12 AllCountypotablewatersystemsshouldhavebackupstandbysources. One Water ●26.13 Treat all water as a valuable resource in community design,and integrate designs for drinking water,stormwater,and recreational water needs.CONCERN:AN EXAMPLE OF YET MORE POORLY EXPRESSED LANGUAGE THAT SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE. WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘RECREATIONAL WATER NEEDS?’ ●26.14 Managewater,stormwater,andwastewaterasthesamenaturalresourceincollaborationwithth e DWS,DEM,DPW,and DOH. ●26.15 New developments should be designed to reduce water demand,retain runoff, decrease flooding,and recharge groundwater. ●26.16 Supportlocalized,small-scalesolutionstowaterreuseandon-sitesystems. Actions 26.a In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conduct further research on localized rainfall modeling to accurately assess future precipitation trends. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 132 ●26.b Expand water conservation programs,primarily aimed at reducing demand,such as leak detection,and rebates for low flow. ●26.c Evaluate and amend the fee schedule for water use to take into account high water use and aquifer recharge projections.Use the funds generated to pay for conservation measures and infrastructure. ●26.d Improve County water conservation practices to lead by example. ●26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield,present and future demand, alternative sources of water,guidelines,and policies for the issuing of water commitments. ●26.f Collaborate with the DOH to develop standards and/or guidelines for the construction and use of rainwater catchment systems to minimize the intrusion of any chemical and microbiological contaminants. ●26.g Promote the use of groundwater sources to meet DOH water quality standards. ●26.h Seek state and federal funds to assist in financing projects to bring the County into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. ●26.i Explore the feasibility of incentive methods such as property tax deductions, conservation easements,or transfer of development rights to protect the defined zone of influence of existing or proposed public and private wells.AGAIN THIS SEEMS TO REFER VAGUELY TO THE PRIVATISATION OF WATER AND CONVERSELY TO PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY CONSIDERED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.UNDER A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM ONE COULD EASILY EXPECT THAT A GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CRAFTING POLICY IN SUCH A WAY THAT TRANSFER OF PROPERTY FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FACILITATED. ●26.j Investigate alternative financing options for expanding water systems to support infill growth consistent with the County’s desired land use development pattern.AGAIN THIS IS A VAGUE REFERENCE WHEN THAT SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AMBIGUOUS AND THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES THE VALUE OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT. ●26.k Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders to develop,improve,and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. ●26.l Continue to participate in the United States Geological Survey (USGS)exploratory well drilling program. ●26.m Expand programs to provide agricultural irrigation water. One Water ●26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial,industrial,and residential properties. ●26.o Codify the administrative structure needed to develop a water resource program and interdepartmental collaboration framework. ●26.p Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders to develop and facilitate community partnerships between upstream and downstream communities. ●26.q Develop public-private partnerships to leverage funding sources. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 133 Table 35:Water System Standards Domestic Consumption Guidelines Zoning Designation Residential:Single-Family or Duplex Multi-Family Commercial Resort Light Industry Schools and Parks Agriculture •• Average Daily Demand 400 gals/unit 400 gals/unit 3000 gals/acre 400 gals/unit or 17,000 gal/acre 4000 gals/acre 4000 gals/acre or 60 gals/student 3400 gals/acre A unit,or,more precisely,one Equivalent Unit (EU)of water allows for an average daily usage of up to 400 gallons per day and a maximum daily usage of up to 600 gallons on any day but the average is still not allowed to exceed 400 gallons per day. One EU is typically served through a 5/8-inch meter and is considered adequate for a single-family home or dwelling and allows for some landscape or gardening usage. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 134 4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse The General Plan recognizes the significance of wastewater treatment and reuse as essential components of the County’s comprehensive water management strategy.Adequate sewer systems are vital to maintain public health and protect the environment.As communities generate wastewater through various sources such as residential,commercial,and industrial activities,effective treatment is necessary to remove harmful pollutants and contaminants before the water is discharged back into the environment.Improperly treated wastewater can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems,coastal waters,and freshwater resources, jeopardizing both human and ecological health. An adequate system minimizes contamination of both the groundwater supply and coastal waters,beaches,and waterborne recreational areas and is not a visual and odor nuisance. Land development plans for resort-residential complexes located in shoreline areas pose a potential water quality problem for adjacent near-shore waters.Adequate treatment facilities are essential prerequisites for development. HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT WITH NO REFERENCE TO BIO REMEDIATION AND WITH THE SHEER VOLUME OF HOUSEHOLDS OPERATING OFF GRID,THIS DOCUMENT IS CREATING ‘CRIME’OUT OF REGULAR HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS.THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A POLICY DIRECTIVE TO MANDATE/FORCE HOUSEHOLDS TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR RURAL ISLAND IS A VERY RECKLESS DIRECTION TO TAKE. REFER PREVIOUS COMMENTS 1)AN AUDIT SHOULD BE DONE OF THE CURRENT WASTEWATER DIVISION 2)ALTERNATIVE BIOREMEDIATION METHODS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FINDINGS PUBLISHED.MORE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IS NEEDED BEFORE THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE WOULD BE ADOPTED SINCE IT WILL LIKELY BRING GREAT FINANCIAL STRAIN TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS AND REQUIRE ONEROUS LEVELS OF ‘ENFORCEMENT.’ Wastewater reuse,also known as water recycling or reclaimed water,involves treating wastewater to a level suitable for non-potable uses.Reusing treated wastewater provides an opportunity to conserve precious freshwater resources and reduce the strain on existing water supplies.For Hawaiʻi Island,where freshwater resources are limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts,the implementation of wastewater reuse projects becomes vital for ensuring water sustainability.By implementing appropriate treatment processes,treated wastewater can be used for a range of purposes,including irrigation of agricultural lands,landscape irrigation, industrial processes,and groundwater recharge.This practice helps meet non-drinking water needs,reducing the reliance on freshwater sources for non-potable purposes and leaving more available for essential uses like drinking water.THERE IS NO MENTION HERE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MUST ACCOMPANY SUCH USES OF TREATED WASTEWATER. The County operates municipal sewerage in Hilo,Pāpaʻikou,Kapehu,Pepeʻekeo,Honokaʻa, Kealakehe,and Kaloko.The remaining communities are served by private wastewater treatment facilities or individual facilities,such as cesspools or septic tanks.In 2017,the Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed Act 125,mandating that all Hawaiʻi’s cesspools be replaced by 2050. Cesspools are substandard sewage disposal systems as they do not treat wastewater. According to the latest report on the Hawaiʻi Cesspool Hazard Assessment and Prioritization Tool,Hawaiʻi Island contains an estimated 48,596 cesspools.Sewerage disposal system designs must be examined with the particular region in mind.Of critical importance in an examination of sewerage disposal for a community is the cost of the system,including construction and operation costs.These costs vary with the characteristics of each area. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 legislated the protection of all aquifers or portions of aquifers currently serving as drinking water sources and any other aquifer capable of yielding consumable water.This mandate was based on a national concern for the quality of the groundwater and the increasing evidence of contamination of this valuable resource. In 1976,the State Legislature enacted Act 84,relating to safe drinking water,which requires the State Department of Health (DOH)to establish an underground injection control program to protect the quality of the State’s underground sources of drinking water.Because of the importance ofgroundwater as a source of municipal water supplies,the underground injection control program is considered a beneficial approach in the identification of aquifers that should be protected from subsurface disposal of wastewater through injection wells. HERE AGAIN THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE PRIMARY POLLUTER OF THE AQUIFER : THE MILITARY BASE ON POHAKULOA.THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF TESTING WATER QUALITY AND TESTING FOR CONTAMINANTS.THIS IS ANOTHER DIVISION OF OUR COUNTY THAT SHOULD BE AUDITED.WHY IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT A MILITARY POTENTIAL ‘SUPER FUND SITE’OPERATING ABOVE A PRISTINE AQUIFER? The protection of these aquifers is established by designating areas currently being used or will be used in the future for drinking water supply.The Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW)will be protected from pollution by prohibiting the construction of new injection wells that may pollute the USDW.Injection wells are allowed in exempted areas.The boundary lines between the USDW and the exempted areas have been developed.**PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION OR ELSE TAKE OUT THIS EXEMPTION REFERENCE.THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE BETTER INFORMED UPON READING THIS PLAN,NOT LEFT IN THE DARK TO WONDER .Under Chapter 62,Wastewater Systems,the DOH adopted a 1,000-foot setback of wastewater systems from all public drinking water wells and springs. In compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92-500),the DOH and the County jointly prepared the Water Quality Management Plan for Hawaiʻi County in 1978 and subsequently updated the plan in 1980.In 1979,the County Council adopted the plan through a resolution to serve as the planning guide for the development of regional waste treatment systems and the control of non-point sources of pollution.To implement the management plan,the County has prepared facility plans for various areas on the island.Facility plans are developed by the County to satisfy a requirement for the application of loans from the State to develop wastewater treatment facilities.The facility plans identify problems,potential solutions,and costs. In 1985,the State Legislature enacted Act 282,Relating to Environmental Quality,which reassigns the County,effective July 1,1987,or upon receipt of State funds,to assume complete administration and implementation for the regulation of sewerage and wastewater treatment system programs. Source:Hawaiʻi News Now (2022). 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 136 Objective 27 Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality. Policies ●27.1 A Sewerage Study for All Urban Areas,including appropriate water quality management strategies,shall be completed and used as guides for the general planning of sewerage disposal systems. ●27.2 Private treatment systems shall be installed by land developers for major resorts and other developments along shorelines and sensitive higher inland areas,except where connection to nearby treatment facilities is feasible and compatible with the County’s long-range plans,and in conformance with State and County requirements. ●27.3 Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant sites,sewerage pump station sites,and sewer easements according to the facility plans to facilitate their acquisition. ●27.4 The County shall obtain State and Federal funds to finance the construction of proposed sewer systems and improve existing systems. ●27.5 Plans for wastewater reclamation and reuse for irrigation and biosolids composting (remaining solids from the treatment of wastewater are processed into a reusable organic material)shall be utilized where topographically feasible and needed for landscaping,agricultural purposes,or fire protection. Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ●27.6 Pollution shall be prevented,abated,and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal, State,and County standards. ●27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas (UGA)with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. ●27.8 The Department of Environmental Management and the Planning Department shall coordinate priorities before the adoption of any new wastewater development or land use plans. ●27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion, improvements,and new development. ●27.10 Ensurewastewaterfeesreflectactualcostsforservice,maintenance,andfutureimprovements. ●27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies,prevent accidental leaks or spills,and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting natural resources. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ●27.12 Striveforanintegratedapproachtostormwaterandwastewater,andwaterresourcemanageme nt that is comprehensive and as efficient as possible. ●27.13 Encourageon-sitewaterreusesolutionsforlargedevelopments. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 137 27.14 Encourageandincentivizethecollectionofrainfallfornon-potableuse. 27.15 PrioritizetheuseofgraywaterinareasconnectedtoCountywaterandnotconnectedtoCounty wastewater. Actions Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ●27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. ●27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district (CFD)or tax increment financing (TIF)to aid in implementation. ●27.c Review,assess,and amend Codes relating to sewer connection requirements to ensure wastewater issues and requirements are addressed in a consistent,sustainable, and socially equitable way. ●27.d Develop a wastewater master plan with a clear prioritization method for wastewater system expansions and improvements based on criteria involving land use,projected growth,social equity,and environmental factors. ●27.e Develop plans to improve,connect,or develop new wastewater systems in unsewered urban coastal communities. ●27.f Perform a study to assess individual wastewater systems (IWS)in unsewered urban growth areas to assess the rate of failures/negative impacts,determine rates of large capacity cesspools still in use,and develop plans to improve,connect,or develop new wastewater systems for unsewered urban communities. ●27.g Proactively seek opportunities for public-private partnerships for wastewater collection and treatment development. ●27.h Facilitate the use of infrastructure improvement districts and other types of localized funding mechanisms to fund improvements. ●27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. ●27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water model fee structure). ●27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems.Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries,urban zoning and density,population trends and anticipated growth, health/safety,and environmental factors. ●27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. ●27.m Amend the County Code,Section 21-26-1(a)requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council”to read,“all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” REFERRING AGAIN TO CONCERNS THAT THIS IS AN UNFEASIBLE COST TO REGULAR HOUSEHOLDS.THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING POLICY DIRECTIVE AND AS ACKNOWLEDGED HERE,MORE STUDIES WOULD BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING SUCH POLICIES..SO WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS EMPHASIS IN THE GENERAL PLAN ? 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 138 ●27.n In collaboration with the DOH Wastewater Branch,reevaluate and clarify the requirements set forth in Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR),Section 11-62-31.1(a)(1) (B)and amend County sewer requirements accordingly to accommodate needed housing units. ●27.o Collaborate with the DOH to advance progressive wastewater technology and regulations. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ●27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture,develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. ●27.q Install non-potable systems,such as reclaimed wastewater,brackish groundwater, and untreated surface water in proximity to priority UGAs for non-potable water uses. ●27.r Conduct supply and demand studies to determine a level of service for non-potable water needs. ●27.s Facilitate greywater reuse systems through code amendments and through partnering with DOH for regulatory changes and incentives. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 139 4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure Stormwater management and the implementation of green infrastructure are critical elements of the General Plan for their vital role in sustainability on Hawaiʻi Island.As an island ecosystem with limited freshwater resources and vulnerable coastal areas,managing stormwater effectively and integrating green infrastructure practices are essential for preserving our water resources and ensuring environmental sustainability. Stormwater refers to the runoff from precipitation that flows over land surfaces,eventually entering water bodies such as streams,rivers,and oceans.Stormwater is a crucial element of the island’s overall water landscape.While precipitation may be an obvious contributor to stormwater,all the phases of the hydrologic cycle are related to stormwater and are influenced by public utility decisions made in the built environment.Precipitation and surface runoff are often the phases of the hydrologic cycle that people recognize as stormwater,whereas evaporation,transpiration,and condensation are not as easily observed processes. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can lead to various detrimental effects on water resources and ecosystems.Polluted runoff,also known as nonpoint source pollution,from agriculture,urban development,forestry,recreational boating,marinas,and hydromodification activities is the leading cause of water pollution in waters across the country and in Hawaiʻi.Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can also lead to localized flooding,causing damage to infrastructure,property, and even loss of life.Implementing stormwater management strategies helps to control the flow of stormwater,reducing the risk of flooding and associated hazards.Moreover,excessive stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion,leading to the loss of fertile topsoil,sedimentation in water bodies,and degradation of natural habitats.Proper stormwater management practices, including erosion control measures, help minimize erosion and preserve the island’s natural resources. Stormwater is a prime example of the unavoidable connections that exist between the built environment and the natural environment.Increasing the opportunities for infiltration and transpiration can reduce the amount of evaporation that surface runoff requires.The social, environmental,and economic impacts of stormwater infrastructure have meaningful implications for our overall island sustainability as water is one of the most precious resources. Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering efficiency in conveying stormwater runoff using impervious surfaces (e.g.,paved swales,channelized streams)must be balanced against environmental considerations.If the drainage is directed to streams,excessive freshwater volumes and sediment loads may impact coastal water resources (e.g.,degrade water quality and smother coral reefs).If the drainage is directed to injection wells,more studies are needed to determine the impact of storm runoff on groundwater quality.Sediment basins,wetlands,or less impervious methods of conveyance (e.g.,grass swales)should be considered where feasible to reduce nonpoint source pollution of the coastal waters from stormwater runoff and filter infiltrating water. Green infrastructure refers to the network of natural or engineered features that manage stormwater while providing additional benefits to the environment and community.Such features may include rain gardens,permeable pavement,bioswales,and vegetated buffers.Green infrastructure is crucial for stormwater management,as it captures and absorbs runoff,reducing the volume and rate of runoff.By mimicking natural hydrological processes like sediment filtration and bioremediation,it helps to recharge groundwater,replenish streams,and 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 140 reduce stress on our water resources during periods of heavy rainfall. CONCERN:HERE AT LEAST WE SEE REFERENCES TO BIOREMEDIATION.WHY IS THIS ‘ACCEPTABLE’AS A STRATEGY WHERE TREATMENT OF WATER RUN OFF IS CONCERNED BUT NEVER ENTERTAINED IN THE MATTER OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT (A ‘SOLUTION’AND POLICY DIRECTIVE HERE WHICH THREATENS TO BE COST PROHIBITIVE TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS?) By retaining and infiltrating stormwater,green infrastructure reduces the reliance on freshwater sources for irrigation,thus conserving water resources.This is particularly important for our island communities where freshwater availability is limited.Green infrastructure features may also provide habitats for native plants and wildlife.They contribute to biodiversity conservation and help restore and enhance Hawaiʻi Island’s natural ecosystems.Green infrastructure plays a key part in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, moderating temperatures,and increasing resilience to extreme weather events.These measures align with the County’s sustainability goals and efforts to adapt to climate change. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 141 Page 166 34.15 Encourage the expansion of digital access and equity through the resilient buildout of broadband infrastructure and facilities.Does this take into account the safety of 5G+?Is this to facilitate surveillance of citizens in the future? Page167 34.a Implement a Safe Route to School (SR2S)program for all schools.Will surveillance be implemented to ensure safety? Page169 4.4.6 Recreation Housing developers should not bear a disproportionate burden,or be forced to contribute more than their fair share,as inequitable requirements could deter needed housing development.This proviso seems to favor developers. Page171 35.a Provide funding for planning and acquisition,if necessary,of key corridor segments after corridor-zone plans are adopted.Does this preclude the rezoning and acquisition of private property? 35.k Maintain an on-going program of identification,designation,and acquisition of areas with existing or potential recreational resources,such as land with sandy beaches and other prime areas for shoreline recreation in collaboration with government,private and non profit agencies, and other stakeholders.Please include private property owners in your definition of stakeholders. Page 175 4.4.7 Encouraging the establishment of farmers’markets,community gardens,and a range of agricultural activities can promote local food production and improve access to fresh nutritious food.Please include home gardens. Page 177 36.g Support the distribution of telehealth support services,particularly to unserved and underserved communities.Encourage instead person to person contact. 36.j Amend the County Code to designate a lead agency for coordinating and responding to outbreaks of life-threatening,highly communicable diseases pursuant to the DOH direction. While ensuring the statues of the Nuremberg Code are observed. Page 179 4.5.1 Blueprint for the creation of a 15 minute island,clustering us together in “a centralized, higher-density urban infill,supported by nearby,accessible public and private services and facilities.” Page 181 Under Housing Challenges Targets:“Homeownership for investment purposes that are kept vacant or used for transient accommodation rentals reduces available stock for long term resident ownership and rental opportunities.” Prohibits and discourages the rights of private ownership. Page 182 37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UBG)should be prioritized for residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside the UBG are converted into urban uses. With the consent of property owner should be included. Page183 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. 38.a Perform existing housing inventory data analysis to identify structural conditions and needs for rehabilitation or demotion. Both justify the necessity of more surveillance of the community.38.a also precludes the private property owner’s rights and opinions.Take this out or revise. Page 184 39.5 Allow for and apply property tax and land use regulations to incentivize private property owners to provide affordable housing units in mix-use and urban areas and to discentivize the land banking of unimproved properties. In other words land use regulations and property tax hikes will be weaponized against the private property owner.TAke this out or revise! Page185 Table 40:Additional Infrastructure -Provide adequate broadband without invading people’s privacy. Ensuring future surveillance capabilities? Page188 40.8 Require all County Departments to collaborate with the County Office of Sustainability, Climate,Equity,and Resilience (OSCER)as the lead agency to ensure the integration of the County’s goals of sustainability,climate resilience,and equity into all county operations and planning initiatives. To whom does OSCER answer?Who’s watching the watchdog? THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023.IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC AS AN AGENCY THAT COULD ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE GRANTED EXTRA POWERS AS AN ADMIINISTRATIVE ARM OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO THE LANGUAGE ‘REQUIRING’‘ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS’TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSCER. THE COUNTY’S ‘GOALS’OF sustainability,climate resilience,and equity HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY DEBATED IN OUR COMMUNITY .WE CHALLENGE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS MATTER AND WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE OSCER ‘AGENCY’TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE ABOVE.WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO STAGE A FULL PUBLIC REVIEW OF BOTH SETS OF DATA AND BOTH ARGUMENTS THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE CRISIS CAUSED BY CARBON THE ‘Office of Sustainability,Climate,Equity,and Resilience (OSCER)’BEGINS WITH A FLAWED AND DISPUTED PREMISE THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE ‘CRISIS’AND THAT THE OTHER 3 ‘PILLARS’OF THE ORGANIZATION (SUSTAINABILITY,EQUITY AND RESILLIENCE)BELONG TOGETHER AS PART OF A ‘SOLUTION.’ WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘SUSTAINABILITY’IS THAT THIS WORD LEADS THE IDENTICAL AGENDAS OF CONTROLLING LAND USE,WATER RIGHTS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACE,THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL,FARMING AND PASTURING OF ANIMALS AND FOOD SECURITY.THESE BUZZWORDS ARE COMING FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND THE UNITED NATIONS.ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION AND ‘NET ZERO’PROMOTE A DANGEROUS AGENDA OF OVERRIDING SOVEREIGN HOME RULE LOCAL COUNTIES AND STATES AND REPLACING WITH ‘GLOBAL AGENDAS’WHICH ARE BRINGING IN ‘COMMUNIST’VALUES AND SYSTEMS OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DESTRUCTION OF SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSETS. WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘EQUITY’IS THAT IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING A WAY OF WAVING ON A COMMUNIST STYLE OF ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS WHICH PROMOTES LARGER PORTION OF THE POPULATION BEING ON WELFARE AND DIVERSITY HIRE PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE MEDIOCRITY AND NOT MERITOCRACY. THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ALSO HAS COME TO BE ANOTHER ‘BUZZ WORD’THAT IS A RATIONALE FOR THE CATCH PHRASE ‘BUILD BACK BETTER’AND THE IDEA THAT MORE RIGOROUS BUILDING CODES,MORE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE BUILDING COSTS AND INSURANCE COSTS WILL FOLLOW IN THE AFTERMATH OF EACH ‘DISASTER.’ ELSEWHERE IN THIS DOCUMENT THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE PREMISE THAT THE RECENT FIRE IN LAHAINA WAS ‘NORMAL’AND THAT THE RESULTING LOCKDOWNS AND FAILURE OF GREEN ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS TO REBUILD ARE ALSO ‘NORMAL.’TO THE CONTRARY,WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN LAHAINA FOR THE PAST 13 MONTHS EXEMPLIFIES THE WAY THAT THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’HAS COME TO MEAN ‘CONTROL OF A POPULATION AFTER A DISASTER TO THE POINT THAT MANY WILL BE DISPLACED AND WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE THE AREA,FINDING NO WAY TO REBUILD AND RESTORE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOOODS.’ Page194 Resulting in Longer Commutes:There are notable mismatches between locations of high population and job centers. Further justification for clustering in population centers.Further policy directive to justify curtailing personal independent transportation options.This again is objectionable and shows contempt for a fundamental constitutional right and as such has no place in a policy document published by this County Administration. Page 196 Table 43:Economic Opportunities /General Increase broadband infrastructure to provide opportunities for participation in the digital economy while allowing for other economic alternatives. CBDC’s here we come! Page 206 46.i Partner with government,private and non profit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders for carrying capacity studies of fisheries and the establishment of State community-based subsistence fishing areas. More restrictions on fishing rights.Oddly in 5.3 Agriculture and Food Systems there is no mention at all of hunting and gathering. Page 210 Wahi Pana Need assurances our wahi pana and other natural assets will be protected from commodification and collateralization. Page 213 49.1 [Encourage the][i]ntegrat[ion][of]ʻāina-place-based values 49.2 [Encourage]the accessibility 49.3 [Promote]a visitor industry 49.5 [Encourage]regenerative tourism efforts 49.6 [Foster]initiatives and improve[d]efforts 49.h and farmers,homeowners,and other residents to develop and support place-based educational programs COMMENT:FINALLY HERE IS A DIRECTIVE THAT SPEAKS TO SUPPORTING THE EXISTING ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE ON THIS ISLAND.THE FACT THAT THIS IS SHOWING UP ON PAGE 214 SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ANYONE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS SUPPOSED TO GUIDE THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE.THE OPENING SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE EXISTING CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF THE ISLAND.THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT AND HELP GROW IN THIS AREA WOULD BE ALL Page 215 6.1 para 2 presenting [residents a true voice]for the future of Hawaii Island. 1 [where citizens collaborate with the County to effect change consistent with plans developed under this chapter.] 3 Ensure consistency among the General Plan and respective regional plans [What are regional plans?] 4 set forth in the General Plan’s [Should this be plural or possessive?] 5 Establish an implementation system that is based on county-wide,regional,and agency levels [What are regional and agency levels?] Page 216 Top para by promoting [economic]growth, 2nd para collaboration among various [residents] “Key areas of focus include fostering [understanding of the role of government in] ensuring community engagement and input,securing funding,and coordinating priorities. Page217 6.2.1 Para 1 Community Development Plan Framework During the General Plan Comprehensive Review process,existing community plans were used to guide the CDP framework.From the adoption of the Kona,Puna,North and South Kohala CDPs in 2008,Kaʻū CDP in 2017,and Hāmākua CDP in 2018,there has been much to learn and grow from as we look to the future.The General Plan also benefited from years of collective participation in CDP implementation efforts through regional committees that implement their respective CDP.[NOTE:Hilo was not included in this CFP framework.Although there had been Hilo meetings in the past that dealt with some issues contained in the General Plan,no mechanism was put in place that paralleled the multi-year single-purpose work that was undertaken in the other six districts.] Para 2 To build on these lessons learned,future CDPs[,which it is hoped will include a CDP for Hilo,]shall be drafted The purpose of a CDP is threefold: 3.Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue [through open-forum townhalls where vigorous question-answer format is primary,eliciting the priorities of the community.] Page 218 6.Social Capital and Community Network Mapping During the process of reviewing a Community Development Plan,instances where community needs are not met may be identified.Examples of this may include a need for community gathering spaces such as parks or recreation hubs.Community Development Plans may identify such needs and outline a plan of action for community members and other [Hawaii Island residents]to coordinate efforts,combine and collect resources,and connect public and private sector agents to advocate for such enhancements to their community.[In the case of Hilo,where a CDP was never initiated by the Planning Department,an examination of why this was neglected must be addressed,for the purpose of getting input from this district even though the General Plan may have been already implemented.This could be accomplished through addendums to the General Plan at future dates.] Page 224 6.4.3 Para 1 The General Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide [innovative] development patterns,[and provide assistance toward]future opportunities and public investments. Para 3 The tables are intended to provide a clear and concise reference for agencies, policymakers,communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents Page 225 Table 45 Climate change,carbon footprint,net zero,GHG emissions,green infrastructure projects, climate adaptation The above terms,taken from Table 45,derive from the United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development,inaugurated in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Residents of Hawaii Island have never had the opportunity to engage in discussions in every town,using every venue,to discuss the entire subject of climate change.It is a foundational subject,as it is the substrate upon which so much of the General Plan is predicated.It is un-Democratic to simply take ideas from other places and cement them into the plans we make for our own people,our own land,our own island,without engaging in an unhurried,full-blown examination of this agenda,neighbor with neighbor.Until such time as this takes place,we must place this draft of a General Plan on hold. Table 46 Objectives 13.Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. As above,SMART is an acronym taken from the World Economic Forum that pertains to Internet-Of-Things technology.Its purpose is linkage of devices for the purpose of control and monitoring.No island-wide discussion has taken place as to the merits of SMART GROWTH. Again,it is a concept from far away,irreversible once implemented,without so much as a real attempt to inform residents.How can a General Plan proceed on concepts alien to the people? Table 47 21.[Engineer infrastructure]to reduce stormwater runoff. Page 227 Table 48 25.Improve the efficiency and reliability,and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. 28.Increase green infrastructure practices. Example Indicators Annual funding allocated for [efficient]infrastructure initiatives Percentage of new development projects including [efficient]infrastructure elements Table 49 Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure P232 6.4.4 1.a Seek [procedure]to support wetland identification and assessments. 1.j Identify partners and [S]upport a public awareness and education campaign to elevate recognition of the value of urban trees as essential infrastructure. 3.b Create special (business)improvement districts to engage in environmental research, restoration and maintenance,natural resource management,climate change or sea level rise adaptation or other purposes to improve environmental conditions and provide community benefit. 4.a [Seek Hawaii Island residents and groups]to maintain and steward the preservation of sites, buildings,objects,and landscapes of significant cultural and historical importance. 4.c Support the identification of Heritage Landscapes,Corridors,Areas,and Centers. Heritage designation is UNESCO.It is crucial that Hawaii Island maintain control of its lands and natural resources,free of encumbrances of global organizations 4.h [Foment discussion among]government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders farmers,homeowners,and other residents 4.i private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners,and other residents Table 54:Climate Change [Delete Table 54:Climate Change has not been debated across Hawaii County in a systematic way.Such a debate would entail townhall presentations by each side,allowing all the time necessary to absorb the decades of information circulating through media and academia.At some later time,these information-gathering events could then be followed by public open debates.Hawaii Island residents at that juncture would then be ready to decide whether they wished to premise all future growth on the notion of Climate Change,or reject it as unscientific.] 240 Table 56 Transportation Access and Mobility 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance.[Complete Streets derives from Agenda 21’s SMART Cities designation.It has nothing to do with residents of Hawaii Island,until such time as they can be apprised of the overall design of Agenda 21,as it entails constricting traffic,expanding bike lanes and bus routes,installing islands -many changes that may or may not be workable. Hilo and Kona have very different requirements,and a cookie-cutter approach levels differences.Just because it is recommended by a national or international association does not mean it is suitable here.Again,it must be thoroughly discussed across the island before a decision can be made.] 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles.[Vision Zero,as stated above with Complete Streets,is an internationally utilized approach to pedestrian safety that first needs a full discussion here to see to what extent it is workable,if at all.] 243-255 27.d social equity,[No relevance to this category] 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for [strategies]for wastewater collection and treatment development. 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low impact development. 28.f Create a green infrastructure dedication standard. 28.l Identify County parks and recreation,rights-of-way,and other County owned sites for green infrastructure demonstration projects 29.a Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers, homeowners,and other residents for the research and development of alternative/renewable energy resources. 30.d Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities and other [Hawaii Island residents] 30.i [Encourage private]funding for broadband initiatives and deployments. 30.m Foster [private investments]to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, 32.c Review county lighting and landscaping ordinances to implement CPTED.CPTED is a component of a SMART City that watches,listens,announces,tracks,records.It is a creation of Agenda 21 and the WEF and the UN.It must be rejected by the residents of Hawaii Island unless/until it is thoroughly discussed and debated. 32.p This point to be deleted [In light of the controversy in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire,to be formulating a redevelopment plan,IN ADVANCE of an incident,creates a climate of distrust and anger.This subject must be handled very carefully in discussions with groups and individuals across the island.] 35.c Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.d Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.i government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.k private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 36.d communities,and other farmers,homeowners,and other residents 36.f communities,and other farmers,homeowners,and other residents Page 254 45.k Partner with government (e.g.,DOT,DBEDT,etc.),private and nonprofit agencies, communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents to monitor 45.l Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies (e.g.,business associations, realtors,chambers of commerce,etc.),communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 45.m expand the research and development industry for [innovative]economic development. 46.i private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents From:Mary Maxwell To:Planning Internet Mail Subject:Suggestions for the Dec 5, 2024 meeting. Date:Wednesday, December 4, 2024 5:35:06 PM Attachments:To Planners, for dec 5, 2024 meeting.docx I cannot attend in person but I feel extremely honored to participate. My letter is attached. To: Planning.HawaiiCounty.gov Dated and emailed on December 4, 2024 In regard to the General Plan, I offer this different way of looking at Big Island: Every human wants three things. 1. He wants nice things and security for himself. 2. He wants to share his time and effort for the good of the community. 3. He wants to follow an authority. That's theoretical. In reality, some people on Big Island own their home and therefore have a greater desire than others to see "home ownership" maintained. Also, some people are dissuaded from helping others if they feel the system is unfair or that they are being conned. Let's ask, who is doing the conning? When I see key words on the Plan, such as Equality and Climate Change, I reckon it comes from the mainland or, still worse, from the UN. Hawaiians can think for themselves. They have exceptionally good values: aloha, pono, and Nature. The aforementioned 'key words' seem to be driving the thought processes of the Planners. Pardon me, but I smell a fish market. From my experience (I have a PhD in Politics), there is usually a core group, or even just one strong boss, who DOES NOT SPEAK FOR THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE. She speaks for a set of individuals (outsiders) who are basically destructive. Because it is generally considered impolite, or mean, for me to say such an outrageous thing, it's unlikely to get aired. (Maybe you have already thrown this piece of paper on the floor?) How about holding a meeting where you don't say "Everyone here wants what is best for all." It is better to recognize our selfishness and our pathetic fears and our habit of groveling to a boss. But an even more sweeping statement should be made by the Planners. You should say: "We have been tasked with doing a Land Grab and this is just an early stage. Our leaders (unnamed) have instructed us to use a gentle method of bringing this about -- by disguising it." -- Whew! A million apologies for my bluntness but I see these going on, all around the world. Humans are devalued. Humans are being treated as "pests." Actually, the Big Guys in charge are the really stupid pests. I honestly think they don't see how their destructiveness will work against THEM. They live in a fantasy. So, we can actually feel sorry for billionaires. By the way, some billionaires bought land on Maui just before the 2023 fire. Apparently, we are supposed to believe that this has no significance. What! This goes to show how far we have turned off our brain. It's like when everybody believed the Emperor was wearing beautiful clothes, until a child asked "Why is he naked?" Oops. Good luck. I do know that you are trying valiantly. Please make a wild show of courage. It will invigorate all others. So many lives are at stake. Mahalo for the opportunity to participate. Very sincerely yours, Mary Maxwell. Still alive at age 77. (I don't know how to do the scan-a-signature thing. Sorry.) My email is: MaxwellMaryLLB@gmail.com From:Adam Roberts To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General Plan Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:06:04 AM Aloha, I wanted to comment on the transportation and reducing miles traveled portion of this plan. I attended a general plan meeting on November 4th in Hilo. It was raining that day. I drove 77miles from Ocean View to be there. I called the police line before I headed for home because I am aware that the highway floods near Punaluu and the road can be shut down. I was told thatit was open and that I should go. They would not tell me if the road would be closing soon. I drove 57 miles in rain only to arrive at Punaluu and it was closed with no ETA on opening. Iwaited there with my 3 keiki for 2 hours. I then found out from a friend that it would likely be closed overnight. at 7:45 pm I headed out the long way around the island to get home. After driving 182 miles, we arrived home at midnight. This was 239 EXTRA miles driven by just me. Imagine how many other people had to do this. This road flooding issue has been a known issue for as long as I can remember. There has been no solution, and there is not a good updating system. Had I known it would close, Iwould have just left over saddle road at 4:15 pm and avoided all the extra night driving in the rain and getting home so late, not to mention miles traveled. This is the second time in this semester I have had to do this. The first was after hurricane Hone. The rain had stopped but the road was still closed with no ETA on opening. I drove mydaughter all the way around the island there and back just to get her to her college classes. Please address these important issues. It extend more than just the flooded road. When an accident happens and the highway closes, there are no updates. People end up driving manymiles around to get home, where if they had an update, maybe they would not have. Please also address the issue of dogs. Our town has become unsafe. It is unsafe to walk, it is unsafe to own animals. A man was killed last year by dogs. People are attacked constantly bydogs. My neighbors, myself, and countless others have lost beloved pets (on our own property) to dogs. Please do something drastic about this problem! Please do not change land zoning and do anything that would hinder landowners rights in thisplan. Mahalo for your time, Adam Roberts From:heyhew@me.com To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:The Big Island General Plan Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 2:29:19 PM The Big island Plan is inherently violent toward local people and cannot go through as designed. It ishard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: If you’re serious about addressing a changing climate, you will BAN the two biggest polluters onthe climate: the US military and private jet travel. Leave the taxpayer out of this grift by puttingthe onus where it belongs—on the actual polluters. So-called "Stakeholders” are who collapsed the Soviet Union. Are you really trying to collapse thegovernment? If so, why? As public servants, you should be serving the public, not private equityfirms and corporations that are raping the public.Choose local communities over corporations. What in the hell will be left when there are no localBig Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, or individuals left? Is Gaza-style extermination the plan? That’s what this sounds like. Effective local community engagementand management are crucial for the success and “sustainability" of any initiative, as it helps ensurethat diverse perspectives and interests are considered. Unelected officials making decisions that affect the general public are NOT ANOPTION! Abolish all thoughts of The OSCER Department mentioned on page 188, 40.8. It would seem to me that while the local government has been levying taxes on farmers and otherresidents, while allowing billionaires to buy up all the affordable housing, the move to changezoning from residential to recreational is designed to collapse property values so they can bebought up for pennies on the dollar. Is that correct? If not, please explain. It breaks the AlohaSpirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made ponoagain. 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 isthe pdf showing 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 GoodMorning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other mediaoutlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is theinvestors, in renewable energy, want to make these changes. Hilo is 22% of the island, but somehow does not have a Community Development Plan. Thisdemonstrates the Mal-intent of this entire initiative on its face. Do better. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize privateland management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 becauseit's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to pursing takingpeople's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should befocused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food, not nebulous “conservation"! SteveShropshire, 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. Try again.Thank you, Adrienne Hew From:Donald To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony Subject:The Big Island General Plan 2045 Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:08:42 AM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! 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. 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. 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. 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf 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. 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. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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! 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_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c7 45bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3 579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee 8304.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: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b 691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf 286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Don Noguchi From:Janet Six To:WPCtestimony Subject:12/5/24 Special General Plan Meeting Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 2:51:15 PM Attachments:Testimony.pdf Aloha, Attached is my written testimony regarding the General Plan proposed zoning changes fromconservation to recreation along the Hilo coast. Mahalo nui,Janet Six Janet Six, Ph.D 355 Kalanianaole Street #217 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 To: Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission County of Hawaii Planning Department My name is Dr. Janet Six and I own a residential unit in Orchid Manor located at 355 Kalanianaole Street, #217, Hilo, HI 96720. I am also the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the condo association. Additionally, I serve on the Hawai`i County Cultural Resources Commission and work for the County of Maui as their Principal Archaeologist. I have grave concerns with the proposed change in zoning of the parcels along the coast fronting our historic 1969 condo from “conservation” to “recreation. “ In addition to the historic building itself (Orchid Manor was the first condo ever built in Hilo) there are important cultural sites along the coast such as the heiau (outlined in orange) listed in the State Inventory of Historic Places (SIHP) # 50-10- 35-18695 (Screen shots below are taken from the State Historic Preservations Divisions HICRIS database) Since the general plan was concieved in 2005, numerous, compelling factors have changed. We live in a post COVID world where homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues have skyrocketed. According to the Hawaii Health Data Warehouse: “Between 2022 and 2023, Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi Counties experienced 20% and 10% increases in total homelessness, while Maui County experienced a 5% decrease. • Hawaiʻi County: Of the 661 unsheltered households surveyed, 18.5% cited a family/relationship conflict, and 15.7% cited being unable to afford rent as reasons for their current living situation (https://hhdw.org/na-2023-point-in-time-counts/)” According to a January 30th article published this year by Civil Beat: “The Big Island’s homeless population has exploded in recent years. In 2019, 690 people were counted as homeless, a number that grew to 1,003 last year. https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/01/a-birth-on-a-hilo-sidewalk-reflects- challenges-in-helping-a-growing-homeless-community/” I fear changing the zoning from conservation to recreation will encourage homeless individuals to move into areas that are hidden from street view. We witnessed this during COVID in the heavily wooded areas abutting Kuhio Kalaniainaole Park. Residents at Orchid Manor have witnessed drug trafficking and experienced vehicle vandalism and theft. Many homeless individuals have mental health and/or substance abuse problems and I believe opening up more land for “recreation” will exacerbate the homeless problem. Homeless camps create sanitation and safety issues for those who live along the coast. Additionally, law enforcement doesn’t patrol or control any activity in this area leading to unsafe and uncomfortable situations for the residents of Orchid Manor – the majority of which are seniors. The conservation lot in front of Orchid Manor has maintained this area the expense of Orchid Manor owners for decades (TMK 2100679000).. Expanding a park into a commercial area would not be beneficial to anyone. Keaukaha is a beautiful area with plenty of park space for all that want to enjoy it. Adding a narrow strip of park space along the coast would simply be a further drain on limited County resources with no obvious benefit to Hilo residents or its visitors. A lot has changed since 2005, and I sincerely hope that you consider the importance of our personal safety and choose to leave these areas in conservation. Mahalo and Aloha, Janet Six, PhD. Board Vice President Orchid Manor Condo Association From:jlkinkona To:WPCtestimony; jlkinkona@proton.me Subject:General Plan 2045 testimony Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:05:06 AM Dear Commissioners, I listened to the Leeward Planning Commission meeting held on Nov 21 several times. One main topic that 2 commissioners (Mr Au and Mr Kanuha) brought up which seriously concerned me, had to do with public involvement. If you total up all the numbers furnished by Director Kern (12,470 divided by 208,000, which is the total population of Hawaii County) you will find that only 5.9% of our population participated in this life changing event. Thats way less than 10% of the population. That means that most of our residents are clueless as to how this general plan will affect them over the next 20 years. This is alarming!!! If there is anyway for you to stop the process and get more people to participate, it would be greatly appreciated. Also of concern is the newly created Resiliency Office (OSCER) which was created after Mayor Roth returned from his Climate Change meeting on the East Coast last year. This office needs to be heavily scrutinized. Why is it designated as the lead agency when it is so brand new? What other agenda does it bring with it that we should know about? In closing, I want to quote what our former State Epidemiologist, Dr Sara said back in 2020, when members of the State Legislature did a surprise visit to her office after she questioned the Covid Contact Tracing Program. She said, "I dont think the people of Hawaii would want to live like the people of Communist China." The next time you visit Walmart, take a look at the facial recognition screen located just above the entrance. Thats the kind of surveillance that goes on in many cities in China on their entire population. Is that what you want for Hawaii County? Mahalo, Josephine Keliipio Kona resident Sent from Proton Mail Android From:Juhl Rayne To:WPCtestimony Subject:general plan Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 2:18:07 PM looks like a communist plan to me juhl rayne From:Linda To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony for General Plan. Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:55:36 AM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Many Hawaii residents will not believe a climate change narrative especially since 8/8/2023 whenGovernor Joshua Green, told the United Nations and the world that the weird winds that fueled theLahaina fire was caused from a passing hurricane. Residents came forward just after the fires whichcontradict that narrative. Lāhainā Fire 2023 Never Forgethttps://rumble.com/v4n6nui-lahaina-fire-2023-never-forget.html A 5 minute version of the main point of the above video is in the lyrics in the song below. Hawaii 23https://rumble.com/v4mqqqo-hawaii-23.html 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. 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! 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 Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You cansee it in the pdf below: Part One: 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.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Linda KrollHawaii Island Inhabitant lindafayenaturallaw@gmail.com From:Mary W Maxwell To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:For Dec 5 meeting. Attached one-page letter. Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:08:27 AM Attachments:To Planners, for dec 5, 2024 meeting.docx Thank you, from Mary Maxwell To: Planning.HawaiiCounty.gov Dated and emailed on December 4, 2024 In regard to the General Plan, I offer this different way of looking at Big Island: Every human wants three things. 1. He wants nice things and security for himself. 2. He wants to share his time and effort for the good of the community. 3. He wants to follow an authority. That's theoretical. In reality, some people on Big Island own their home and therefore have a greater desire than others to see "home ownership" maintained. Also, some people are dissuaded from helping others if they feel the system is unfair or that they are being conned. Let's ask, who is doing the conning? When I see key words on the Plan, such as Equality and Climate Change, I reckon it comes from the mainland or, still worse, from the UN. Hawaiians can think for themselves. They have exceptionally good values: aloha, pono, and Nature. The aforementioned 'key words' seem to be driving the thought processes of the Planners. Pardon me, but I smell a fish market. From my experience (I have a PhD in Politics), there is usually a core group, or even just one strong boss, who DOES NOT SPEAK FOR THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE. She speaks for a set of individuals (outsiders) who are basically destructive. Because it is generally considered impolite, or mean, for me to say such an outrageous thing, it's unlikely to get aired. (Maybe you have already thrown this piece of paper on the floor?) How about holding a meeting where you don't say "Everyone here wants what is best for all." It is better to recognize our selfishness and our pathetic fears and our habit of groveling to a boss. But an even more sweeping statement should be made by the Planners. You should say: "We have been tasked with doing a Land Grab and this is just an early stage. Our leaders (unnamed) have instructed us to use a gentle method of bringing this about -- by disguising it." -- Whew! A million apologies for my bluntness but I see these going on, all around the world. Humans are devalued. Humans are being treated as "pests." Actually, the Big Guys in charge are the really stupid pests. I honestly think they don't see how their destructiveness will work against THEM. They live in a fantasy. So, we can actually feel sorry for billionaires. By the way, some billionaires bought land on Maui just before the 2023 fire. Apparently, we are supposed to believe that this has no significance. What! This goes to show how far we have turned off our brain. It's like when everybody believed the Emperor was wearing beautiful clothes, until a child asked "Why is he naked?" Oops. Good luck. I do know that you are trying valiantly. Please make a wild show of courage. It will invigorate all others. So many lives are at stake. Mahalo for the opportunity to participate. Very sincerely yours, Mary Maxwell. Still alive at age 77. (I don't know how to do the scan-a-signature thing. Sorry.) My email is: MaxwellMaryLLB@gmail.com From:Mele Akua To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:07:53 AM Aloha Commissioners, We’ve heard you are volunteers and just regular citizens like the rest of us – you represent us. Thank you for volunteering your time. Please consider all the testimonies you have received, and do your own research to examine the evidence you have been presented with. Do not rely on “Fact Checkers” as who checks the fact checkers? And all main stream media are owned by just 6 corporations, including “FactCheckers”. Here is an article: https://www.webfx.com/blog/internet/the-6-companies-that-own- almost-all-media-infographic/ There is no unbiased media. I remember learning in school that inChina and Russia, propaganda is used on the people, to control them, to influence what they think… so we would think it isn’t used on us here, when it is: "Operation Mockingbird" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y3aCtdwFqRw I have read the Hawaii County General Plan 2045, and it does not represent the people of Hawaii. My impression is that the General Plan from 2005 was changed after Hawaii County joined ICLEI in 2018. ICLEI is UN affiliated and stands for International Council of Local EnvironmentalInitiatives. General Plan 2045 is filled with United Nations Agenda 21 or Agenda 2030 propaganda. On September 22, 2024, the UN just passed their “Pact for the Future” to transform Global Governance, as a solution to the Climate Change crisis. You have already heard numeroustestimonies that there is no Climate Change and there is technology that can control the weather. Climate Change is an engineered or designed crisis as a reason to take away national sovereigntyas a solution. Here is another website with information on weather manipulation or Geoengineering: https://climateviewer.com/ UN Agenda 21 is a plan to bring about Totalitarian Technocracy over all nations, and take awayour rights and freedoms. Technocracy information here: https://www.technocracy.news/ The World Economic Forum, in a post from 2016 said basically, “By 2030, you will own nothing, rent everything, and be happy.” Here is the post: World Economic Forum: By 2030, "You will ownnothing. And you'll be happy!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omAk1gMyw7E I disagree - whoever ends up owning everything will be happy. It is extremely concerning that theHawaii County General Plan 2045 never mentions “home owner” and that there are several mentions that the County or State will seek to acquire private land. As it is based on a scam, please remove the Climate Change section and any references to it in the Plan. Please add stewardship for the land, and that our island will be protected from “chemtrailing” or “stratospheric aerosol injections” and other weather manipulation technologies. The state of Tennessee has banned chemtrails and other states are working on similar legislation. Also please remove "reduce miles traveled". Please remove any wording that will result in more taxes and restrictions imposed on the people,and change to strategies will be implemented that will lower the cost of living, lower taxes, encourage everyone to grow their own food, leading to food sustainability, just as the NativeHawaiians were self-sufficient when there were no supply ships coming here. Also add that the rights of the people to own private property, to participate in government and give public testimonies that are heard and acknowledged will be guaranteed. Here are some other concerns I have with General Plan 2045: · Please change “Stakeholder” to "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 andmanagement are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. · 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. · The Planning Department has sent out letters to many homeowners telling them their land use will be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This willdrastically 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 notokay. This must be made pono again. · 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. · 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" isthis 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 ofnatural resources". This plan should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! · 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 Site Plan: 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. Youcan see it in the pdf below: Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf Mahalo, Mele Akua From:Sarahlee Kittons To:LPCtestimony Cc:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony to General Plan Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 7:30:32 PM How this General Plan mimics the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. How is it much different, than stripping away peoples rights and eroding theinvisible forces that give life to the people, their connection, community and self susaainability, and their stewardship to the aina that provides for life here on theisland. Clear and simple purpose gives rise to intelligent action and successful outcomes. Complex rules and regulations create stupid and limited behavior. On Jan 17, 1946 on the 53 anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Senator Alice Kamokila Campbell, descendant of chiefs from thelineage of Queen Kapi’olani wife to King Kalakaua and one of the few voices who opposed the statehood for Hawaii gave her testimony to the joint-congressional committee on statehood was quoted by John Whitehead in saying I do not feel…we should forfeit the traditional rights and privileges of the natives of our islands for a mere thimbleful of votes in Congress, that we, the lovers ofhawaii from long association with it should sacrifice our birthright for th greed of alien desires to remain on our shores, that we should satisfy the thirst for powerand control of some inflated industrialists and politicians who hide under the guise of friends of Hawaii, yet still keeping an eagle eye on the financial andpolitical pressure button of subjugation over the people in general of these islands. I like the word “general”. It has a commanding presence doesn’t it. As in the General Plan. There is noting general about it as it is specifically designed to stripaway the life of the people and their connection to the Island. Where are you getting your decision making power? Are you being indoctrinated by information being handed down by unelected corporations, individuals orpeople in financially empowered positions? This is directed to the Climate concerns. Examples of such modification and behaviors of officials in the Maui disaster, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Technology was created for the good of supply better weather where needed.Once the powers found out about took it and our now capitalizing the weaponization against the people for monetary gain by those who demonstrate it’suse in death and destruction of life and property. They are evil doers that are allowing the transition and acquisition of property from long time localindividuals. This seems relevant to what is termed as stakeholders. https://youtu.be/82T30OlLBz0?si=5QZ6NfqUpTcku-mW This is a video regarding Nick Begich US Representative for the State of Alaskacoauthored the book— Angels don’t play this HAARP of which the HAARP facility sits in Alaska. Whereas there are many antenna, towers etc located aroundthe planet that are utilized in weather technology Weather modification https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/03/28/1048275/scientists-advance-cloud-seeding-capabilities-with-nanotechnology/ Here’s a weather modification website with a plethora of information. https://weathermodificationhistory.com/climate-global-control-trading-llc-steering-hurricanes-ionospheric-technology/ Monetization of water control through weather modification is now at hand. Thenext oil of the world is water manipulation. The concept of monetization of global market of water resources by means of cryptocurrency climate CORN. A lot ofmoney to be made by controlling the water. You can see this at Climate Global Control Tradinghttp://www.climateglobal.net In his article, "to command the hurricanes," Ross Hoffman (Ross N. Hoffman) - a leading expert and vice president of the Massachusetts company, "Studies of the atmosphere and the environment" (AER), describes similar experiments carried out to order NASA. The conclusion that makes a scientist, a very revealing: "Who knows, maybe after 10-20 years, many countries will become our regular customers at the establishment of national centers of large-scale climate control in their territory with our technology." How It Works For the management of weather processes in the atmosphere is used aspecial kind of electromagnetic waves of different frequencies. Creation and safely management of the atmospheric flows, thermallens, and also controlled and managed anomalies. Safely management of weather processes on the border of the ocean –atmosphere. Imagine the force fields, atmospheric wall with modified parameters,as in science fiction films. With their safely use, our specialists can create and safely managedifferent atmospheric tunnels in the that safely affect the current weather processes. We have special technology and equipment that allow literally in the smallest detail …..consider various natural atmospheric and weather processes in real time, if clicked on the Stop button in the movie player (frame by frame). Therefore, our specialists can see the impact that these processes, andto understand how and what to do for the effective management of that particular case. This does not exist anywhere in the world, because the weak changes in the energy field of the earth for area up to 10 million square kilometres, our our specialists and experts can detect and track and correct. The energy equivalent of this planned action may be tens ofmegatons, only distributed in time and space. And it may be comparable to the solar energyflowing into the territory (5 to 30%). https://climateviewer.com/2018/09/22/climate-global-control-trading-llc-creates- steers-hurricanes-with-ionospheric-modification-cloud-ionization/Detailed information showing all the sites of technology to control the weather worldwide. Videos of admitted weather storms. They bragging about controllingthe weather. Legal global deployment. Modern solutions for the global market of water resources. WATER Primary Water—Pal PauerWas the worlds leading authority on primary water. (also called earth-generated, juvenile, or magmatic) forms within the earth’s crust or mantle and is found incrystalline rock systems at depths of only 100 ft or more. This water is the source of all water on the earth and eventually reaches the groundwater, soil water, andsurface through vents and unconfined aquifers to become part of the hydrological cycle when extracted. article about the earth making water from the mantlehttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2119475-planet-earth-makes-its-own-water- from-scratch-deep-in-the-mantle/ Other researchers said it was plausible that this water caused deep quakes. “These results provide important insights into the reactions between quartz and hydrogen at high pressures,” says , executive director of the British Geological Survey. “The formation and release of overpressured water may be a signifcant trigger in the deep lithosphere for ultra-deep earthquakes, sometimes located well below the crus and in the more rigid parts of deep continental plates.” The fndings may also inform how our planet got its water to sart with. Studies over the pas few years have found evidence of , as far , quesioning the assumption that water arrived from space after Earth’s formation. A , for example, based on isotopes from meteorites and Earth’s mantle, also found that water is unlikely to have arrived on icy comets after Earth formed, as has long been assumed. Insead, all this research seems to sugges that much of – although no one yet knows exactly how much https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magmatic_water Magmatic water, also known as juvenile water, is an aqueous phase in equilibrium with minerals that have been dissolved by magma deep within the Earth's crust and is released to the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption. It plays a key role in assessing the crystallization of igneous rocks, particularly silicates, as well as the rheology and evolution of magma chambers. https://primerywater.com/images/Primary%20Water%20Introduction%20E N.pdf primary water is a unique form of water that is created deep in the Earths mantle.Unlike the traditional hydrological cycle that relies on precipitation, primary water is created inside the Earth by the synthesis of hydrogen and oxygen underhigh pressure and heat. Primary wate rthen rises to the surface through cracks in the Earth’s crust, where it can be accessed using specialized location techniquesdeveloped by us. John Ludden several oceans’ worth of water locked up in rock down as 1000 kilometres sudy published this week our planet’s water may have come from within From:Silvah N Gould To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:59:56 AM Aloha Commissioners, This Hawaii General Plan 2045 is not Pono for Hawaii. This is an InvasiveSpecies and should be eradicated for the islands to thrive and live. While you are skippin-and-a-hoppin about in your Wonderland, somebody in thedark had been scheming and plotting to take ALL the Wonder and the Land! Agenda 21 is the agenda for the 21st century. It has been re-branded in many names. Case in point: Hawaii General Plan 2045! 2045 is a milestone within the 100 year(century) plan. Agenda 21 is on a global scale: There's a worldwide movement to control you, believeit or not, by seizing your private property and resources and is taking root at a locallevel. This is a United Nations agenda to establish global government through radicalenvironmentalism. It's a global plan and is being implemented locally. Agenda 21 Sustainable Development Plan (or Goals - SDGs) is the action plan toINVENTORY and CONTROL ALL: · Land · Water · Minerals · Plants · Animals · Construction · Means of Production · Education · Energy · Law Enforcement · Healthcare · Information · Means of Transportation · HUMAN BEINGS IN THE WORLD It’s a comprehensive plan of action for total world domination. American Planning Association's - 12-week long communications boot camp: wherethey re-indoctrinate, re-propagandize planners and they told them that they need toinoculate elected officials against their constituents for speaking the truth about theAgenda 21 SDGs. If people are aware, people will reject regionalizing theirgovernment by an outside unelected entity. We ALL live here and have families; we should not be selling our GOD given rightsand freedoms to the few that would only want to take control and monetize …andleaving the rest of us outside of DEI ( Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)! United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) posted online: https://sdgs.un.org/goals Hawaii (Website) - Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - the same goals as theUnited Nation'shttps://planning.hawaii.gov/sustainability/sustainable-development-goals/ If Agenda 21 is a “conspiracy theory”, then why are the UN’s sustainable developmentgoals on the Hawaii website? You probably think, “What’s wrong with the UN? They’re working towards protecting the Earth and world peace. Why would they plan the Totalitarian take over of the world?” Most of us don’t know the religious beliefs of the people who founded and influenced the UN. Alice Bailey started UN affiliated Lucifer Publishing Company in 1922. The name was changed to Lucis Trust after criticism that they named their company after the Devil. In her books, Bailey wrote that Christ is Lucifer. She was a student of Helena Blavatsky, who started the Theosophical Society, and also wrote in her books that Lucifer is the god of this world. There are several verses in the Holy Bible that tell us Satan is the god of this world, but we rarely hear this in churches, and few of us read the Bible any more. It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe in Lucifer, they do, and they have all the power to lead the world. Here is a video about the UN’s tiesto Luciferianism: The United Nations’ Luciferian Connections | Truth Matters Ep. 4 (AmazingDiscoveries YouTube Channel) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF9-sViMHTk Most people would not think to Google “The UN is Luciferian”. I hope you will researchthis for yourself and conclude that no one should be taking advise or orders from theUnited Nations. Make General Plan 2045 for, of and by the people of the island of Hawaii. Mahalo! From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:EV"s are dangerous Plz take them out of General Plan 2045 Date:Saturday, December 7, 2024 10:52:18 AM Attachments:EV House.pdf EBus on Fire.png Amazon EV Van Fire.png Fire Cheif and EV Fires.png Aloha Commissioners, Mahalo for reading my testimony on Electric vehicles. They must be removed from the plan from pages: 66, 70, and 106, Electric Vehicle Batteries Are A Toxic Hazard Waste From: science.org on MAY 20, 2021 it reads: Materials expert Dana Thompson stated, “Recycling Electric Car batteries is a hazard.” “Cut too deep into a Tesla cell, or in the wrong place, and it can short-circuit, combust, and release flammable toxic fumes.” https://www.science.org/content/article/millions-electric-cars-are-coming- what-happens-all-dead-batteries# We cannot put these batteries in our landfill or down a lava tube. If they break toxic fumes will be released. Electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to last 100,000 to 200,000 miles, or about 15 to 20 years. What will we do with the batteries in 15-20 years? They are hazardous waste. Where will we put them? Electric Vehicles Are a Fire Hazard Fire Chief Jeff Baumunk said, “Electric Vehicle fires can take more than 2 hours to put out and between 2,500 to 25,000 gallons of water. https://youtu.be/K5vDWhMHTwE? si=jqOsHNmFCC63U2Sn July 20, 2023 Electric Vehicle caught fire in a garage on the mainland and couldn’t be put out in time to save the house. https://youtu.be/SIpXkQhq1ps?si=dNE- 8kY_-98FDdDc Aug 29, 2024 50+ Electric Vehicles caught fire in Illinoi at an automotive plant. https://youtu.be/aKFaudtDkOc?si=pPkAH7mGNWAgvnpv Some electric vehicle fires have been from the charging station and not the battery. They even put out fire jet streams. An Amazon electric van, and a fully electric bus fire have had fire jets coming out of them. I’ve attached the images. An expert said one reason for long jet flames could be from a 12 volt ion battery failing or from holes in the battery box allowing gases to vent out. There is gas not liquid in the battery. MAY 10, 2022 A shipping expert says there have been about 70 fires reported in the last five years on container ships. The problem with EVs, is that lithium-ion batteries can actually propagate the fire, igniting more vigorously as compared to conventional cell batteries. https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a39951439/is-it-safe-to- ship-thousands-of-electric-cars-on-big-ships/ These vehicles will stress our already strained electric grid. How is that sustainable? The range on an electric bus is 300 miles. The range of a gas bus is 750 miles. More than twice as many miles. Without the risk of burning people alive! Electric buses take a ton of energy, as much, or more than an average home. Semi Trucks even more. The buses and semi trucks could take up the entire electric grid! Plus, 2-3 more electric grids! Hawaii has the highest electric rates in the country. This plan will increase that per household by hundreds of dollars per month, if people have electric cars. What happens if and when the power grid goes down? How will people get to work or go to the hospital if there is an emergency? It’s an illusion that we’re burning less oil to fuel electric cars. We are actually using more oil to make the electricity to fuel the cars. Our electric power plants run on oil and will need to be expanded to supply the amount of electricity we’ll need for EV’s on the island. Mining Cobalt for Electric Vehicles Poisons People The people that mine the cobalt used in electric vehicles work in toxic and dangerous conditions. Do we want to be a part of that problem? People can't get out if the battery turns off! On Mar 13, 2024 Businesswoman Angela Chao lost her life after backing her Tesla into a pond and the car turned off. There are many examples of people not being able to get out of the car if the battery turns off. If the car catches fire and the battery turns off, they are dead. Hawaii is already supporting the planet! We don’t use more carbon than we make oxygen. Our island sequesters more carbon than we produce because of the plants. We’re already saving the planet with all our plants. To be more sustainable do not bring these dangerous, poisonous cars, buses and trucks to this island that further impact our electric grid. These electric vehicles must be removed from the general plan. Kind Regards, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:akya azarael To:WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii general plan testimony Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1:45:05 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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.pdf From:alicia palmvalleyfarm.com To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 5:38:24 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Please do not send this forward to the County Council as it is. Here are some concerns: A huge part of the plan is dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and means anyone worldwide 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. 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. Our voices will be silenced by OSCER. The Planning Department has sent out letters to many homeowners telling them their land use will be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This drastically lowers their property value and opens the door to rezoning 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. There is a significant section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be further researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientists who say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf showing the scientists 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 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. Hilo needs a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 pursue 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! 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 Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Mahalo, Alicia Wills Palm Valley Farm LLC From:Barbara Garcia To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Testimony/request to revise Hawaii General Plan Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 9:16:06 PM Aloha, I'm writing to request that the Big island General Plan be revised. It's not in the best interest of the island or its people the way it is written now. For one thing, why would anyone want to change the land use from resident to recreation? It doesn't make sense. It will lower our property values. The way this plan is written currently does not support our island or its people. To support it, we need to grow more food, and be less dependent on importing it. Please reconsider. Mahalo, Barbara Garcia From:caskw To:WPCtestimony Subject:Concerning thr General Plan Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 7:06:49 PM Attachments:Big Island General Plan 2045 Testimony (1).pdf Sent with Proton Mail secure email. Greetings, I moved to the Big Island in order to live an organic healthy life style. To grow food and raise animals sustainably. To share with other residence and be a part of a community a not dependent on globalists' supply chain networks own and operated by "share holders" in Wall Street. To care for and nurture the land, to provide abundance for all. I grew up in C.A. when it used to be all things that the Big Island is today. Then C.A. created policies, plans, regulations and taxes that destroyed it for the "property owner", while making "share holders" extremely wealthy. Now people slave away living in homes they can't afford, they are unhealthy from eating poor food shipped in from thousands of miles away and life stressful, unhealthy and very insecure. But it is considered "green", it is considered "sustainable" and "share holders" are doing really well. This General Plan aims to do here what similar "plans" did in C.A. This General Plan has nothing to do with "sustainability" or "Green anything" This plan is by design aimed at removing the people from their property, from their sustainable life and forcing them to live in "work force housing" where they will be totally dependent on government and mega corporations. This is nothing more than a land grab. You will find in the attachment many examples of the language used in the General Plan and why we should all be concerned. Bret Dixon. Legend: ●Black:Directly out of General Plan ●Red:Edit ●Yellow Highlighted is requesting text to be Removed ●Pink Highlighted is a Concern/Comments Page:27 Implementation Strategies “Zoning &Land Use Regulations Update regulations to align with the goals of the General Plan.” Please change to:“Update regulations”to “align with the goals of local Communities and the General Plan.” “Public-Private Partnerships Collaborate with private entities and homeowners to achieve mutual development and conservation objectives.” CONCERN:The word “Homeowner”is not written anywhere in the entire plan.That is VERY concerning.Why are you leaving homeowners out of the general plan that will affect them and their future generations?Please include “homeowner”wherever “stakeholder”is and where suggested in this document.Also,please be clear about who these private entities are that you want to collaborate with so this is more transparent. “Community Engagement Continuously engage residents and stakeholders in the decision- making process.” CONCERN:The community deserves to know who “Stakeholders”are and EXACTLY what they have stake in.Please define. Page:28 1.1 The purposes of the General Plan are to: ●Provide the framework for regulatory decisions,capital improvement priorities,acquisition strategies,and other pertinent government programs within the County organization and coordinated with State and Federal programs. This sounds like you want to take people’s property through acquisition and regulate the heck out of locals. Please change to the following:Provide framework that supports local farmers and communities without further regulations,capital improvement priorities,and other pertinent local and government programs within the County organization and coordinate with State and Federal programs to support thriving communities. ●“Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole.” Please change to the following:““Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole without violating personal freedoms,the Constitution or further regulating the public.” ●“Effect political and technical coordination in community improvement and development.” CONCERN:This sounds like you will bring politics into community living.That is not pono. Please change to:“Effect strategies that support community improvements and development for locals.” “The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies,planning commissions,elected officials,landowners,developers,and citizens to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi.” Please change to:The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions,elected officials,landowners,homeowners,developers,and locals to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi. Please add:(a)The general plan shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential,recreational,agricultural,commercial,industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources without violating personal rights and freedoms,and supporting local communities to prosper,and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites,while still giving access to the public;the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county (Remove) (b)The council shall enact zoning,subdivision,and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to support thriving communities,farmers and homeowners.The way it is currently written describes zoning people out of their homes with more regulations and fines. Page 29: (d)Amendments to the general plan may be initiated by the council or the planning director giving adequate notice to the public for needed testimony. Page 32: CONCERN WITH THE THREE CIRCLE “SUSTAINABILITY”DIAGRAM:The words: Sustainability and Equity are part of a political woke vocabulary and should not be in the Hawaii General Plan.Also,“Social and Culture Equity”should be removed.It is not the responsibility of the planning department to control the behavior of people.That again is a “woke”agenda.Nor does this language reflect a thriving community.“Environmental Protection”gives the impression of more regulations and a reduction of people’s rights.Please remove it. Instead call it:INNOVATION with these 3 circles:Economic Alternatives,Environmental Support,Thriving Communities The goal of the planning department should be to create an environment of prosperity and not one of over regulation and constraints on locals.We can do those through new innovations and not sustainability.Sustainability moves Big Island backwards not forward! 1.4 Innovation Principles and Practices CONCERN:Big Island needs to move toward free energy,which is available and not more regulations on what we have. Change:Integrating innovation into the General Plan is crucial for fostering long-term resilience and thriving communities. Change:“This includes increasing the effectiveness of new technologies to support local communities,improving coordination among various agencies and levels of government,and finding new and innovative ways to support our natural and cultural resources.for better development that supports a thriving environment,economic alternatives (sharing without taxes, trading without regulation),and flourishing communities.The General Plan recognizes this need and aligns with the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan1,which sets a strategic framework for achieving a sustainable future.By embedding sustainability principles into its core,this Plan sets forth a cohesive and forward-thinking strategy that addresses key challenges and anticipates future needs.”Please remove what is highlighted! CONCERN:By using the word “Sustainable”you are not supporting Hawaii to move forward. You are creating more control of the environment,and communities.That is not Pono and violates the HS [§5-7.5]"Aloha Spirit":"Aloha"means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.If the planning department creates a general plan that adds more regulations and constraints on locals,they violate the Aloha Spirit law. The Hawaiʻi 2050 Innovation Plan “created the State’s first definition of sustainability”(remove): A Hawaiʻi that achieves the following: 1.Respects the culture,character,beauty,and history of our state’s island communities; 2.Support a thriving community both socially and economically as we support our environment to heal and prosper;and 3.Meets the needs of the present without violating freedoms or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Page 33: In the diagram: “Regulatory Measures” ●County Code ●Administrative Rules ●Permits This shows that this general plan will increase restrictions and fees on farmers and other locals. This is not Pono.The plan should reflect innovation not constraints against the population. Please change to CHANGE TO: “Innovation Practices” ●Implement new resources ●Administration support ●Economic Alternatives Remove “permits”.Stop trying to permit the population to death! CURRENTLY:The Plan also incorporates guidelines to serve as strategic directions and standards to inform decisions regarding topics such as land use,infrastructure,housing,and resource management.These guidelines help to ensure consistency in planning and implementation,promoting sustainable growth,environmental stewardship,and community well-being.(This is a complete overreach of the government.You cannot tell people what to do with their property!It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to ensure people’s well-being!This should be revised to support environment,innovations,and thriving communities.) •Vision:The ability to plan for the future with creativity and innovation in support of thriving communities. •Goal:To see Hawaii Island become self-sustaining as communities and the environment prosper •Objective:Measurable,achievable,and time-bound milestones toward achieving a goal. •Guideline:A stated course of action that shall take precedence when addressing areas of concern and should be followed,unless a determination is made that it is not the most desirable in a particular case;thus,a guideline may be deviated from without penalty or sanction as long2 as it supports thriving communities,economic alternatives and supporting the environment. Page 34 Regulatory Implementing Actions (Locals DO NOT need more regulations and hoops to jump through.That will not support thriving communities.) Regulatory implementing actions are one of two types of approaches used in the General Plan to pursue the vision,goals,and objectives.Regulatory actions are controlling in that they define boundaries,development parameters,and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. The three regulatory implementing actions in the Plan include: Please change the last paragraph to: Work with local communities to pursue the vision,goals,and objectives.Find fair and supportive directions to define boundaries,development parameters,and measures intended to implement goals or objectives.Three actions in the Plan include: ●General Plan Land Use Map:A map that graphically delineates the areas of intended future land use types that support thriving communities and environmental support and do not hinder personal freedoms. ●Policy:A general rule for action focused on a specific issue,derived from more general goals3 that also support thriving communities and supporting the environment. •Standard:A supportive measure that defines the meaning,quality,or quantity of a policy by providing a way to measure its attainment. In the General Plan,future land use maps,policies,and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances,subdivisions,and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted through innovations and are flexible to support thriving communities. “because,as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter,Section 3-15.”Remove!The word “conform”is concerning.We are not in Communist China.Please revise to support thriving communities. Non-regulatory implementing actions typically involve community engagement,education and outreach,partnership development,and resource allocation to encourage support from the community (remove “compliance")and proactive efforts.This approach allows for flexibility and innovation in achieving the Plan’s vision. Throughout the General Plan,the objectives and policies are followed by a set of implementing actions.There are three types: Add:Community Support:Taking testimony and revisions from the community seriously and implementing where possible. Page 35: 1.6 Grounded Vision and Goals As we navigate our future,maintaining a balance between economic alternatives,environmental support,and thriving communities is paramount. By integrating those established values and principles,the General Plan ensures continuity and reflects the collective vision of Hawaiʻi Island residents,guiding new innovation developments while honoring our unique cultural and environmental heritage. The four primary chapters of the Plan encompass the innovation pillars of environment, community,and economy,as outlined in the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act Goals. General Plan Vision Statement Hawaiʻi Island is an exemplary leader with healthy and resilient communities that are built by innovative developments,a thriving and diversified local economy,and collaborative biocultural stewardship with locals. General Plan Chapter Goal Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed,preserved,and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment and use innovative techniques if and when appropriate to support future growth. Addressing Climate Change for Island-Wide Health CONCERN:Please realize there is no climate change emergency.1944 credentialed scientists from around the world have signed a “No Climate Change Emergency Declaration”.You can find it here: https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ Humans have less than 1%affect on climate. Please do your own research on this. Ensure the science is followed and investigate credentialed scientists and the Milankovitch cycles of which both have shown the earth is cooling.Since humans have less than 1%impact on climate,start supporting ways that we can maintain a healthy island by incorporating policies, programs,infrastructure,and decision-making that support the environment and thriving communities.And NOT policies that take away more freedoms and regulate locals to death! Hawaii Island will not believe in false narratives with political agendas. Innovative Development &Thriving We strategically apply innovative land use Communities It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to manage the health and safety of communities.That is an overreach of the government! strategies incorporating indigenous and contemporary knowledge and place-based practices to direct and manage growth for thriving communities. Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient,and comfortable movement of people and goods. Our communities are adequately served by innovation and efficient public infrastructure, utilities,and services based on existing and future growth needs,sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Our communities are thriving and supported and have access to integrative health, education,and social services to support a high quality of life for all residents. Residents have access to adequate (change to:comfortable)and affordable housing to meet the needs of the population and provide equitable (remove)opportunities for household flexibility and mobility. We employ integrated systems that are efficient,equitable (remove),fair,and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Thriving,Diversified,Competitive with Economic Alternatives Our economy is competitive,innovative,and supportive.It helps our communities thrive and increases local economic opportunities. Agriculture is a robust sector that supports local farmers and includes a broad range of agricultural-based businesses that highlight value,organic and good health practices. A high quality of life for locals is maintained when a supportive visitor industry balances economic growth with natural and cultural responsibility. Page:38 2.1 Introduction Collaborative biocultural (remove)stewardship is an approach to innovation development that emphasizes collaboration and partnership building among stakeholders (Who are they and what do they have stake in?),and homeowners and integrates natural and cultural resource management strategies to promote thriving communities.conservation,sustainability,and resilience (remove). Cooperative efforts aimed at achieving innovative development sustainable management (remove)of ecological systems are crucial for protecting our natural and built environments. Land use planning and management should be holistic,inclusive (remove),and adaptive to reflect thriving communities values,knowledge,and aspirations (remove).The General Plan provides key strategies to achieve biocultural (remove)supportive stewardship,including community engagement,partnership building,collaborative decision-making,and collective action. Environmental and social systems are complex and dynamic.These systems will require adaptive management and continuous learning as we navigate the future.The policies presented in this section seek to foster partnerships that are based on mutual respect,trust,and shared values.The community engagement process must be inclusive to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge systems into conservation and development strategies.Following such practices can promote the co-creation of knowledge,the sharing of resources,and the empowerment of communities.By leveraging the strengths and resources of different stakeholders REMOVE (Who are they and what do they have stake in?),and homeowners we can enhance the capacity of communities to manage natural and cultural resources sustainably (remove).We can also facilitate the creation of new networks and alliances,promoting social cohesion and resilience.Ultimately,the collaborative biocultural stewardship approach can foster a more integrated,inclusive,and equitable approach to conservation and development that reflects the aspirations and needs of local communities.(REMOVE THIS IS LANGUAGE IT IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FREEDOMS INCREASE GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDER OVERREACH AND BRING IN MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL) CHANGE TO:We can also facilitate the creation of new innovative programs that support and reflect the aspirations of thriving local communities. This fundamental element of the Plan strives to cultivate a sense of place and connection to the environment and recognizes that the management of natural and cultural resources requires the participation of local communities,government,homeowners and other agencies diverse actors,including communities,governments,non-governmental organizations,and private sector entities.By promoting collaborative decision-making and collective action,we can enhance the effectiveness,equity,and legitimacy of conservation and development and innovative policies.By promoting community-based conservation and restoration strategies,we can enhance ecological integrity,promote biodiversity,and preserve cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.(Redundant Remove)Biocultural stewardship acknowledges the role of cultural diversity in shaping environmental perceptions,attitudes,and behaviors (Remove.People do not want to be manipulated).[It recognizes that cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to maintaining ecosystem services and biological diversity.] (remove) Change to:Cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to supporting the growth of thriving communities that wish to improve their environment. Page 39: Table 1:Biocultural (change to Land)Stewardship Challenges The word “Bioculture”is reflective of both biological and cultural factors that affect human behavior.Locals do not want the planning department to affect our behavior.Your job is to support the land,environment,and thriving communities. Native Habitat •Hawaiʻi has been known as the extinction capital of the world. •Climate change and sea level rise pose threats to existing habitats for native flora and fauna. REMOVE (Again,according to 1944 credential scientists from around the world,there is no climate danger.This is a narrative created by the “stakeholders”to move their agenda forward. https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/)Has the water level risen in any of the towns in Hawaii? •Longer and/or more severe weather and climate change may increase the likelihood of wildfires.REMOVE (The Maui fire was NOT normal.A fire where trees do not burn but glass is melted out of cars,where animals and humans are left recognizable,and where plastic doesn’t burn or even melt is not normal.That was an attack and murder of our Lahaina ohana.That is why only 20 building permits have been issued after a year!AND why Lahahina is STILL locked down!) •Invasive species continue to pose a threat to native and endemic species as well economic, environmental,and human health.(Reminder:It is not the responsibility of the planning department to protect people’s health.) •The carrying capacity of our resources is not comprehensively modeled and monitored. (Modeled and monitored should be for government agencies.) •The County lacks specific regulations for wetlands,riparian ecosystems,or other valuable habitats. Stewardship •The County has a limited budget for its large-scale geographic responsibility for the protection of public trust natural and cultural resources.(Revise.This doesn’t make sense.What are you trying to say?What responsibility are you talking about?What does the protection of public trust mean?) •Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of unique biomes and ecosystems. •The difference between traditional and modern practices along with varying mauka to makai ownership makes it difficult to comprehensively steward natural resources. Page 40 Native Habitat The County can collaborate with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create models for monitoring the carrying capacity of natural resources that will support farmers and thriving communities. •Ongoing conservation work can continue to evolve from species-specific conservation (e.g., Albizia eradication)to focus on ecosystem restoration across multiple land ownership to protect Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity and support local farms. •Maintaining healthy,native-dominant forests offers immense savings of land biocultural (Remove)and water resources that might otherwise be lost to the impacts of climate change (Remove)and invasive species. •Conservation lands hold significant value in the water resources they represent. •Incentivizing and developing regenerative land uses without further regulations or fines,such as agroforestry,can provide sustainable opportunities to ecosystems and communities. •Hawaiʻi can become a statewide adaptation and resiliency leader by focusing on its unique strengths and diversity to evolve with changing realities. •Urban forestry can be prioritized or incentivized in the County Code.This means more regulations and possible fines.No thank you!Change to:Support the further growth of current urban forestry Watersheds ●Establish more place-based watershed partnerships to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of those water systems and protect our island’s watersheds and local farms. •Strengthen the integration of Hawaiian biocultural remove resource management and traditional ecological knowledge across County government to support local farms. •Practice an integrated approach to ecosystem-based collaborative management that considers the entire ecosystem and local communities. •Watershed protection and management require collaboration and coordination across all levels of government and must include effective community engagement.Revise to:Support Watershed and management coordination which integrates local communities. Stewardship ●Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of its unique natural biomes and ecosystems. ●Ongoing interagency coordination,including consultation with place-based land stewards,cultural and historical advisory groups,land and homeowners,and other stakeholders being transparent of what they hold stake in. •The County can take a more proactive role in exercising its protective public trust role for natural and cultural resources.This sounds like government overreach.Again,the planning department is NOT responsible for protecting the public.That is a byproduct of what you do but it is NOT the main part of your job!Revise to:The County can take a more proactive role in supporting thriving communities and their natural and cultural resources. •Maintain and increase involvement with existing partnerships and identify new partners that help promote and enhance biocultural (remove)Land stewardship. •Collaborate to complete additional EPA-approved watershed plans to increase eligibility for future conservation funding. Page 41 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal, Objectives,Policies,and Actions Objective 1 Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats. Policies 1.4 Maintain the shoreline for recreational,cultural,educational,and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of nature,respectful of resources,and is of the maximum benefit to the general public. 1.8 Prioritize native landscaping for all County projects while allowing communities to enjoy it at their leisure. 1.11 Encourage and incentivize green belts,tree plantings,and landscape plans and designs in urban areas without further regulations or fines. 1.13 Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource and values without further regulations or fines.and,when appropriate,pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources (Remove!This is a 110%overreach of the government.) 1.14 Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers, homeowners,and other stakeholders (What do they have a stake in?Who are they?)to: Page 42: a)Implement the Hawai‘i State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)(What is this plan?Where can it be found?) b)Better understand and model carrying capacities of the island’s habitats and resources c)Improve the inventory of forested lands and associated ecosystem services d)Encourage the continued identification and inclusion of unique wildlife habitat areas of Native Hawaiian habitat within the Natural Area Reserve System e)Anticipate future habitat migration,especially wetlands and coastal ecosystems f)Prioritize quantitative wetland assessment to identify wetlands g)Expand native and/or endemic forest cover h)Improve enforcement for illegal activities that harm or degrade endemic habitats (Who is defining endemic habitats and how is it defined?I MUST be defined by Hawaii citizen commission and not anyone outside Hawaii.Mainland people should NOT be able to define this.) 1.18 Public landscaping and irrigation shall be designed to maximize water use efficiency and native plants. Actions 1.b Review tree survey requirements and amend the Code to incorporate as part of site planning for public use. 1.h Develop buffer policies to protect native forests,wildlife,rivers,streams,coastal waters,and other native habitats without.This is too vague.What policies are you considering and will that come with penalties?If so,remove this. Page 43 1.i Create incentives for landowners to retain and re-establish forest cover in upland watershed areas with an emphasis on native forest species without further regulations or fines. 1.k Amend the landscape standards in Rule or Code (Remove)to require the use of native plants for screening or landscaping. Change to:Support local education on the importance of using native plants for screening or landscaping. 1.l Amend the Code to incentivize (Remove)Replace with Support local education on the importance of the establishment of threatened and endangered endemic plant species within their habitable ranges during development approvals. 1.m Review the Code and consider amendments to encourage site clustering of development in order to avoid critical environmental areas and assets.REMOVE This is more unneeded regulations.This is BIG Island.People do not need to be ontop of each other.You’re promoting too many regulations. 1.n Develop and establish Open Space Network Overlay on current unoccupied territory for natural landscape features,such as beaches and dunes,forests,streams, floodplains,wetlands,estuaries,or recharge areas that have the inherent capacity to avoid,minimize,or mitigate the impacts of climate change (Remove) 1.q Develop comprehensive programs and policies and provide resources for enhancing urban forestry canopy cover in unoccupied areas and without further regulations or fines for local farmers. 1.u Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders and local farmers to develop a program for the identification and protection of plant species of special status,including plants significant for cultural practitioners. Page 44: 2.7 Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers,and homeowners,and other stakeholders (Remove.Who are these people and what do they have stake in?)to: ○a)Implement a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies priority watershed areas for habitat restoration and enhancement without further regulations or fines on locals. ○b)Review and designate forest,river corridors,and watershed areas into the conservation district during State land use boundary comprehensive reviews. ○c)Monitor nearshore water quality and impacts to reefs and marine environments and address land-based sources of impacts. ○d)Protect and restore wetlands and riparian corridors to ensure more pristine water quality,decrease erosion,and increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration,nutrient/pollutant uptake,soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement,and cultural/community connections without further regulations or fines on locals.. ○e)Develop reasonable standards to improve stream and coastal water quality monitoring and encourage local communities to develop such projects without further regulations or fines on locals. Page 45 Objective 3 Increase direct community restoration and collaborative efforts to conserve and nourish the island’s biocultural resources. Policies 3.1 Encourage an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaiʻi’s resources by protecting,preserving,and conserving critical and significant natural resources without further fines and regulation on the population. Pg 47 Actions 4.b Change from:Reassess Certified Local Government status to ensure the support of farmers and homeowners and maximize funding opportunities for self-supporting communities. 4.h Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners, other local communities,and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in)to develop design guidelines for designated communities containing significant historic buildings,sites,or landscapes. 4.i Assess and prioritize County-owned lands for historic site restoration in collaboration with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,other local communities,and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in). Page 48 Objective 5 Protect,restore,and enhance our communities’unique scenic character. Policies 5.c Develop a process for reviewing and revising guidelines for designating Natural Beauty Sites without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. 5.d Establish a Scenic Resources Protection Program to identify,inventory,and protect areas of significant beauty.The program could include recommendations from the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project (2016)without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. Page 56 3.1 Introduction The climate change section of the General Plan is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated climate mitigation and adaptation efforts on Hawaiʻi Island.This element provides a high-level policy framework,building on the scientific knowledge and government-level strategies and actions developed in the Integrated Action Plan (ICAP)for the island of Hawaiʻi. This is VERY Concerning! As stated earlier the World Climate Declaration was signed currently by 1,944 scientists stating there is no climate danger.Here is what a few more scientists have to say.On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel,on May 14,2010,MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared the following: “If one asks,“Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?”it's always doing one or the other.I have no concern about that.By asking people to worry about whether it's going up or down,you're immediately establishing dishonesty.The Earth is always changing.Climate change is nothing you have to prove.It always is happening.It always has happened.So,to make that into something alarming seems a little bit weird to me1.” 1 “Global warming:why you should not worry,”by the Boston Globe,May 14,2010. Dr.David Dilley,a former Meteorologist with the National Weather Service,United States Air Force,Senior Research Meteorologist,and Climatologist at Global Weather Oscillations Inc., has 50 years’experience in meteorology and climatology.He's also a working partner in the International Hurricane Protection Association.This is what he has to say about global warming: “Global warming begins in the Arctic and Antarctic.It has about a 230-year cycle. When it comes back,it takes about 20 years for it to hit its peak.It started in the 1990s and hit its peak this past year.With global warming,the Antarctic and higher regions warm up.As it warms up,you have less cold air available to filter south into the middle latitudes,and it warms the middle latitudes.That is global warming2.” Dilley explained that the same thing happens with global cooling but in reverse,as the temperature increases and decreases in cycles.Dilley then shared that 2022 was the coldest spring and summer on record,with the winter of 2021 being the coldest winter on record.He also shared that in April 2023,five months before the Lahaina Fire,the Earth was running low-to-normal temperatures,and the Arctic was actually cooling down. Dilley is also an expert of the “Milankovitch Cycle,”which illustrates the rotation of the Earth,sun,and the moon,and their effects on global warming.According to Dilley,every 120,000 years,the Earth comes closest to the sun.Then,about 68,000 years later,it's the furthest approach from the sun.He says that our closest approach was 8,000 years ago.Dilley states,“We were warmer 6,000 to 8,000 years ago than we are today.The reason was that we were the closest approach to the sun and we had just come out of an Ice Age.We're 8,000 years off the peak now,and so we're actually cooling down.” John Coleman,also an expert on the weather,shares the same thoughts.Coleman was the original weatherman on Good Morning America in the 1970s.He founded The Weather Channel in the 1980s.In 1982,he was voted “Meteorologist of the Year”by the American Meteorology Society.With regards to the Arctic and sea levels,Coleman states: “They tell us that we're melting the polar ice caps.The Antarctic polar ice cap is at an all-time high,and the Arctic ice cap is increasing again after diminishing. They tell us that we're flooding the shorelines.Do you live on the coast?How much has the water come up in your lifetime?They manufactured data to make it look like we're increasing the water level of the oceans,but we’re not3.” Professor Richard Lindzen states: 3 “John Coleman's case against significant man-made global warming,”by Kusi News,June 24,2013. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=Cn-ApS8z2Y_kiI76 2 “Signals -Global Cooling Cycle Beginning -Global Warming Ending -Professor David Dilley,”by David Dilley GlobalWeatherCycles,May 10,2023.https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=67zNptmdOoWQzWqF https://youtu.be/pwvVephTIHU?si=XoxAcPc51JNOXdeR “At any given place,traditionally,sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges:a stick in the water,basically.Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows:the land moving up and down and the sea moving up and down.In most places,it's the land that has the biggest effect,and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise141.” Let’s review the danger of water rising and engulfing coastline towns.Is there one city or town on the shoreline that is in danger of being underwater?Is Venice,a town that lives at sea level,in danger of being lost to the sea?Have home insurance companies stopped giving insurance policies to homeowners who live on the coastline because they’ll soon be underwater?The answer would be no! On August 21,2020,NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.”It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches)per year between 1900 and 20184.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years!Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water?No.It shows that it will be a very,very,very long time before humans are in danger.Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth”are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12,2007,titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on global warming,"An Inconvenient Truth,"contains "nine errors5."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science”website6. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1.The film claims that melting snow s on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming.The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct. 2.The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years.The Court found that the film was misleading:over that period,the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 6 “Inaccuracies in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth -A Ruling of the British High Court” https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Tru th.html 5“Truth is,Gore film has 9 errors,British judge rules,”by Mary Jordan,Oct 12,2007. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has-9-errors-british-judge-rules/ 4 “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900,”by Ian J.O'Neill /Jane J.Lee,August 21, 2020.https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ 3.The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming.The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible”to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4.The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming.The Government’s expert had to accept that this was not the case. 5.The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice.It turned out that Mr.Gore had misread the study:in fact,four polar bears drowned,and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6.The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream,throwing Europe into an ice age.The Claimant’s evidence was that this was a scientific impossibility. 7.The film blames global warming for species losses,including coral reef bleaching.The Government could not find any evidence to support this claim. 8.The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters,causing the displacement of millions of people.In fact,the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9.The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand.The Government was unable to substantiate this,and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also,the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1.The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt,causing sea levels to rise dangerously.The evidence is that Greenland will not melt for a millennia. 2.The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting;the evidence was that it is,in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore,the documentary’s moderator,makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus.For instance,Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon,creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh139.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist”and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted,it would release this amount of water “but only after,and over,a millennia.” The climate change narrative will destroy people’s freedom and add more regulations,fines and fees.Do not allow this government narrative to continue on the Big Island.The people do NOT want more laws,regulations,and fines based on a false narrative that completely changes community infrastructures from self-reliant to “sustainable”living,with “stakeholders”carrying the purse strings and the power.That is NOT Pono! Gregg Braden is a geologist,five-time New York Times best-selling author,scientist, international educator,and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy,and human potential,had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with.We are carbon-based beings.By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life,we’re actually demonizing ourselves7.” Science 101 shows us that plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.If plants die due to lack of carbon dioxide,so do humans for lack of oxygen.During the Cretaceous Period,which began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago,we had a lot more carbon than we do today -tons more!This was the time of the dinosaurs,and everything was huge!Plants were much larger than they are now. The sea levels were also a lot higher during the Cretaceous Period.Was that due to more carbon dioxide?Not according to an article at Britannica.com written by Thor Arthur Hansen,Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology,Paleoecology,and Evolution at Western Washington University,U.S.,and Carl Fred Koch,Professor of Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University,Norfolk,Virginia.It was fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7,2024.The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges8.It was not due to carbon!It was due to the Earth's mantle. On January 11,2023,in an episode titled “Why “THE POWERS THAT BE”are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?”posted on geologist and scientist Gregg Braden’s YouTube channel,John L.Petersen of the Arlington Institute stated: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland,you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide.That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change;it is the response to the temperature change9.” In the same interview,Braden stated: 9 “Why ‘THE POWERS THAT BE’are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?”by Gregg Braden,January 11,2023.https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=cz2jDjrSmJaITiDx 8 “Cretaceous Period,”by Carl Fre Koch,Thor Arthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period 7 “Gregg Braden -Why “THE POWERS THAT BE”are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official,January 11,2023.https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher;that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher;and that C02 is the driving temperature,both of which are not true147.” Gregg showed a graph indicating that during the Cretaceous Period,carbon dioxide levels were over three times higher than they are today.Carbon dioxide levels were between 800-1,000 parts per million.During this period,there was an extreme greening of the Earth. Plants and life thrived! According to Braden: “If CO2 drops below 184 parts per million,that seems to be the threshold where we (humans) are in trouble!If CO2 drops below those levels,we are actually cutting off the very life-force that is providing oxygen on this planet.” Is the entire CO2 narrative intended to increase the bankroll of the “stakeholders”around the world invested in renewable energy with no regard for human life? Stakeholders who’ve invested in progressive and “sustainable energy"have a lot to gain in their pocketbooks by populations living in fear of climate change and believing they will be “saving”the Earth by going along with renewable energy and electric vehicles.They’ll also be giving up a lot of their freedoms in doing so. Page 59 Transportation The General Plan further discusses strategies for decreasing vehicle reliance and (Remove) improving public Transportation Access and Mobility.You have no right to hinder people’s right to travel.Please take ANYTHING out that references decreasing people’s use of their vehicle! The County can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power public facilities and infrastructure,reducing VMT,(REMOVE).YOU CANNOT LIMIT PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRAVEL.THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION AND IS BEYOND YOUR JURISDICTION Page 61 The General Plan expands on opportunities for climate-conscious land development in the Land Use section without violating people’s rights,over regulating or increasing fines. Page 63 The General Plan further expands on strategies to increase resilience in the Transportation Access and Mobility,Public Utilities,and Public Facilities and Services sections without violating the Constitution,or over regulating farmers and homeowners. The General Plan expands on renewable energy in the Public Utilities section with safety studies prior to installation,and without increasing costs to the public. Page 66 Transportation •Promoting the use of electric vehicles through expanding charging infrastructure and educating the public on the safety studies done for the use of these vehicles from third parties. Renewable Energy •Increasing the use of green technology (including third party safety studies)will increase the energy independence of individuals and businesses on the island. •Supporting renewable energy technologies,such as solar,wind,ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC),and geothermal (Remove.This practice is not safe for an island with active volcanoes!) Land Use &the Built Environment •Implementing smart growth strategies,without violating people’s right to travel can reduce urban sprawl and create more walkable communities. •Developing a County building code that balances health and safety,affordability,and carbon footprint (REMOVE!This is more regulations and fines.NOT Pono!It is NOT your responsibility to focus on people’s health.That is for each individual!This is an overreach! •Encouraging the construction of energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings being sure to prove any additional technology is safe for the public.. •Promoting regenerative agriculture practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration while not further regulating farms or increasing fines. •Greening urban areas increases the availability of cool areas for residents to live and recreate. •Integrating energy savings and waste management,without more regulations and fines on the population,provides an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in new development. Conservation •Protecting reefs and marine ecosystems that act as carbon sinks,without hindering public use. •Implementing a One Water strategy and other water-saving technologies and practices can reduce the energy required for water treatment and distribution.This is NOT a good idea.If this goes down,where will people get their water?Remove or revise. •Conserving natural habitats without hindering public use to preserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change. •Efforts to expand renewable energy,with third party safety studies and without hindering public use,can consider the preservation of unique and diverse ecosystems,avoiding negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats. Additional Measures •Improving public engagement about climate change and encouraging sustainable practices. (Remove and educate yourself on the fact that scientists from around the world have stated there is no climate danger.) •Implementing policies and regulations that support climate mitigation efforts,without further regulations or fines on locals.(Please educate yourself) •Supporting research into new technologies and approaches for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience and include third party safety studies while ensuring no further cost to the public. Page 67 Water Resources •Management Promoting a One Water strategy can create cross-agency collaboration to identify and address overlapping challenges in adapting to sea level rise and building more resiliency into infrastructure across water,wastewater and stormwater sectors.How does this promote collaboration?This seems like a monopoly. Agriculture &•Food Security Encouraging the cultivation of climate-resilient and diversified crops to enhance food security without further regulations and fines. Infrastructure &Urban Planning Retrofitting or relocating bridges and roads provides an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions by reducing miles traveled.(REMOVE)THIS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION.YOU CANNOT DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL.ALSO,HOW ARE YOU GOING TO “RELOCATE”LOCAL BRIDGES.THIS SHOULD BE REMOVED! ●Implement zoning and land use planning policies that consider climate risks and promote sustainable development after a full investigation of the climate change narrative is examined.(Do not further regulate and fine people without fully investigating the climate change narrative and proving that any additional technology is safe for the human life.) Social Equity ●Engage communities in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that adaptation measures are socially inclusive (Remove.This is woke language.)and culturally appropriate. ●Increasing equitable resilience to climate hazards will benefit historically marginalized and frontline Engage communities (What does this mean?)and those that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Energy &•Transportation ●Invest in renewable energy sources that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience. ●Promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce overall energy consumption and without increasing regulations or fines Biodiversity &Ecosystems ●Managed retreat strategies and new shoreline setback regulations would expand open space along the shoreline to support coastal ecosystems such as anchialine pools without hindering public access. ●Supporting conservation programs that are proven safe for the people and the environment can help protect native species and habitats from climate change impacts without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. ●Strengthening measures to control and eradicate invasive species can help protect local ecosystems. ●Enhance habitat connectivity to allow species to migrate in response to changing environmental conditions without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. Education &Capacity Building ●Build capacity for local government agencies by providing training and resources that improve their ability to plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives without increasing regulations and fines. ●Collaborate and coordinate with the County’s Office of Sustainability,Climate,Equity, and Resilience (OSCER).This is woke language and should be removed. ●Support research and monitoring efforts to better understand climate impacts and the effectiveness of adaptation measures.(Please educate yourself on this false narrative) ●Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and adaptation strategies.REMOVE (This is a FALSE narrative that you would be perpetuating.) Page 68 3.2 Climate Change Goal, Objectives,Policies,and Actions This ENTIRE section should be removed.Rosa Korie WARNED that what is planned for this country through the planning departments “is an erasure of jurisdictional boundaries.It is a loss of private property rights,a loss of sovereignty -both personal physical sovereignty and physical sovereignty in terms of our nation -and it's a loss of our freedom.” From Rosa Koire's special presentation to the New Hampshire Legislature. https://youtu.be/350IbVtpzvw?si=u_NNsNoL9XtGxDEA Page 71 8.3 Collaborate with farmers,government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts.(Please educate yourself on this false narrative.Is Kona or Hilo or any Hawaiian town close to being underwater?NO!) 8.11 Partner with government (e.g.,State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development [OPSD]),private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to analyze conservation buffers to accommodate shifting native habitats impacted by climate change,particularly wetlands and high-elevation forests. (Remove this ENTIRE section!We do NOT want “buffer”zones!You want to take away the ability for people to be in nature.That is NOT pono!) 8.b Support and partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?on research for adaptive policies and technology that includes safety studies to the public and environment,that increase resilience without further regulations and fines on the public.. 8.d Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard-prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation. REMOVE.THIS IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH!THIS IS NOT A COMMUNIST COUNTRY!YOU CANNOT TAKE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY! 8.e Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they?What do they have stake in?to implement environmentally beneficial upgrades for wastewater,irrigation,and/or landscaping,including sea level rise,storm,and other climate change considerations.(Remove).Getting at least three bids for contracts from different companies. Pg 74 -4.1.1 Introduction 1st para:“achieve sustainable development and”(Remove) change “resilient”to safe 2nd para:“Sustainable development is a key objective of land use planning for the County.By strategically”and in the sentence “Land use planning is essential.(Remove)change “resilient” to safe. 3rd para:-change “resilience”to safety.“and the impacts of climate change”(Remove)Better prepared for and protected against potential disasters.Change:“sustainable”to diversified. “desirable”to fair,equitable. Last para 5th line down:Change:“should”to may Pg 75 Economic Opportunity Planning:“other growth sectors.”Need to be specific,identify other growth sectors. Last sentence:“muck like the weave of sustainability,”(Remove) Pg.76 Table 16:Land Use Key Trends Changing &Aging Population:“Over the next 25 years …..0.9%per annum”decline in population already seen and projected needs to addressed as to why the population is in decline.How you do Planning if you don’t address reasons for population decline.This is crucial. Housing Affordability &Choice:“In 2010…”down to “However,on average,Hawaii County’s overcrowding…..” Shifting Visitor Accommodation Types:-Change “With the upward trend….”to “rentals.”& “There is also a shift..”Revise that entire sentence. Job Availability &Growth:-Revise last sentence “In 2020,14%of the…..” Pg.77 Table 17:Land Use Challenges Revise: Infrastructure section Regulations section Funding &Financing entire section Land Use Compatibility entire section Public Engagement entire section -(My note is What is NIMBYism?) Pg.78 Table 18:Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure::last sentence “County departments can provide…..” Regulations:Red:“Collaborate across State and County agencies to…..”(Need more public input and ideas); “The most direct role the County plays..,..property tax policy.”(Need much more research on property tax rates,regulations,policies &scrutinized by the public who are affected by paying property taxes.This should be the most glaring concern so that we do not leave tax burden for future generations who may lose their properties to taxes paid to the government). Funding &Financing:“Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity building plan…..stakeholders.”(Remove) Market Conditions:“Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments….”Add: without violating people’s right to own property or take this out.Revise it.This is government overreach! Land Use Compatibility:“Demonstrate smart growth developments.”(Remove) Public Engagement:“Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBY)without further regulations and fines.”(What is YIMBY?)and next line “Apply strategies to….”“stakeholder”.Who are these stakeholders?What do they have stake in? Pg.79 4.1.2 Land Use Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions Item 9.7 -Red:“Encourage”change to Mandate developers Item 9.8 -Red:“Route selection for …..”that entire sentence.(This is a high priority revision as it pertains directly to 5G dangers.Here is where the people/public need to have direct input/approval/changes. Item 9.a -Red:“Develop a process for County…..”this is crucial for public scrutiny &opportunity for the public to get transparency.Transparency can only be realized if we,the public include ourselves into all governmental processes.If not,we will not get transparency,period! Pg 80 Land Use Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions -continued Item 9.e -“Conduct a review and re-evaluation….”entire sentence to be revised. Item 10.3 “Proposed discretionary permits for large developments…..Ka’u Districts”-Not clear needs revision. Item 10.b “Amend…….allow CPDs to be applied to all zoning districts…”-Why amend the Zoning Code?We need to compare current Zoning Codes to what they propose to amend to see if the people or the developers have the advantage.What are CPDs? Item 10.c -Red:“Collaborate with the State Office of Planning…..Native Hawaiian customary and traditional..”Need to revise to ensure that Hawaiian cultural experts,NOT the State government or its agencies have any input for preserving,protecting,educating,safeguarding, sharing,marketing,..every aspect of utilizing our native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli)heritage of language,practices,traditions,religion &more belong exclusively to the kanaka maoli elders, experts,kupuna,kahuna,healers NEVER the government or its agencies…NEVER!!! Pg 81 continue Item 11.4 “Concurrency reviews should incorporate…..(Remove)”entire sentence absolutely NO! Actions 11.a -Red:“Collaborate with the SHPD to create…..”entire sentence -Need experts. 11.d -Red:“Amend Zoning Code….”do not give the Planning Director more power,it’s time to decrease power for that position,we need to humble these government workers/servants.Now is that time as history has shown us,when they have power,they want more;when they have more power,it’s not enough &the cycle continues while the people suffer.STOP giving away the power from the people. 11.f -“Update traffic impact…..”(Remove)entire sentence.Travel should not be the Planning Board’s power to take away from me or you,ever. Objective 12 Reduce the threat to life and property from natural hazards and disasters. Policies The above sentence -Red:add “unnatural &natural hazards”-It is important to identify the reality that unnatural hazards have always existed,therefore,why is that omitted? 12.3 Red:“Consider natural …….”Again add in unnatural &force the Planning Board to address DE disasters,weather machine disasters which are human created disasters,which is criminal.Why shouldn’t the Planning Board include these disasters as they certainly affect the health &safety of the people &our environment. 12.8 Red:“Encourage the development….”entire sentence.Again,must address DE/Weather machines/human initiated disasters. Pg 82 Actions Item 12.a -Red:“Update the Building Code…..”entire sentence need extreme revisions,I initially wanted to delete,but it is necessary to revise to include unnatural/man made disasters & address “carbon footprint”.These are areas to not hide by deleting,but rather talk about them through revisions. Item 12.g -“Amend the Zoning Code….”(Remove)Until they can prove climate change is happening,delete this section that refers to climate change as that is a false narrative that we the people/public should not allow to continue.I do not want to tell a lie over &over again until everyone believes it.That’s breaking the 10 commandments. Pg.83 4.1.3 Overview of Land Use Designations and Maps No changes. Pg.84 Table 19:General Plan Land Use Designations and Maps No Changes Pg.85 Agriculture and Natural Land Use No Changes Pg 86 4.1.4 Urban Growth Areas 2nd para:Red:“Smart Growth”change to something safer,know what it represents not hidden meanings.Black out:the word “sustainable”and from “More specifically,urban centers have been designed to create….Driving.”-The government or its agencies should not impede or alter the rights of citizens to travel it’s call our right to travel,which is constitutional. Pg 87 Objective 13 Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. Policies Red:change “Smart Growth”to Evaluate and analyze development within designated urban centers. Item 13.3 Red:“Incentivize”what is that &how does it benefit the public? 13.6 Red:“may include additional acreages to account for…..”must revise section to make it clearer as to how this inclusion will work to the advantage or disadvantage of historic sites, public access,parks,&open spaces.More clarity is necessary because saying ok to unclear “PLANNING”should never be accepted. Item #13.12 -Red:Revise entire sentence “Urban renewal,rehabilitation….”need to include people or the public not just communities,businesses,&governmental agencies.Planning Boards should always include the people/public.This will give people the power to make decisions,not just testify for 3 minutes at a Planning Commission hearing.That needs to change.More people/public involvement needs to be promoted.This involvement may be the inspiration or motivation for people to become active in planning for themselves,their future generations.It is time for governments &businesses to take a back seat! Item 13.13 Red:Revise entire sentence.“Support master planning by …..”it’s not “Support”it should be to Scrutinize,evaluate,analyze and recommend by experts and the people. Pg.88 Commercial -Industrial Item 13.28 Red:“Discretionary permit applications…..Entire sentence need revision as it is not fair to have Discretionary permit applications for new commercial developments.Everyone follows the rules,no exceptions by the Planning Board. Resort Item 13.49 -Red:Revise “On-site affordable housing and workforce units shall be excluded from the total permitted visitor unit counts…..”Again,how does this exclusion help the people, the visitors,the workforce?How does it affect permitted visitor unit counts? Pg 90 Actions 13.c Red:revise “Amend the Subdivision Code to ensure block sizes are based….”What are the current codes &what are the proposed amendments to compare who will have the advantage or disadvantage of this proposal to Amend Subdivision Code. Pg.91 Urban Character Guidelines Table 20:Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Character Guidelines No Changes. Pg.92 Table 21:Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.93 Table 22:Urban Neighborhood Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.94 Table 23:Industrial Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.95 Table 24:Criteria for Industrial Land Conversion to Commercial/Mixed-Use No Changes Pg.96 Table 25:Resort Area Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.97 4.1.5 Rural No Changes Pg.98 Objective 14 Maximize the use of Rural designated lands to preserve rural character and lifestyle.Policies All items from 14.1,14.2,14.3,14.4,14.5,14.6 -Red:Must revise all items as the Planning Board is asking for Support of everything they are doing,which contradicts any changes that the public may be deemed detrimental.Asking for “blind”support is ridiculous. Actions -Items 14.a,14.b,14.c,&14.d Red:Revise all items as it is asking to Amend Zoning Code,zoning districts which is crucial to see current codes compared to amendments.How are these amendments affecting the public to their advantage vs.disadvantages.This is very important to NOT just accept amendments.Thorough research is necessary to protect the public. Pg.99 Table 26:Rural Neighborhood Character Guidelines No Changes Pg.100 4.1.6 Agriculture Last para:“The General Plan provides planning tools to incentivize the highest and best use of productive agricultural lands.The Plan’s policies……entire paragraph need to be revised.I am especially concerned with the word “incentivize the highest and best use…here again what does this mean,how will it be done,who benefits. Pg.101 Objective 15 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Actions All items 15.a,15.b,15.c.15.d,15.e must be revised Not just Amend. Pg.102 Actions (continue) Item 15.f -Revise “Update the Real Property Tax Code…..”need public input for transparency. Item 15.g Revise “Amend the Zoning Code…”again do not just accept Amending Item 15.k Revise “Collaborate with USDA and the State….It’s not just collaborate,it’s what are the decisions based upon,what are the final decisions,how are these decisions helping farmers.Since,we have passed hundreds of years farming in Hawaii you would think we have identified major problems,why these problems do not get resolved,who are responsible for the non-resolutions.This is just repeating ….USDA,the State who have been in charge of agriculture,I want to see a report card that covers 1950s to 2023.Report cards are transparency mechanisms to identify who &what are creating our farmer’s problems.We cannot fix anything without transparency.Politicians say it,but absolutely no actions.This section is entitled ACTION.Let us begin to act. Pg.104 4.2.1 Introduction Third para:“Resilience….”I don’t want the word resilience to be an escape mechanism for the government or its agencies.That word should change. The last para:“The Plan is focused on improving connectivity within …..”this sounds good,but I don’t see good results as I am pass 70 yrs old.We should not accept “rinse &repeat”.What did the Planning Board learn from over 100 yrs.Of past failures?They say they focus on improving,yet we cannot determine how they will improve.Stronger language to ensure that the public can know they plan to improve. Pg.105 Table 27:Transportation Key Trends No Changes Pg.106 Table 28:Transportation Challenges All items Red:Revisions necessary.It refers to electric cars,Pre-COVID-19 (false narratives that must be stopped) Pg.107 Table 29:Transportation Opportunities All items Red:Need revisions since they want to establish metrics,improve interagency collaboration,prepare projects,standardize interagency agreements.It contains a multitude of changes that are unclear,very ambiguous,&again,transparency is lacking. Pg.108 4.2.2 Transportation Goal,Objective,Policies,and Actions All items Red:Requires revisions.Examples:item 16.2 “Encourage safe and convenient use …...non-polluting”What is non-polluting to the Planning Board?What do they know about pollution as they don’t know that EMFs are dangerous pollutants.And example:Item 16.10 “Identify and evaluate transportation…..energy and climate issues.”We need to stop the false Pg.109 Actions -continue All items -Red:Revisions necessary.Same reasons as above for Pg.108. Sorry Michelle -did not complete pages 104 to 118-119.Can do later/Kalei K.completed today, Monday 9-23-24 at 12:01 pm. Pg.110 4.2.3 Active Living Corridors and Public Access No Changes Pg.111 Objective 17 Increase transportation connectivity. Policies All items Red:Need revisions.Example:Item 17.1 “Ensure Native Hawaiian access rights are clearly expressed….”This is an area of talk talk talk &no action.Again,what violations have already occurred,how long have these violations been going on,have these violations stopped? Just putting in a sentence in a Plan does not mean it has been adhered to.Therefore,these proposals are weak.As a native Hawaiian it is imperative to get enforcement for these violations,identify violations,how long it’s been happening,why &who are responsible to stop violations,protect native Hawaiian access rights.If this item #is weak,which it is -than the others need revisions. Pg.112 Table 30:Public Access Spacing Standards No Changes Pg.4.2.4 Mass Transit All paragraphs need revisions Red:revisions necessary.Mass Transit has been proven wrong on Oahu,the Rail.Over budgeted,from hundreds of millions of dollars (budgeted)to billions of dollars,NOT budgeted.Who is paying for this government error?You,me &our visitors.We have an historic example from the City &County of Honolulu.The people protested against this “Rail”,but years later a Mayor brought back the Rail &all Mayors thereafter continue with this project.Please investigate this “Planning”before Hawaii County repeats history.All words in this section/page are the same words use by the Planning Dept.of the City &County of Honolulu. Absolutely requires total revisions to 4.2.4 Mass Transit Pg.114 Objective 18 Increase mass transit ridership by 50 percent by 2045 Policies All items are basic objectives.No changes (yet) Pg.115 4.2.5 Roadways 2nd to last para:What is the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan Pink:Concern Pg.116 Objective 19 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) All items Red:Need revisions Concern -What is reduce vehicle miles traveled?Why reduce vehicle miles traveled?What is this agenda for &what will it accomplish?Who will benefit? Again,our right to travel cannot be altered or impeded as that right is protected by the US Constitution &God. Pg.117 Objective 20 Achieve a transportation system that employs all modes of transportation at a community scale. All items need to be revised Pg.117 continue:Objective 21 Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff.Policies All items Red:Concern See item 21.1 “green infrastructure strategies,and pollution prevention procedures….”Again,sine the Planning Board does not understand EMF pollution &its dangerous -what are they talking about here “pollution prevention procedures..” Pg.118 continue from above.Actions &Objective 22 Increase transportation safety for transportation’s most vulnerable users and reduce traffic fatalities.Policies All items Red:revise Pg.119 Continue from above. All items from 22.7 to 22.9 Red:revise Concern. 22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles.This appears to be referencing the very unproven technology of ‘driverless cars??’Emerging technology needs to go through rigorous standards of testing before being released onto roadways.This text here,with a clear reference to something that is already proving dangerous on the roadways and the subject of lawsuits does not belong in our County Plan. 22.8 Maintain dedicated roadway standards that are appropriate to roadway type and achieve active transportation and safety goals. 22.9 Engage and collaborate with the owners of private roads and local community groups to help identify and develop road management agreements that mitigate road closures to provide emergency evacuation routes. Actions 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles.This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail.These safety principles need to be spelled out or they don’t belong in the County Plan. ●22.b Develop educational programs promoting traffic safety.Where something is designated an ‘action’in a County General Plan Document,sufficient detail should be provided.This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. ●Objective 23 Adequately maintain public transportation systems. Policies ●23.1 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans for pavement,bridges,and other road infrastructure to prolong the life of our transportation system as well as reduce its whole-life cost. ●23.2 Maintain the unique features of historic bridges,while balancing safety needs and preserving historic and scenic character. ●23.3 Prioritize the replacement of deficient and inadequate bridges and maintain pedestrian/bicycle access across bridges. ●23.4 Design new bridges and bridge improvements to accommodate and not negatively impede identified scenic resources. ●23.5 Evaluate freight routes identified in the State Freight Master Plan for required improvements to meet roadway standards. ●23.6 Encourage the adoption of innovative materials and methods that improve roadway sustainability and resilience. Actions ●23.a Create an asset management program. ●23.b Continue the bridge inspection program and expand rehab or replacement to include active transportation accommodations. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 119 Roadway Standards The County adheres to several federal and industry standards for roadway design.These include the AASHTO Green Book and Roadside Design Guide,the MUTCD,the NACTO,and the Highway Capacity Manual.5 Examples of topics addressed by these guidelines include road geometry (e.g.,curves,sight distance),safety within ROWs adjacent to travel ways,design speeds,level of service,signs/striping/signaling,and urban transit.In addition to these sources, the County adheres to the following locally defined standards. Street Standards Highways shall not be wider than four through travel lanes that accommodate single occupancy vehicles and should be limited to the most populated areas typically connecting residential areas with employment centers. Integrate transportation networks to prioritize the most vulnerable roadways users and the greenest modes of travel through a Multimodal Hierarchy (Figure 7)that prioritizes investments in the following order: 1.Pedestrian 2.Public Transit 3.Bicycle 4.Auto This is a directive for future transportation policy ?It is 4 words and yet it is a giant reach toward a set of ideals and it is not explained at all in detail. OBJECTION :This ‘policy directive’reflects a radical socialist agenda of forcing people to give up automobiles and give up their autonomy at the same time.This shows contempt for the most basic principles of freedom..We refer you to :The United States Constitution which “protects the freedom to move about within the country,both domestically and internationally.This fundamental right is deeply rooted in American liberty and has been recognized and protected by the Supreme Court.“ The priorities established in a General Plan should reflect careful consideration of the island’s economy and how to best support our island economy but instead this prioritization of pedestrians ‘first’and ‘automobile’transport reflects an obsession with addressing carbon as a ‘cause’for an alleged crisis for our climate..It’s strange to us that in this document that purports to be about a plan for ‘development’there is barely a focus on the actual economy.Here instead we see a document ‘prioritizing’Pedestrian travel (on an island with very few densely populated urban centers)without context of what will actually promote agriculture,commerce,industries, jobs and economic activities.This directive would make more sense for an Oahu General Plan because of the size of the land mass and ratio of population.If it is in this document without much explanation then it appears to be a reflection of a ‘fad’in transportation policy rather than a practical and well thought out policy directive. The minimum roadway width standards to accommodate the County Roadway Classifications were adopted in Resolution 779-20.The following provides an overview of this standard with reference to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)Functional Classification system. 4.2.6 Transportation Terminals:Airports and Harbors As a major hub for tourism,commerce,and connectivity,Hawaiʻi County recognizes the importance of effective planning and management of its airports and harbors.These key infrastructure components serve as lifelines that facilitate economic growth,enhance regional connectivity,and provide essential services for residents and visitors.Airports and harbors connect the County to the rest of the world,allowing for the efficient movement of goods, people,and ideas.They are essential nodes within the transportation network,acting as important economic drivers for the region.Efficient airports and harbors directly contribute to the success of various industries,including tourism,agriculture,trade,and logistics.Moreover,they are instrumental in supporting emergency response efforts,disaster management,and ensuring the overall resilience of the region’s transportation system. Again,over and over the objection ‘in general’to this General Plan 2045 is that the document references ‘economic growth’and yet does not address the actual drivers of the economy in detail.As public servants it is your best service to our island if you would study how you can support the farmers,producers of goods and services to build a great economy together. Unfortunately there are dozens of instances where legislators and public servants have imposed restrictions,fees and taxes on those very ‘drivers’of our economy.Airport Terminals and Harbors do not ‘cause’the economy to grow and are not drivers of the economy and yet we see a General Plan with weighted emphasis on ‘transportation’and urban development without seeing evidence of a study of what will actually support the individuals and households that produce economic value for our actual economy.This is an extremely poor outcome for a document that presents as a ‘guide’for legislators and policy makers for the next 20 plus years. The principal concerns of planning for transportation terminals involve a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects,including location,zoning of adjacent land, infrastructure development,capacity management,safety and security measures, environmental sustainability,integration with other modes of transportation,and financing and programming of improvements and services through capital improvement projects.While the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (DOT)is responsible for the actual design, construction,and operation of terminals and supporting facilities,the General Plan addresses the location of these facilities in relation to the pattern of overall land uses.There are two deep draft harbors on the island,one in Hilo and another in Kawaihae. While improvements continue to be made,both harbor terminals lack adequate docking and Harbor has increased significantly as the population and development in West Hawaiʻi continue to grow.In 2011,the Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan was developed by the State to accommodate the future needs of facilities ●CONCERN:THE HARBORS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII.THEY ARE HARBORS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR ISLAND AND WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY.WHAT HAPPENED TO HOME RULE?WHERE WAS THE CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE TO HAND OVER CONTROL OF OUR HARBORS TO THE STATE ?. ● ●Air terminals that transportation are in Hilo,Waimea,ʻUpolu,and Kona.The terminals at Hilo and Kona are overseas facilities.Overseas flights at the Kona International Airport at Keahole will continue to increase with the growth of resort areas in Kona and Kohala. Overseas flights through Hilo International Airport have been important for agriculture in East Hawaiʻi. ●What is concerning about this County General Plan 2045 is the lack of analysis about our actual economy.WHY DO WE SEE A DOCUMENT THAT STATES ‘OVERSEAS FLIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WITH THE GROWTH OF RESORT AREAS?’THIS PLAN SEEMS FLAWED DUE TO LACKING IN CRITICAL ‘ARGUMENTS’FOR THE PLANNED GROWTH BASED ON ACTUAL NUMBERS AND STUDIES .IF THERE ARE STUDIES AND STATISTICS THAT DO SUPPORT THE ASSERTIONS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE GENERAL PLAN ABOUT PROJECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH THEN THEY SHOULD BE REFERENCED AND INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.ALSO CITATIONS OF WHERE THIS INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC IN ‘CONSULTATIONS’ ●STRANGELY THE HILO PLAN IS MISSING FROM THE GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENT AND THIS IS ONE OF TWO URBAN CENTERS AND THE CENTER FROM WHICH TWO OF THE ‘HARBORS’AND ‘TERMINALS’OPERATE?THIS SEEMS (AGAIN)A GLARING OMISSION. ●Since 2011,the DOT has embarked on a $2.3 billion Hawaiʻi Airports Modernization Program to improve the safety,capacity,and efficiency of our major passenger and cargo airports. As the population becomes more mobile and as resident and visitor populations increase,there will be a greater demand for new and expanded transportation facilities that are adjacent to compatible land uses and include alternative and active transportation connections to decrease the demand for cars and reliance on fossil fuels.OBJECTION TO THIS SENTENCE IS THAT IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY FACTS OR AN ARGUMENT MADE FOR THE CASE BEING PRESENTED.AGAIN THE CONCERN ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT IS THAT IT IS COMMITTING OUR ENTIRE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEGISLATURE TO A RADICAL COURSE OF ACTION BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT FOSSIL FUELS ARE TO BE ERADICATED AND THAT PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ALSO BE ERADICATED AND OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.THESE PREMISES ARE PART OF A RADICAL SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION SINCE IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LIMIT THE FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS TO FREELY MOVE ABOUT. service inter-island 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 122 Objective 24 Improve accessibility to airports,harbor systems,and support facilities. Policies ●24.1 Encourage the programmed improvement of existing terminals,including adequate provisions for control of pollution and appropriate and adequate covered storage facilities for agricultural products. ●24.2 The State Department of Transportation should continue to implement its plans for transportation terminals and related facilities to promote and follow desired land use policies. ●24.3 Transportation terminals should be developed in conjunction with the different elements of the overall transportation system. ●24.4 Encourage maximum use of the island's airport and harbor facilities. ●24.5 Encourage the development,maintenance,and enhancement of Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors as detailed within the State’s Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan.THIS COULDN’T BE MORE VAGUE AS A STATED OBJECTIVE.IT DOESN’T REFERENCE THE VERY PRACTICAL MATTERS OF ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR ISLAND.WHERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ACTUAL ECONOMY IN THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT ?THIS ALSO OMITS MENTION THAT A PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY WOULD BE THE RATIONALE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT KAWAIHAII AND HILO HARBORS.AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO HANDING OVER HARBORS TO THE STATE OF HAWAII WHERE THEY ARE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE ISLAND . ●24.6 Support the State’s objectives to acquire rights within the runway clear-zones,limit heights within approach zones,and restrict noise-sensitive uses within designated noise contours determined by the State.CONCERN:THIS APPEARS TO REFERENCE PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND SUGGESTS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD ‘SUPPORT’THE STATE TO RESTRICT USES AND ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS ‘NEAR TO AIRPORTS?’THIS AGAIN IS ONE MORE COMMUNIST LAND GRAB PRACTICE.THIS DOESN’T BELONG IN OUR COUNTY PLAN DOCUMENT FOR 2045. ●24.7 Future land uses in the vicinity of airports and harbors should have an adequate open space buffer and/or be compatible with the anticipated noise exposure and industrial nature in the vicinity. ●24.8 Encourage pedestrian-oriented connectivity around harbors and small boat harbors. ●24.9 Encourage master planning of small boat harbors to accommodate commercial and recreational fishing,tour boats,as well as business and recreational ocean activities,that balance economic vitality and environmental sensitivity.CONCERN THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE MANY USERS FROM ACCESS TO HARBORS (SAILING COMMUNITY,FISHING COMMUNITY HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGHER USER FEES AND MORE RESTRICTIONS OF USE IN RECENT YEARS)AND MANY OF THE HARBORS IN THE STATE HAVE BECOME PRIVATIZED.(If privatization occurs,then management controls everything..). Actions ●24.a Create a strategic improvement plan,including mapping,for County owned and/or managed boat harbors and develop an island-wide needs assessment to better serve regional gaps in ocean accesses. ●24.b Ensure collaboration with State agencies to offer a variety of transportation options at airports and harbors. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 123 4.3 PUBLIC UTILITIES 4.3 Public Utilities ●4.3.1 Introduction ●4.3.2 Goal,Objectives,Policies,and Actions ●4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation ●4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse ●4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure ●4.3.6 Electricity and Renewable Energy ●4.3.7 Telecommunications and Broadband Connectivity 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 124 4.3.1 Introduction In Hawaiʻi County’s pursuit of a prosperous and resilient future,public utilities stand as pillars of essential infrastructure.THERE IS A LOFTY CLAIM MADE BY THIS ENTIRE EXERCISE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DOCUMENT ITSELF REPRESENTS ANY KIND OF PLAN FOR A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE.THERE ARE MANY BUZZWORDS THAT ARE BEING USED IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT ARE HOLLOW.THESE WORDS THEMSELVES DON’T CONJURE UP A FUNCTIONING ECONOMY BUT THEY DO OFTEN GIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS THE WARM FEELING THAT THESE WORDS CAN ‘DO ALL THE WORK.’THIS DOCUMENT IS LACKING IN A GROUNDING OF ACTUAL ECONOMIC STUDY AND LACKS THE INSIGHTS INTO THE OBVIOUS WAYS THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM SECTOR AND ENCOURAGE NEW INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND. These are services regulated by the government and provided in response to existing and prospective patterns of development.Changes in land use,population density,and development usually generate changes in the demand and supply of utilities.As the backbone of modern society,public utilities encompass a wide range of vital services that support the health,safety, and sustainability of our communities.This critical infrastructure allows us to function in many ways,including the ability to maintain healthy living conditions,proper sanitation,and access reliable energy to power our homes and businesses. Public utilities play a key role in forming the foundation upon which social,economic,and environmental progress is built.Such essential services enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors,and businesses while safeguarding the natural resources and cultural heritage of our island.The significance of public utilities can be understood through their contributions in the areas of environmental sustainability,economic prosperity,and social well-being. Public utilities drive environmental stewardship by promoting clean energy generation,efficient water management,waste reduction,and recycling initiatives. AS PART OF GENERAL PLANNING AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICE,WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO AUDIT OF THE WASTEWATER DIVISION OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT?NO DOCUMENT PURPORTING TO PLAN AHEAD FOR 2O PLUS YEARS CAN COVER FOR THE FACT THAT MALADMINISTRATION AND POOR LEADERSHIP HAS LEAD TO MULTIPLE ‘FAILS’OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT WHERE LEAKS OCCURRED AND THE PUBLIC WASN’T ADEQUATELY INFORMED.THE PLAN SHOULD START WITH A MORE SERIOUS ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURES OF THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM. Through the application of sustainable practices and technologies,public utilities protect our fragile ecosystems,mitigate climate change impacts,and preserve the beauty of our island for future generations.HOW DO ‘PUBLIC UTILITIES’‘MITIGATE’‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ? This is an example of a wild overstatement and is not supported by fact.Additionally,robust and reliable infrastructure attracts investment,supports economic growth,and fosters job creation.From powering local industries to enabling efficient transportation networks,public utilities are catalysts for economic development,making our communities more resilient in the face of challenges.Waste to Energy incinerators have been opposed multiple times in the past in Hawaii County and each time a massive multi million dollar contract for construction of an incinerator was required which the public was going to be financing over many years.We notice that the Incinerator ‘Waste to Energy’proposal is in this County General Plan 2045 in spite of all the protests in the past.This history of pushing forward unpopular projects that have seen community objection and then forcing the property Access to safe and affordable utilities is a fundamental right of every individual. Really ??Who wrote this ?As a general comment,it has been pointed out repeatedly that this ‘General Plan’document is poorly written and has many flaws.Here we see misuse of the term ‘fundamental rights’where there is no such ‘fundamental right.’While ‘Safe and Affordable utilities’may be considered ‘essential’for a ‘standard of living’or to meet the definition of ‘economic prosperity’but use of the phrase ‘fundamental right’is a confusion of what the legal understanding is concerning ‘fundamental rights.’The ‘fundamental rights’of say ..‘freedom to move’ARE (as cited elsewhere in the transportation section)the rights that this document happily waives aside (ignoring the Constititution in the process). Further,there should be statistics included about what proportion of the island currently is ‘off grid’since that proportion is very high and those numbers would provide a necessary context for all discussion about proposals to provide utilities ‘affordably’AND ‘universally.’ Public utilities ensure equitable distribution of resources,allowing residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy necessities such as clean water,affordable energy,and accessible internet-based services.These services enhance public health,education,and overall quality of life,fostering thriving and inclusive communities.‘ As with previous comment,this entire section seems flawed due to lacking in facts.This statement reflects ‘wishes’rather than a series of steps toward an attainable goal. Given the unique challenges posed by our geography and vulnerable ecosystem,the General Plan aims to effectively guide the development,maintenance,and improvement of these critical services.This section of the Plan is primarily concerned with the planning aspects of our,water, wastewater,stormwater,electricity,and telecommunications systems.Planning for the location of utility facilities such as reservoirs,pumping stations,and sewage treatment plants is an important aspect of the land planning process,as it makes way for development opportunities. Where is the context for this statement?Here we see the notion of ‘development opportunities’ being introduced without context or explanation.This is objectionable since it could be interpreted by future administrations or legislatures as a ‘mandate’for growth while lacking any parameters. Unintegrated utilities can burden developments with lower levels of service and may limit or even prevent development.The integration and availability of public utilities in priority growth areas are imperative.CONCERN:Why isn’t this spelled out more ?Why is there no clear explanation here of what is meant by ‘priority growth area’. Changes in the intensity of land use greatly influence the quantitative design of utilities and services,particularly their design capacity.There may be distinctions in the type of services offered for each utility as land use intensities vary.These distinctions also depend on local codes and ordinances,health and sanitary considerations,and practices followed by utility companies. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 125 Table 33:Public Utilities Challenges General •Funding and financing the development,conversion,repair,operations,and maintenance of public utilities are central challenges for communities,developers,and county government.WHAT IS MISSING HERE IS REFERENCE TO THE IDEA THAT HOMEOWNERS WILL ALL BE ASKED TO PAY FOR CONVERSION FROM CESSPOOL/SEPTIC OVER TO ACTUAL COUNTY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.THIS TOPIC DESERVES A FULL DISCUSSION. DITTO WHAT IS CONCERNING IS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ‘DEVELOPMENT’OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.. •Any large infrastructure expansions are paid for by developers and the costs are not to scale for financing. •Geographical variability and obstacles require creative solutions for utility buildout. •Aging public utility infrastructure must become more resilient to natural hazards,extreme weather events,and climate change impacts.WHERE ARE THE CITED STUDIES PROVING THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING WEATHER EVENTS /CLIMATE WEATHER ?IN THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT WE SEE NONE REFERENCED. •Absent,aging,or dilapidated infrastructure limits new development where it is needed,consistent with strategic land use patterns and inhibits existing development.THIS SENTENCE IS POORLY WRITTEN WITH THE RESULT OF CONFUSING THE READER.WHY ARE WE LEFT WONDERING WHAT IS BEING SAID HERE? •Outdated utility systems and practices can pose environmental and health concerns and are expensive to change. •Disputes over water source capacity can prevent development where it is needed and consistent with desired development patterns. •Water commitments have been assigned to parcels that are not being developed or lack development potential.THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR ELSE EXPLAINED SO THAT THE MEANING IS CLEAR. •Guidelines for assigning water units per system need to be updated. •Modeling of water demand and potential demand needs to be closely aligned to land use.•The water systems serving,North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,and Puna will require additional water source development. •On-site wastewater disposal can adversely impact groundwater resources.THIS APPEARS TO BE A REFERENCE TO SEPTIC /CESS POOL SYSTEMS.ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. •Wastewater planning and policy primarily focus on maintaining and servicing existing systems and do not proactively plan for developing new systems to accommodate growth or to extend existing lines to align with urban zoning. •County policy has largely relied on private developers to develop commercial and private wastewater systems for new development,which ultimately leaves significant municipal service gaps in urban areas. •Many County wastewater systems may not be able to accommodate unserved,existing zoned capacity and projected growth. •Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing private systems or upgrades due to the insufficiency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. •Wastewater requirements hinder the redevelopment or rehabilitation of existing structures and are often seen as an affordable housing issue. •Treated wastewater is typically discharged into ocean waters or injected into the ground and is not generally reused. •Wastewater infrastructure improvement and development costs are not fiscally planned for,either in the County budget or through County wastewater fee valuation. •Individual wastewater systems (IWS)are associated with limitations and regulations.Currently,the Department of Health’s rules do not allow single-family dwellings and additional dwelling units (ADU)on a single IWS system. •Reliance on IWS is an impediment to compact development due to minimum lot size requirements for IWS,thereby contributing to sprawl. •Coastal residential neighborhoods without centralized wastewater are contaminating near-shore waters with pollution from IWS.ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. THIS SEEMS TO IMPLY A POLICY DIRECTIVE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO APPLY TO COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS ?IMPOSING FINES OR HIGH COSTS TO HOME OWNERS TO ADDRESS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MAINS SEWER OR EVEN SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN ROCKY TERRAIN WILL LEAD TO DELINQUENCY AND THEN FINES AND POTENTIAL SEIZURE OF PROPERTY.THIS IS A VERY ‘DANGEROUS’POLICY DIRECTIVE TO LEAVE AMBIGUOUS.THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE MUST BE EXPLORED AND CLEARLY STATED. THIS DOCUMENT IS CITING THE HUGE OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR ISLAND WHERE SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON CESSPOOLS.WHILE THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE BIO-REMEDIATION METHODS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL ‘WASTEWATER TREATMENT’NO STUDIES ARE INCLUDED,NO MENTION OF THESE KINDS OF OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED.BIO REMEDIATION WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BELONG IN A DOCUMENT LIKE THIS SINCE SUCH METHODS SHOULD BE EXPLORED AS A COST SAVING MEASURE AND DATA IS AVAILABLE TO DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVENESS.FURTHER THE IMPACT TO COASTAL ECO SYSTEMS OF INADEQUATELY TREATED WASTEWATER AND RAW SEWAGE ARE WORTHY OF MENTION HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT. TO CITE A WELL KNOWN EXAMPLE:THE ‘GENKI BALL’EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN SEVERAL POLUTED WATERWAYS IN HAWAII.MOST NOTABLY THE ‘GENKI BALLS’USED AT ALA WAI CANAL IN HONOLULU RESULTED IN BETTER WATER QUALITY AND FISH RETURNING TO THE AREA.WHERE A COMBINATION OF CULTURED ‘BOKASHI’AND CLAY WERE INTRODUCED TO THE WATERWAYS THUS BILLIONS OF MICROBES WERE RELEASED CAPABLE OF REDUCING ECOLI AND OTHER LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN THE WATER.THIS AND OTHER KINDS OF BIOREMEDIATION BELONGS IN A PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR HAWAII ISLAND. PAGE 126 •The looming deadline to convert cesspools to sewer or other IWS may create lack of local expertise to meet demand if not properly planned. •The future impacts of climate change on future rainfall volumes are uncertain.WHERE IS THE FACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS ‘MAN MADE CLIMATE CHANGE’? •Outdated codes limit the effectiveness of stormwater infrastructure and stormwater-related practices. •Water quality changes caused by non-point source pollution,human activities,erosion,and sediment transport can negatively impact environmental systems and processes. •A lack of incentives and flexibility exists in the permitting process for stormwater and green infrastructure. •There is a lack of a dedicated funding source for public systems. •There is a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. •The State of Hawaiʻi has the highest electricity rates in the United States. •Building codes,design perspectives,and construction practices can increase electrical demand. •There is a constant need to update and renovate electrical systems and infrastructure. •The adoption of renewable energy practices may offload environmental costs to other distant communities,which can offset positive climate action.POORLY WRITTEN ,AMBIGUOUS GENERALIZING STATEMENTS LIKE THIS DO NOT BELONG IN A COUNTY GENERAL PLAN .WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY THE TERM RENEWABLE ENERGY ‘PRACTICES?’WHAT ENVIRONMENT COSTS ARE REFERRED TO HERE?HOW ARE COSTS ‘OFFLOADED TO DISTANT COMMUNITIES’ HOW ARE THESE OFFSETTING ‘POSITIVE CLIMATE ACTION?’ •Renewable energy developments can be controversial,such as geothermal and wind turbines.THIS STATEMENT IS OBJECTIONABLE.THE REASON THESE ‘ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS’ARE ‘CONTROVERSIAL’IS THAT THEY HAVE INJURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HARM.WE NOTE THAT NUCLEAR POWER WAS IN THE ORIGINAL FIRST DRAFT OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL.IF MAKING A CASE FOR GEOTHERMAL OR WIND TURBINES (OR NUCLEAR ENERGY)OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ACKNOWLEDGING THE RISKS SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO THE PUBLIC. •Inadequate access disrupts efficiency and productivity and is a barrier to accessing public services and information.INADEQUATE ACCESS TO WHAT ?THIS IS A POOR SENTENCE AND IS AMBIGUOUS IN MEANING. •Last mile infrastructure is often the most costly and difficult segment to deploy,especially for rural areas where distances from a central distribution point are greater and population density doesn’t economically promote the deployment. •Consistent and accurate service data is needed to provide a constantly improving network for the island.THE STATEMENT ‘PROVIDING A CONSTANTLY ‘IMPROVING NETWORK’CAN BE INTERPRETED TO REFERENCE THE INCREASINGLY INTENSE LEVELS OF SIGNAL BEING ESTABLISHED.5 G WHILE BRINGING HIGHER SPEED LEVELS OF DATA TRANSFER IS PROVING TO POSE A HEALTH RISK TO HUMAN TISSUE.THE REGULATION OF 5G TOWERS WITH CONSIDERATIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AN URGENT ISSUE.WE NOTE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ZENDO KERN HAS RECENTLY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES THAT WILL NOT STRINGENTLY ENFORCE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY. •Providers seeking to deploy broadband infrastructure face multiple layers of permitting and approvals at both the State and County level,in addition to community opposition regarding the installation of telecommunications towers.SEE ABOVE COMMENT.THIS REFLECTS AN INTENTIONAL DISREGARD FOR SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ARE WIDELY DOCUMENTED AND CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION. •Limited competition in broadband service providers and transpacific backhaul providers means high consumer rates due to a lack of competition within the market.(???THIS IS JARGON THAT ISN’T EXPLAINED ) General •Pursue creative funding and financing tools such as Community Facilities Districts (CFD)and Improvement Districts,for utility development,conversion,repair,operations,and maintenance. THIS NEEDS BETTER EXPLANATION.‘CREATIVE FUNDING’IS AN OBJECTIONABLE TERM AND SOUNDS LIKE A PROCESS FOR SELLING OFF UTILITIES OR FINANCING CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE SO EITHER WAY,THE PUBLIC WILL PAY MORE FOR UTILITIES. •Ensure that utility development matches desirable development priorities. •Streamline the process of utility infrastructure development to achieve the highest possible level of service for our communities. •Lead the charge in resource conservation and assess creative solutions to incentivize resource conservation for the public. •Prioritize the conversion and modernization of outdated utility systems and practices. •Use an integrated approach to value all water as a resource (e.g.,drinking water, wastewater,stormwater). •Collaborate with asset management (e.g.,road resurfacing and utility upgrades).ASSET MANAGEMENT IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. •Explore public-private partnership opportunities to create circular systems.ANOTHER VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED.PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS USUALLY IS ANOTHER WORD FOR INCREASING PUBLIC DEBT WHILE GIVING AWAY PUBLIC ASSETS TO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.THIS IS MORE FROM THE PAGES OF SOCIALISM AND WE REJECT IT. •Increase partnerships and enhance collaboration with government,private and nonprofit agencies,and other stakeholders.HERE ‘OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED.PLEASE DEFINE IT CLEARLY OR TAKE IT OUT ALTOGETHER. •Explore innovative ways to fund water infrastructure improvements to attract development that is consistent with desired density and the land use pattern.AGAIN A REFERENCE TO ‘DESIRED DENSITY AND LAND USE PATTERNS’THIS HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAMINED IN THE PLANNING DOCUMENT AND IS BEING REFERENCE HERE AS A STANDARD •Seek creative funding for significant expansion of water systems to reach new customers in non-service areas. •Promote and practice water conservation practices to maximize efficient water use. •Adopt One Water recommendations to standardize interagency collaboration in planning for and managing water resources. •Rainfall collection can provide additional water capacity even where we have Department of Water Supply (DWS)systems.NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. •Align the Water Use Development Plan,Master Plan,General Plan,DWS Capital Improvements Program (CIP),DWS guidelines,DWS water commitments,and private improvements to the DWS system.NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. •Exercise some controls over the permitted uses within the defined zone of influence for downstream deep well sources.IN THIS GENERAL PLANNING DOCUMENT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MENTION OF THE IMPACT OF MILITARY ON THE SOIL,WATER AND AIR QUALITY.HERE A REFERENCE TO POLLUTERS UPSTREAM OF WATER SOURCES AND YET MILITARY IS NOT MENTIONED?POHAKULOA MILITARY BASE CONTINUES TO LEASE FOR $1 AND CONDUCTS LIVE FIRE TRAINING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ISLAND’S VAST AQUIFER.IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN FACT THAT DEPLETED URANIUM HAS BEEN SCATTERED ONTO THE BASE AND CONTINUES TO BE DISTURBED BY MILITARY ACTIVITIES UP THERE. •Encourage groundwater recharge from regional scale master planning to on-site best management practices such as low-impact development (LID). •Increase opportunities for recycled water.THIS SHOULD BE ELABORATED SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A DIRECTIVE.THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO BE CONSULTED ON SUCH MATTERS. •Prioritize sewer for sensitive urban areas. •Proactively seek grant funding to assist with wastewater development.AGAIN STATING THAT REFERENCING OVER AND OVER THE NEED FOR ‘WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT’WHILE DEDICATING NO TIME AND EFFORT TO EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BIO REMEDIATION IS A MAJOR OMMISSION •Advocate for expanding cesspool conversion tax credit to all cesspool conversions.THESE ARE MAJOR COSTS BEING PASSED ON TO HOME OWNERS. •Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as those for technology upgrades and innovation.THE TERM ‘PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP’IS A TERM ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED DEBT FOR THE PUBLIC AND A REDUCTION (USUALLY)IN HARD ASSETS THAT ARE HANDED OVER TO CORPORATE PRIVATE INTERESTS. •Promote the expanded use of greywater for landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge via rules for new construction and retrofits •Advocate to the Department of Health (DOH)to adopt appropriately scaled requirements and standards and develop flexible guidelines for designing and permitting wastewater systems that meet environmental objectives. •Low-pressure systems should be prioritized for retrofitting instead of gravity flow.•Higher-density development can contribute more to a centralized system.HERE AGAIN WE SEE AN ASSERTION THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HIGHER DENSITY AND THIS LACKS PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND YET Drinking Water Wastewater 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 128 Stormwater Electricity &Energy Telecommunications &Broadband •Increase availability and access to information about private wastewater treatment plant capacities or expansion opportunities. •Prioritize resiliency measures that support climate change impact scenarios. •Regularly amend County codes to be as current and innovative as possible. •Be a leader in prioritizing green infrastructure over gray infrastructure. •Ensure that stormwater infrastructure decisions align with related plans and the CIP budget. •Green infrastructure practices may provide opportunities for creating or expanding industry. •Prioritize the use of native plants in landscaping. •Promote and support the development of alternative energy production facilities. •Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management.THIS STATEMENT WARRANTS ELABORATION OR IT DOESN’T BELONG IN THIS DOCUMENT. •Hawaiʻi Island has the highest renewable energy percentage in the State and can continue to support renewable energy projects to decarbonize our energy system and stabilize electricity costs. WHAT DOES ‘DECARBONIZE OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ACTUALLY MEAN ?ELECTRIC CARS ON THE ISLAND ARE CHARGED AT STATIONS THAT RELY ON POWER FROM DIESEL FUEL GENERATORS.IN OTHER WORDS ELECTRIC CARS REMAIN DEPENDENT ON THOSE FOSSIL FUELS BUT WE SEE OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROMOTING ELECTRIC CARS AS PART OF AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STRATEGY.THE NOTION OF ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ IS FEEDING A MYTH ABOUT HOW RAPIDLY ‘WE’CAN TRANSFORM OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.THE IDEA OF ‘DECARBONIZING’THE ENERGY SYSTEM IS VERY VERY RADICAL AND IS COMING FROM A SOCIALIST MYTH THAT CARBON (THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE)IS ‘BAD’AND THAT SOMEHOW ‘CARBON’IS THE CAUSE OF WEATHER EVENTS AND ‘CLIMATE CHANGE.’THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS A RADICAL AGENDA TO ‘DECARBONIZE’OUR ENTIRE ENERGY SYSTEM. FURTHER,SINCE THIS WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE DISRUPTION TO THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SINCE IT IS IMPLIED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE DISCOURAGED FROM MOVING ABOUT ‘FREELY’THIS IS A RADICAL OVERHAUL OF OUR ECONOMY WHICH IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE MANY PAINFUL SHOCKS TO INDIVIDUALS,OHANA AND COMMUNITIES.THIS IS ABOUT THE CLEAREST EXAMPLE OF ‘RECKLESS’ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. WHAT IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING ABOUT SEEING THE COUNTY DOCUMENT LINE UP SO CLOSELY WITH DECLARED GOALS OF AN ELITE INSTITUTION REPRESENTING THE WEALTHIEST 1%OF OUR PLANET (‘THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’)IS THAT THIS ORGANIZATION APPOINTED ITSELF AS THE CUSTODIANS AND ARBITERS OF A PLAN TO BRING IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHICH IS THE MOST RADICAL OF ALL THE TRANSITIONS AT ANY TIME IN HISTORY AND BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A SERIES OF CRISES:PANDEMIC DISEASE, ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’THAT APPEAR AS A CRISIS AND ALSO FOOD SHORTAGES IN PART CAUSED BY INTERFERENCE WITH SUPPLY CHAIN THAT BEGAN WITH LOCKDOWNS IN 2020.THE CATCH PHRASE BY WEF LEADER KLAUS SCHWAB AT THE TIME OF INTRODUCING ‘THE GREAT RESET’ WAS ‘BY 2030 YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY.’ WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO TERMS SUCH AS ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ BECAUSE THIS IMPLIES THAT YOU HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE PUBLIC A)TO ASSERT THAT CARBON IS A PROBLEM AS IF THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS TOPIC WHEN THERE IS NOT AND B)TO TAKE EXTREMELY RADICAL AND DANGEROUS STEPS TO TRANSITION THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Support the County’s Broadband Initiative and coordination with the State to facilitate digital equity efforts (e.g.,establishing broadband as a public utility,infrastructure deployment,providing training support,and coordinating funding strategies for broadband and telecommunication services).AFTER 5G THERE IS 6G COMING .WITH EACH OF THE INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN THE INTENSITY OF THE FREQUENCY ILLNESSES AND TISSUE DAMAGE RESULTS CONSISTENT WITH ‘RADIATION POISONING’.THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT TO REVIEW SAFETY INFORMATION AND TO TAKE AN APPROACH THAT HAS A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE.THIS IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. •Compact development and higher population densities where appropriate are favorable for commercial service providers as they contribute to more economically viable market conditions.WHICH ‘COMMERCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS’IS THIS REFERENCING ?THIS STATEMENT NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED BETTER OR ELSE REMOVED FROM THIS SECTION. •Providing consistent and accurate digital literacy data will promote a desirable level of service for all residents.WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY DATA AND HOW WILL THIS PROMOTE A DESIREABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE ?IS ‘DIGITAL LITERACY DATA’A CLASS OF INFORMATION THAT COMES WITH VIGILANT PROTECTION OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL;THEIR PRIVACY AND THEIR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ?WITHOUT PROTECTION OF THIS KIND,IF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS WAIVING ON THE INVASIVE DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES OF THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY,THEN IT MAY BE ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND.WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE PRIMACY OF SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE WRITTEN INTO THIS GENERAL PLAN.THERE IS A LOT OF DATA TO SUPPORT THAT WHEN THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPROMISED,THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENDANGERED AND TYRANNY WILL LIKELY RESULT. THESE ARE THE REASONS THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT IS FLAWED:WE DON’T SEE CARE TAKEN BY OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS’HEALTH AND SAFETY.. •Increasing digital inclusion efforts,which focus on ensuring both access to and ability to use a range of technologies,will contribute to better outcomes for health,public safety,economic opportunity,and civic participation.THE TERM ‘digital inclusion’IS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT MORE ACCESS TO 5G AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH IS A POSITIVE THING.THIS PREMISE IS WIDELY PROMOTED IN THIS POLICY DOCUMENT AND YET NO SAFETY STUDIES ARE CITED. •Streamlining permitting and approval processes will improve the efficiency of broadband and telecommunication development and delivery.THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF A LOOSE SET OF GUIDELINES FOR TOWER PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. •Pursue partnerships to develop public spaces with broadband access.THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF AN OBJECTIVE THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 129 4.3.2 Public Utilities Goal,Objective,Policies, and Actions Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure,utilities,and services based on existing and future growth needs,sound design principles,and effective maintenance practices. Objective 25 Improve the efficiency,reliability,and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. Policies ●25.1 Public utility facilities shall be designed at a scale that meets the needs of future development.IN THIS DOCUMENT SO FAR,THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT AN ACTUAL FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY,ON THE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT,HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CONSIDERED.WHY IS THERE AN EMPHASIS ON ‘FUTURE DEVELOPMENT’WITHOUT THE MAIN FOCUS BEING ECONOMIC GROWTH? ●25.2 Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and effectively serve the needs of the community. ●25.3 Utility facilities shall be designed to complement adjacent land uses and minimize pollution or disturbance of the natural environment and natural resources. ●25.4 Improvement of existing utility services shall be encouraged to meet the needs of users.THIS IS MEANINGLESS.WHY IS THIS SENTENCE NECESSARY ? ●25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS IDEOLOGY.IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT IT NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR WHAT IT IT:‘SMART CITY’ PROPAGANDA.STACK EM AND PACK EM HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE A PART OF THE PLAN AND THIS IS A RADICAL COMMUNIST AGENDA THAT WE REJECT. IT IS THROUGHOUT THIS DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING.THE SMART CITIES THAT ARE BEING DESIGNED GLOBALLY ARE ANOTHER REFLECTION OF WEF STATED GOALS TO CREATE URBAN CENTERS WHERE SURVEILLANCE AND CARBON MONITORING FORM THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CONFINING PEOPLE AND PREVENTING THEM FROM MOVING ABOUT FREELY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TRAITOROUS PROPOSAL TO FIND IN A DOCUMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERING TO OUR ISLAND A PLAN FOR OUR WELL BEING AS A COMMUNITY,FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH,AND FOR THE CARE OF OUR ‘AINA. ●25.6 Develop short-and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. ●25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. Actions 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 130 4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation The Hawaiʻi State Constitution provides that all public natural resources,including water,are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people.The State Constitution further maintains that “the State has an obligation to protect,control,and regulate the use of Hawaiʻi’s water resources for the benefit of its people.”Water availability is crucial to any type of development, whether urban,rural,or agricultural.Water availability is based on the sustainable yields of the groundwater hydrologic units established through the State Water Code.1 Land use allocation must be closely related to water availability,including the quantity and quality of the water,and the adequacy of the transmission and distribution system.The General Plan requires an understanding of water availability and capacity,current demands,and future demands based on planned and anticipated future growth and land uses.‘ The County’s Department of Water Supply (DWS)is the primary agency that manages,controls, and operates the water supplies of the County and its properties.There are 23 individual water systems distributed throughout the island.Water demand is directly related to population and industry usage and is expressed as gallons per day (gpd)or million gallons per day (mgd). Demand does not represent domestic consumption alone,but also includes all agricultural, industrial,and commercial uses,fire protection,and other uses.In some areas,however, non-domestic users are likely to create the major demand,and careful attention must therefore be given in any study of probable future water needs. In Hawaiʻi,there are a multitude of public agencies that are either actively tasked with regulating water resources or whose policies affect water use.There are also a number of private entities that use and manage water resources.Over the decades,water management has become segregated in a way that has created disjointed,mechanical approaches to a naturally continuous resource.The disconnection has included narrow perspectives that fail to see the larger picture.Hawaiʻi County aspires to achieve water resource management that is free from the limitations and issues of siloed practices,processes,agencies,and government bodies.Achieving a One Water approach in Hawaiʻi County includes actionable steps that can be adapted and adjusted to localize the One Water strategies. QUESTION :WHY IS A PRIVATE COMPANY BEING SOLD THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER IN HILO ?WHY ISN’T A PLANNING DOCUMENT CONCERNED WITH FUTURE WATER ACCESS CLEAR THAT NO WATER IS TO BE ‘SOLD’OR COMMERCIALIZED SINCE IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII? One Water One Water is a strategy that integrates the management of stormwater,wastewater,groundwater,sea water,freshwater,graywater,and recycled water to create resource and financial efficiencies.One Water will help the County of Hawaiʻi address climate change impacts by creating cross-agency coordination and advancing the capacity within agencies. ANY PREMISE USED TO CONTROL WATER ACCESS,WATER RIGHTS WHETHER BY A CORPORATION OR A GOVERNMENT MUST BE REJECTED.WATER IS AN INCREASINGLY PRIVATISED COMMODITY ACROSS THE WORLD.THIS SHOULD CONCERN US.IT ALREADY SEEMS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT ON THE ONE HAND APPLICANTS HAVE REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED VIA A COUNTY PERMITTING PROCESS TO PURCHASE THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER FROM OUR MAUNA KEA AQUIFER AND ON THE OTHER HAND THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE PROMOTING CONTROL OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN A CENTRALIZED FASHION INVOLVING MULTIPLE ‘UNDISCLOSED AGENCIES’ FURTHER,AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNTY OF HAWAII WILL ADDRESS ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS’WHEN THE VERY PREMISE OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY MULTIPLE LEADING AUTHORITIES AND IS THE SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY DUE TO THE LACK OF HARD EVIDENCE THAT ‘CARBON’IS THE CAUSE OF ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’AND ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’THAT APPEAR TO REPRESENT AN EMERGENCY. Objective 26 Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water. Policies ●26.1 All public water systems shall be designed and built to the DWS dedication standards.All other systems shall meet all relevant health and safety regulations and be designed and constructed by a licensed engineer. ●26.2 Water sources shall be protected to prevent depletion and contamination from natural and man-made occurrences or events. ●26.3 An effort by County,State,and private interests shall be coordinated to identify sources of additional water supply to be implemented and ensure the development of sufficient quantities of water for existing and future needs of high-growth areas and agricultural production. ●26.4 Installation or rehabilitation of water distributions shall be sized to adequately meet fire protection. ●26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. ●26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+units)in the North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,South Kona,and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation,recharge,and reuse measures to reduce the water footprint. ●26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. ●26.8 Water system improvements,including exploratory wells,shall correlate with the County's desired land use development pattern. ●26.9 The DWS shall prioritize infill development and focus source development to serve designated Urban Growth Areas. ●26.10 Waterdemandprojectionsshallincludeallconsumptiveandnon-consumptivedemands. ●26.11 TheDWSandthePlanningDepartmentshallcoordinateprioritiesbeforetheadoptionofanynew water development or County land use plans. ●26.12 AllCountypotablewatersystemsshouldhavebackupstandbysources. One Water ●26.13 Treat all water as a valuable resource in community design,and integrate designs for drinking water,stormwater,and recreational water needs.CONCERN:AN EXAMPLE OF YET MORE POORLY EXPRESSED LANGUAGE THAT SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE. WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘RECREATIONAL WATER NEEDS?’ ●26.14 Managewater,stormwater,andwastewaterasthesamenaturalresourceincollaborationwithth e DWS,DEM,DPW,and DOH. ●26.15 New developments should be designed to reduce water demand,retain runoff, decrease flooding,and recharge groundwater. ●26.16 Supportlocalized,small-scalesolutionstowaterreuseandon-sitesystems. Actions 26.a In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conduct further research on localized rainfall modeling to accurately assess future precipitation trends. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 132 ●26.b Expand water conservation programs,primarily aimed at reducing demand,such as leak detection,and rebates for low flow. ●26.c Evaluate and amend the fee schedule for water use to take into account high water use and aquifer recharge projections.Use the funds generated to pay for conservation measures and infrastructure. ●26.d Improve County water conservation practices to lead by example. ●26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield,present and future demand, alternative sources of water,guidelines,and policies for the issuing of water commitments. ●26.f Collaborate with the DOH to develop standards and/or guidelines for the construction and use of rainwater catchment systems to minimize the intrusion of any chemical and microbiological contaminants. ●26.g Promote the use of groundwater sources to meet DOH water quality standards. ●26.h Seek state and federal funds to assist in financing projects to bring the County into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. ●26.i Explore the feasibility of incentive methods such as property tax deductions, conservation easements,or transfer of development rights to protect the defined zone of influence of existing or proposed public and private wells.AGAIN THIS SEEMS TO REFER VAGUELY TO THE PRIVATISATION OF WATER AND CONVERSELY TO PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY CONSIDERED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.UNDER A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM ONE COULD EASILY EXPECT THAT A GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CRAFTING POLICY IN SUCH A WAY THAT TRANSFER OF PROPERTY FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FACILITATED. ●26.j Investigate alternative financing options for expanding water systems to support infill growth consistent with the County’s desired land use development pattern.AGAIN THIS IS A VAGUE REFERENCE WHEN THAT SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AMBIGUOUS AND THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES THE VALUE OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT. ●26.k Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders to develop,improve,and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. ●26.l Continue to participate in the United States Geological Survey (USGS)exploratory well drilling program. ●26.m Expand programs to provide agricultural irrigation water. One Water ●26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial,industrial,and residential properties. ●26.o Codify the administrative structure needed to develop a water resource program and interdepartmental collaboration framework. ●26.p Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders to develop and facilitate community partnerships between upstream and downstream communities. ●26.q Develop public-private partnerships to leverage funding sources. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 133 Table 35:Water System Standards Domestic Consumption Guidelines Zoning Designation Residential:Single-Family or Duplex Multi-Family Commercial Resort Light Industry Schools and Parks Agriculture •• Average Daily Demand 400 gals/unit 400 gals/unit 3000 gals/acre 400 gals/unit or 17,000 gal/acre 4000 gals/acre 4000 gals/acre or 60 gals/student 3400 gals/acre A unit,or,more precisely,one Equivalent Unit (EU)of water allows for an average daily usage of up to 400 gallons per day and a maximum daily usage of up to 600 gallons on any day but the average is still not allowed to exceed 400 gallons per day. One EU is typically served through a 5/8-inch meter and is considered adequate for a single-family home or dwelling and allows for some landscape or gardening usage. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 134 4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse The General Plan recognizes the significance of wastewater treatment and reuse as essential components of the County’s comprehensive water management strategy.Adequate sewer systems are vital to maintain public health and protect the environment.As communities generate wastewater through various sources such as residential,commercial,and industrial activities,effective treatment is necessary to remove harmful pollutants and contaminants before the water is discharged back into the environment.Improperly treated wastewater can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems,coastal waters,and freshwater resources, jeopardizing both human and ecological health. An adequate system minimizes contamination of both the groundwater supply and coastal waters,beaches,and waterborne recreational areas and is not a visual and odor nuisance. Land development plans for resort-residential complexes located in shoreline areas pose a potential water quality problem for adjacent near-shore waters.Adequate treatment facilities are essential prerequisites for development. HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT WITH NO REFERENCE TO BIO REMEDIATION AND WITH THE SHEER VOLUME OF HOUSEHOLDS OPERATING OFF GRID,THIS DOCUMENT IS CREATING ‘CRIME’OUT OF REGULAR HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS.THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A POLICY DIRECTIVE TO MANDATE/FORCE HOUSEHOLDS TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR RURAL ISLAND IS A VERY RECKLESS DIRECTION TO TAKE. REFER PREVIOUS COMMENTS 1)AN AUDIT SHOULD BE DONE OF THE CURRENT WASTEWATER DIVISION 2)ALTERNATIVE BIOREMEDIATION METHODS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FINDINGS PUBLISHED.MORE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IS NEEDED BEFORE THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE WOULD BE ADOPTED SINCE IT WILL LIKELY BRING GREAT FINANCIAL STRAIN TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS AND REQUIRE ONEROUS LEVELS OF ‘ENFORCEMENT.’ Wastewater reuse,also known as water recycling or reclaimed water,involves treating wastewater to a level suitable for non-potable uses.Reusing treated wastewater provides an opportunity to conserve precious freshwater resources and reduce the strain on existing water supplies.For Hawaiʻi Island,where freshwater resources are limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts,the implementation of wastewater reuse projects becomes vital for ensuring water sustainability.By implementing appropriate treatment processes,treated wastewater can be used for a range of purposes,including irrigation of agricultural lands,landscape irrigation, industrial processes,and groundwater recharge.This practice helps meet non-drinking water needs,reducing the reliance on freshwater sources for non-potable purposes and leaving more available for essential uses like drinking water.THERE IS NO MENTION HERE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MUST ACCOMPANY SUCH USES OF TREATED WASTEWATER. The County operates municipal sewerage in Hilo,Pāpaʻikou,Kapehu,Pepeʻekeo,Honokaʻa, Kealakehe,and Kaloko.The remaining communities are served by private wastewater treatment facilities or individual facilities,such as cesspools or septic tanks.In 2017,the Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed Act 125,mandating that all Hawaiʻi’s cesspools be replaced by 2050. Cesspools are substandard sewage disposal systems as they do not treat wastewater. According to the latest report on the Hawaiʻi Cesspool Hazard Assessment and Prioritization Tool,Hawaiʻi Island contains an estimated 48,596 cesspools.Sewerage disposal system designs must be examined with the particular region in mind.Of critical importance in an examination of sewerage disposal for a community is the cost of the system,including construction and operation costs.These costs vary with the characteristics of each area. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 legislated the protection of all aquifers or portions of aquifers currently serving as drinking water sources and any other aquifer capable of yielding consumable water.This mandate was based on a national concern for the quality of the groundwater and the increasing evidence of contamination of this valuable resource. In 1976,the State Legislature enacted Act 84,relating to safe drinking water,which requires the State Department of Health (DOH)to establish an underground injection control program to protect the quality of the State’s underground sources of drinking water.Because of the importance ofgroundwater as a source of municipal water supplies,the underground injection control program is considered a beneficial approach in the identification of aquifers that should be protected from subsurface disposal of wastewater through injection wells. HERE AGAIN THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE PRIMARY POLLUTER OF THE AQUIFER : THE MILITARY BASE ON POHAKULOA.THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF TESTING WATER QUALITY AND TESTING FOR CONTAMINANTS.THIS IS ANOTHER DIVISION OF OUR COUNTY THAT SHOULD BE AUDITED.WHY IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT A MILITARY POTENTIAL ‘SUPER FUND SITE’OPERATING ABOVE A PRISTINE AQUIFER? The protection of these aquifers is established by designating areas currently being used or will be used in the future for drinking water supply.The Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW)will be protected from pollution by prohibiting the construction of new injection wells that may pollute the USDW.Injection wells are allowed in exempted areas.The boundary lines between the USDW and the exempted areas have been developed.**PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION OR ELSE TAKE OUT THIS EXEMPTION REFERENCE.THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE BETTER INFORMED UPON READING THIS PLAN,NOT LEFT IN THE DARK TO WONDER .Under Chapter 62,Wastewater Systems,the DOH adopted a 1,000-foot setback of wastewater systems from all public drinking water wells and springs. In compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92-500),the DOH and the County jointly prepared the Water Quality Management Plan for Hawaiʻi County in 1978 and subsequently updated the plan in 1980.In 1979,the County Council adopted the plan through a resolution to serve as the planning guide for the development of regional waste treatment systems and the control of non-point sources of pollution.To implement the management plan,the County has prepared facility plans for various areas on the island.Facility plans are developed by the County to satisfy a requirement for the application of loans from the State to develop wastewater treatment facilities.The facility plans identify problems,potential solutions,and costs. In 1985,the State Legislature enacted Act 282,Relating to Environmental Quality,which reassigns the County,effective July 1,1987,or upon receipt of State funds,to assume complete administration and implementation for the regulation of sewerage and wastewater treatment system programs. Source:Hawaiʻi News Now (2022). 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 136 Objective 27 Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality. Policies ●27.1 A Sewerage Study for All Urban Areas,including appropriate water quality management strategies,shall be completed and used as guides for the general planning of sewerage disposal systems. ●27.2 Private treatment systems shall be installed by land developers for major resorts and other developments along shorelines and sensitive higher inland areas,except where connection to nearby treatment facilities is feasible and compatible with the County’s long-range plans,and in conformance with State and County requirements. ●27.3 Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant sites,sewerage pump station sites,and sewer easements according to the facility plans to facilitate their acquisition. ●27.4 The County shall obtain State and Federal funds to finance the construction of proposed sewer systems and improve existing systems. ●27.5 Plans for wastewater reclamation and reuse for irrigation and biosolids composting (remaining solids from the treatment of wastewater are processed into a reusable organic material)shall be utilized where topographically feasible and needed for landscaping,agricultural purposes,or fire protection. Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ●27.6 Pollution shall be prevented,abated,and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal, State,and County standards. ●27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas (UGA)with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. ●27.8 The Department of Environmental Management and the Planning Department shall coordinate priorities before the adoption of any new wastewater development or land use plans. ●27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion, improvements,and new development. ●27.10 Ensurewastewaterfeesreflectactualcostsforservice,maintenance,andfutureimprovements. ●27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies,prevent accidental leaks or spills,and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting natural resources. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ●27.12 Striveforanintegratedapproachtostormwaterandwastewater,andwaterresourcemanageme nt that is comprehensive and as efficient as possible. ●27.13 Encourageon-sitewaterreusesolutionsforlargedevelopments. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 137 27.14 Encourageandincentivizethecollectionofrainfallfornon-potableuse. 27.15 PrioritizetheuseofgraywaterinareasconnectedtoCountywaterandnotconnectedtoCounty wastewater. Actions Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ●27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. ●27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district (CFD)or tax increment financing (TIF)to aid in implementation. ●27.c Review,assess,and amend Codes relating to sewer connection requirements to ensure wastewater issues and requirements are addressed in a consistent,sustainable, and socially equitable way. ●27.d Develop a wastewater master plan with a clear prioritization method for wastewater system expansions and improvements based on criteria involving land use,projected growth,social equity,and environmental factors. ●27.e Develop plans to improve,connect,or develop new wastewater systems in unsewered urban coastal communities. ●27.f Perform a study to assess individual wastewater systems (IWS)in unsewered urban growth areas to assess the rate of failures/negative impacts,determine rates of large capacity cesspools still in use,and develop plans to improve,connect,or develop new wastewater systems for unsewered urban communities. ●27.g Proactively seek opportunities for public-private partnerships for wastewater collection and treatment development. ●27.h Facilitate the use of infrastructure improvement districts and other types of localized funding mechanisms to fund improvements. ●27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. ●27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water model fee structure). ●27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems.Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries,urban zoning and density,population trends and anticipated growth, health/safety,and environmental factors. ●27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. ●27.m Amend the County Code,Section 21-26-1(a)requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council”to read,“all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” REFERRING AGAIN TO CONCERNS THAT THIS IS AN UNFEASIBLE COST TO REGULAR HOUSEHOLDS.THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING POLICY DIRECTIVE AND AS ACKNOWLEDGED HERE,MORE STUDIES WOULD BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING SUCH POLICIES..SO WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS EMPHASIS IN THE GENERAL PLAN ? 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 138 ●27.n In collaboration with the DOH Wastewater Branch,reevaluate and clarify the requirements set forth in Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR),Section 11-62-31.1(a)(1) (B)and amend County sewer requirements accordingly to accommodate needed housing units. ●27.o Collaborate with the DOH to advance progressive wastewater technology and regulations. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ●27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture,develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. ●27.q Install non-potable systems,such as reclaimed wastewater,brackish groundwater, and untreated surface water in proximity to priority UGAs for non-potable water uses. ●27.r Conduct supply and demand studies to determine a level of service for non-potable water needs. ●27.s Facilitate greywater reuse systems through code amendments and through partnering with DOH for regulatory changes and incentives. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 139 4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure Stormwater management and the implementation of green infrastructure are critical elements of the General Plan for their vital role in sustainability on Hawaiʻi Island.As an island ecosystem with limited freshwater resources and vulnerable coastal areas,managing stormwater effectively and integrating green infrastructure practices are essential for preserving our water resources and ensuring environmental sustainability. Stormwater refers to the runoff from precipitation that flows over land surfaces,eventually entering water bodies such as streams,rivers,and oceans.Stormwater is a crucial element of the island’s overall water landscape.While precipitation may be an obvious contributor to stormwater,all the phases of the hydrologic cycle are related to stormwater and are influenced by public utility decisions made in the built environment.Precipitation and surface runoff are often the phases of the hydrologic cycle that people recognize as stormwater,whereas evaporation,transpiration,and condensation are not as easily observed processes. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can lead to various detrimental effects on water resources and ecosystems.Polluted runoff,also known as nonpoint source pollution,from agriculture,urban development,forestry,recreational boating,marinas,and hydromodification activities is the leading cause of water pollution in waters across the country and in Hawaiʻi.Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can also lead to localized flooding,causing damage to infrastructure,property, and even loss of life.Implementing stormwater management strategies helps to control the flow of stormwater,reducing the risk of flooding and associated hazards.Moreover,excessive stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion,leading to the loss of fertile topsoil,sedimentation in water bodies,and degradation of natural habitats.Proper stormwater management practices, including erosion control measures, help minimize erosion and preserve the island’s natural resources. Stormwater is a prime example of the unavoidable connections that exist between the built environment and the natural environment.Increasing the opportunities for infiltration and transpiration can reduce the amount of evaporation that surface runoff requires.The social, environmental,and economic impacts of stormwater infrastructure have meaningful implications for our overall island sustainability as water is one of the most precious resources. Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering efficiency in conveying stormwater runoff using impervious surfaces (e.g.,paved swales,channelized streams)must be balanced against environmental considerations.If the drainage is directed to streams,excessive freshwater volumes and sediment loads may impact coastal water resources (e.g.,degrade water quality and smother coral reefs).If the drainage is directed to injection wells,more studies are needed to determine the impact of storm runoff on groundwater quality.Sediment basins,wetlands,or less impervious methods of conveyance (e.g.,grass swales)should be considered where feasible to reduce nonpoint source pollution of the coastal waters from stormwater runoff and filter infiltrating water. Green infrastructure refers to the network of natural or engineered features that manage stormwater while providing additional benefits to the environment and community.Such features may include rain gardens,permeable pavement,bioswales,and vegetated buffers.Green infrastructure is crucial for stormwater management,as it captures and absorbs runoff,reducing the volume and rate of runoff.By mimicking natural hydrological processes like sediment filtration and bioremediation,it helps to recharge groundwater,replenish streams,and 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 140 reduce stress on our water resources during periods of heavy rainfall. CONCERN:HERE AT LEAST WE SEE REFERENCES TO BIOREMEDIATION.WHY IS THIS ‘ACCEPTABLE’AS A STRATEGY WHERE TREATMENT OF WATER RUN OFF IS CONCERNED BUT NEVER ENTERTAINED IN THE MATTER OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT (A ‘SOLUTION’AND POLICY DIRECTIVE HERE WHICH THREATENS TO BE COST PROHIBITIVE TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS?) By retaining and infiltrating stormwater,green infrastructure reduces the reliance on freshwater sources for irrigation,thus conserving water resources.This is particularly important for our island communities where freshwater availability is limited.Green infrastructure features may also provide habitats for native plants and wildlife.They contribute to biodiversity conservation and help restore and enhance Hawaiʻi Island’s natural ecosystems.Green infrastructure plays a key part in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, moderating temperatures,and increasing resilience to extreme weather events.These measures align with the County’s sustainability goals and efforts to adapt to climate change. 4.3 Public Utilities |County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 141 Page 166 34.15 Encourage the expansion of digital access and equity through the resilient buildout of broadband infrastructure and facilities.Does this take into account the safety of 5G+?Is this to facilitate surveillance of citizens in the future? Page167 34.a Implement a Safe Route to School (SR2S)program for all schools.Will surveillance be implemented to ensure safety? Page169 4.4.6 Recreation Housing developers should not bear a disproportionate burden,or be forced to contribute more than their fair share,as inequitable requirements could deter needed housing development.This proviso seems to favor developers. Page171 35.a Provide funding for planning and acquisition,if necessary,of key corridor segments after corridor-zone plans are adopted.Does this preclude the rezoning and acquisition of private property? 35.k Maintain an on-going program of identification,designation,and acquisition of areas with existing or potential recreational resources,such as land with sandy beaches and other prime areas for shoreline recreation in collaboration with government,private and non profit agencies, and other stakeholders.Please include private property owners in your definition of stakeholders. Page 175 4.4.7 Encouraging the establishment of farmers’markets,community gardens,and a range of agricultural activities can promote local food production and improve access to fresh nutritious food.Please include home gardens. Page 177 36.g Support the distribution of telehealth support services,particularly to unserved and underserved communities.Encourage instead person to person contact. 36.j Amend the County Code to designate a lead agency for coordinating and responding to outbreaks of life-threatening,highly communicable diseases pursuant to the DOH direction. While ensuring the statues of the Nuremberg Code are observed. Page 179 4.5.1 Blueprint for the creation of a 15 minute island,clustering us together in “a centralized, higher-density urban infill,supported by nearby,accessible public and private services and facilities.” Page 181 Under Housing Challenges Targets:“Homeownership for investment purposes that are kept vacant or used for transient accommodation rentals reduces available stock for long term resident ownership and rental opportunities.” Prohibits and discourages the rights of private ownership. Page 182 37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UBG)should be prioritized for residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside the UBG are converted into urban uses. With the consent of property owner should be included. Page183 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. 38.a Perform existing housing inventory data analysis to identify structural conditions and needs for rehabilitation or demotion. Both justify the necessity of more surveillance of the community.38.a also precludes the private property owner’s rights and opinions.Take this out or revise. Page 184 39.5 Allow for and apply property tax and land use regulations to incentivize private property owners to provide affordable housing units in mix-use and urban areas and to discentivize the land banking of unimproved properties. In other words land use regulations and property tax hikes will be weaponized against the private property owner.TAke this out or revise! Page185 Table 40:Additional Infrastructure -Provide adequate broadband without invading people’s privacy. Ensuring future surveillance capabilities? Page188 40.8 Require all County Departments to collaborate with the County Office of Sustainability, Climate,Equity,and Resilience (OSCER)as the lead agency to ensure the integration of the County’s goals of sustainability,climate resilience,and equity into all county operations and planning initiatives. To whom does OSCER answer?Who’s watching the watchdog? THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023.IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC AS AN AGENCY THAT COULD ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE GRANTED EXTRA POWERS AS AN ADMIINISTRATIVE ARM OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO THE LANGUAGE ‘REQUIRING’‘ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS’TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSCER. THE COUNTY’S ‘GOALS’OF sustainability,climate resilience,and equity HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY DEBATED IN OUR COMMUNITY .WE CHALLENGE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS MATTER AND WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE OSCER ‘AGENCY’TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE ABOVE.WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO STAGE A FULL PUBLIC REVIEW OF BOTH SETS OF DATA AND BOTH ARGUMENTS THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE CRISIS CAUSED BY CARBON THE ‘Office of Sustainability,Climate,Equity,and Resilience (OSCER)’BEGINS WITH A FLAWED AND DISPUTED PREMISE THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE ‘CRISIS’AND THAT THE OTHER 3 ‘PILLARS’OF THE ORGANIZATION (SUSTAINABILITY,EQUITY AND RESILLIENCE)BELONG TOGETHER AS PART OF A ‘SOLUTION.’ WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘SUSTAINABILITY’IS THAT THIS WORD LEADS THE IDENTICAL AGENDAS OF CONTROLLING LAND USE,WATER RIGHTS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACE,THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL,FARMING AND PASTURING OF ANIMALS AND FOOD SECURITY.THESE BUZZWORDS ARE COMING FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND THE UNITED NATIONS.ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION AND ‘NET ZERO’PROMOTE A DANGEROUS AGENDA OF OVERRIDING SOVEREIGN HOME RULE LOCAL COUNTIES AND STATES AND REPLACING WITH ‘GLOBAL AGENDAS’WHICH ARE BRINGING IN ‘COMMUNIST’VALUES AND SYSTEMS OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DESTRUCTION OF SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSETS. WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘EQUITY’IS THAT IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING A WAY OF WAVING ON A COMMUNIST STYLE OF ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS WHICH PROMOTES LARGER PORTION OF THE POPULATION BEING ON WELFARE AND DIVERSITY HIRE PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE MEDIOCRITY AND NOT MERITOCRACY. THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ALSO HAS COME TO BE ANOTHER ‘BUZZ WORD’THAT IS A RATIONALE FOR THE CATCH PHRASE ‘BUILD BACK BETTER’AND THE IDEA THAT MORE RIGOROUS BUILDING CODES,MORE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE BUILDING COSTS AND INSURANCE COSTS WILL FOLLOW IN THE AFTERMATH OF EACH ‘DISASTER.’ ELSEWHERE IN THIS DOCUMENT THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE PREMISE THAT THE RECENT FIRE IN LAHAINA WAS ‘NORMAL’AND THAT THE RESULTING LOCKDOWNS AND FAILURE OF GREEN ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS TO REBUILD ARE ALSO ‘NORMAL.’TO THE CONTRARY,WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN LAHAINA FOR THE PAST 13 MONTHS EXEMPLIFIES THE WAY THAT THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’HAS COME TO MEAN ‘CONTROL OF A POPULATION AFTER A DISASTER TO THE POINT THAT MANY WILL BE DISPLACED AND WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE THE AREA,FINDING NO WAY TO REBUILD AND RESTORE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOOODS.’ Page194 Resulting in Longer Commutes:There are notable mismatches between locations of high population and job centers. Further justification for clustering in population centers.Further policy directive to justify curtailing personal independent transportation options.This again is objectionable and shows contempt for a fundamental constitutional right and as such has no place in a policy document published by this County Administration. Page 196 Table 43:Economic Opportunities /General Increase broadband infrastructure to provide opportunities for participation in the digital economy while allowing for other economic alternatives. CBDC’s here we come! Page 206 46.i Partner with government,private and non profit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders for carrying capacity studies of fisheries and the establishment of State community-based subsistence fishing areas. More restrictions on fishing rights.Oddly in 5.3 Agriculture and Food Systems there is no mention at all of hunting and gathering. Page 210 Wahi Pana Need assurances our wahi pana and other natural assets will be protected from commodification and collateralization. Page 213 49.1 [Encourage the][i]ntegrat[ion][of]ʻāina-place-based values 49.2 [Encourage]the accessibility 49.3 [Promote]a visitor industry 49.5 [Encourage]regenerative tourism efforts 49.6 [Foster]initiatives and improve[d]efforts 49.h and farmers,homeowners,and other residents to develop and support place-based educational programs COMMENT:FINALLY HERE IS A DIRECTIVE THAT SPEAKS TO SUPPORTING THE EXISTING ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE ON THIS ISLAND.THE FACT THAT THIS IS SHOWING UP ON PAGE 214 SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ANYONE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS SUPPOSED TO GUIDE THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE.THE OPENING SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE EXISTING CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF THE ISLAND.THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT AND HELP GROW IN THIS AREA WOULD BE ALL Page 215 6.1 para 2 presenting [residents a true voice]for the future of Hawaii Island. 1 [where citizens collaborate with the County to effect change consistent with plans developed under this chapter.] 3 Ensure consistency among the General Plan and respective regional plans [What are regional plans?] 4 set forth in the General Plan’s [Should this be plural or possessive?] 5 Establish an implementation system that is based on county-wide,regional,and agency levels [What are regional and agency levels?] Page 216 Top para by promoting [economic]growth, 2nd para collaboration among various [residents] “Key areas of focus include fostering [understanding of the role of government in] ensuring community engagement and input,securing funding,and coordinating priorities. Page217 6.2.1 Para 1 Community Development Plan Framework During the General Plan Comprehensive Review process,existing community plans were used to guide the CDP framework.From the adoption of the Kona,Puna,North and South Kohala CDPs in 2008,Kaʻū CDP in 2017,and Hāmākua CDP in 2018,there has been much to learn and grow from as we look to the future.The General Plan also benefited from years of collective participation in CDP implementation efforts through regional committees that implement their respective CDP.[NOTE:Hilo was not included in this CFP framework.Although there had been Hilo meetings in the past that dealt with some issues contained in the General Plan,no mechanism was put in place that paralleled the multi-year single-purpose work that was undertaken in the other six districts.] Para 2 To build on these lessons learned,future CDPs[,which it is hoped will include a CDP for Hilo,]shall be drafted The purpose of a CDP is threefold: 3.Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue [through open-forum townhalls where vigorous question-answer format is primary,eliciting the priorities of the community.] Page 218 6.Social Capital and Community Network Mapping During the process of reviewing a Community Development Plan,instances where community needs are not met may be identified.Examples of this may include a need for community gathering spaces such as parks or recreation hubs.Community Development Plans may identify such needs and outline a plan of action for community members and other [Hawaii Island residents]to coordinate efforts,combine and collect resources,and connect public and private sector agents to advocate for such enhancements to their community.[In the case of Hilo,where a CDP was never initiated by the Planning Department,an examination of why this was neglected must be addressed,for the purpose of getting input from this district even though the General Plan may have been already implemented.This could be accomplished through addendums to the General Plan at future dates.] Page 224 6.4.3 Para 1 The General Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide [innovative] development patterns,[and provide assistance toward]future opportunities and public investments. Para 3 The tables are intended to provide a clear and concise reference for agencies, policymakers,communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents Page 225 Table 45 Climate change,carbon footprint,net zero,GHG emissions,green infrastructure projects, climate adaptation The above terms,taken from Table 45,derive from the United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development,inaugurated in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Residents of Hawaii Island have never had the opportunity to engage in discussions in every town,using every venue,to discuss the entire subject of climate change.It is a foundational subject,as it is the substrate upon which so much of the General Plan is predicated.It is un-Democratic to simply take ideas from other places and cement them into the plans we make for our own people,our own land,our own island,without engaging in an unhurried,full-blown examination of this agenda,neighbor with neighbor.Until such time as this takes place,we must place this draft of a General Plan on hold. Table 46 Objectives 13.Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. As above,SMART is an acronym taken from the World Economic Forum that pertains to Internet-Of-Things technology.Its purpose is linkage of devices for the purpose of control and monitoring.No island-wide discussion has taken place as to the merits of SMART GROWTH. Again,it is a concept from far away,irreversible once implemented,without so much as a real attempt to inform residents.How can a General Plan proceed on concepts alien to the people? Table 47 21.[Engineer infrastructure]to reduce stormwater runoff. Page 227 Table 48 25.Improve the efficiency and reliability,and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. 28.Increase green infrastructure practices. Example Indicators Annual funding allocated for [efficient]infrastructure initiatives Percentage of new development projects including [efficient]infrastructure elements Table 49 Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure P232 6.4.4 1.a Seek [procedure]to support wetland identification and assessments. 1.j Identify partners and [S]upport a public awareness and education campaign to elevate recognition of the value of urban trees as essential infrastructure. 3.b Create special (business)improvement districts to engage in environmental research, restoration and maintenance,natural resource management,climate change or sea level rise adaptation or other purposes to improve environmental conditions and provide community benefit. 4.a [Seek Hawaii Island residents and groups]to maintain and steward the preservation of sites, buildings,objects,and landscapes of significant cultural and historical importance. 4.c Support the identification of Heritage Landscapes,Corridors,Areas,and Centers. Heritage designation is UNESCO.It is crucial that Hawaii Island maintain control of its lands and natural resources,free of encumbrances of global organizations 4.h [Foment discussion among]government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders farmers,homeowners,and other residents 4.i private and nonprofit agencies,communities,and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners,and other residents Table 54:Climate Change [Delete Table 54:Climate Change has not been debated across Hawaii County in a systematic way.Such a debate would entail townhall presentations by each side,allowing all the time necessary to absorb the decades of information circulating through media and academia.At some later time,these information-gathering events could then be followed by public open debates.Hawaii Island residents at that juncture would then be ready to decide whether they wished to premise all future growth on the notion of Climate Change,or reject it as unscientific.] 240 Table 56 Transportation Access and Mobility 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance.[Complete Streets derives from Agenda 21’s SMART Cities designation.It has nothing to do with residents of Hawaii Island,until such time as they can be apprised of the overall design of Agenda 21,as it entails constricting traffic,expanding bike lanes and bus routes,installing islands -many changes that may or may not be workable. Hilo and Kona have very different requirements,and a cookie-cutter approach levels differences.Just because it is recommended by a national or international association does not mean it is suitable here.Again,it must be thoroughly discussed across the island before a decision can be made.] 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles.[Vision Zero,as stated above with Complete Streets,is an internationally utilized approach to pedestrian safety that first needs a full discussion here to see to what extent it is workable,if at all.] 243-255 27.d social equity,[No relevance to this category] 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for [strategies]for wastewater collection and treatment development. 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low impact development. 28.f Create a green infrastructure dedication standard. 28.l Identify County parks and recreation,rights-of-way,and other County owned sites for green infrastructure demonstration projects 29.a Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers, homeowners,and other residents for the research and development of alternative/renewable energy resources. 30.d Collaborate with government,private and nonprofit agencies,communities and other [Hawaii Island residents] 30.i [Encourage private]funding for broadband initiatives and deployments. 30.m Foster [private investments]to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, 32.c Review county lighting and landscaping ordinances to implement CPTED.CPTED is a component of a SMART City that watches,listens,announces,tracks,records.It is a creation of Agenda 21 and the WEF and the UN.It must be rejected by the residents of Hawaii Island unless/until it is thoroughly discussed and debated. 32.p This point to be deleted [In light of the controversy in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire,to be formulating a redevelopment plan,IN ADVANCE of an incident,creates a climate of distrust and anger.This subject must be handled very carefully in discussions with groups and individuals across the island.] 35.c Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.d Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.i government,private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 35.k private and nonprofit agencies,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 36.d communities,and other farmers,homeowners,and other residents 36.f communities,and other farmers,homeowners,and other residents Page 254 45.k Partner with government (e.g.,DOT,DBEDT,etc.),private and nonprofit agencies, communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents to monitor 45.l Partner with government,private and nonprofit agencies (e.g.,business associations, realtors,chambers of commerce,etc.),communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents 45.m expand the research and development industry for [innovative]economic development. 46.i private and nonprofit agencies,communities,farmers,homeowners,and other residents From:CATHERINE GARCIA To:WPCtestimony Subject:reschedule Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 2:52:23 PM Chair, Please reschedule the GP public testimony meetings in January, Thanks From:Dawn Barnett To:WPCtestimony Subject:Please reschedule the GP public testimony meetings in January Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 12:30:42 PM Please reschedule the GP public testimony meetings in January. Thank you DawnPO Box 1078 Kapaau, Hi 96755 From:Donald To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 7:24:27 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! 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. 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. 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. 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD- 241023.pdf 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. 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. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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! 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_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad408 31c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae9 49a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a72 4eee8304.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: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415 f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c02 07bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Don Noguchi From:sharkgss To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Cc:Kimball, HeatherSubject:Testimony for General Plan 2045 for 19 December - NEEDS FULL OVERHAUL due to serious unaddressed issues Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 7:29:20 PM Aloha, I have provided extensive written testimony numerous times and commented on the general plan online along with many others that have emphasized thisplan needs a complete overhaul to meet the needs of the community. This plan is based off a template handed down thru the United Nations Agenda 21.This document is a good overview to educate county planning and legislative officials on AGENDA 21 and should be mandatory reading. https://nwri.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/How-Public-Officials-can-Recognize-Agenda-21.pdf The original version in 2005 plan contains the words "homeowner" and "farmer" while the 2045 plan is written by and for "stakeholders!" This is outrageous and the words "homeowner" and "farmer" do not appear anywhere! "Farmer" is in the 2005 General Plan fourteen (14) times and "homeowner" appears four (4) times. Below are just a few things that need addressing: 1. The State and County ARE corporations and have no right to acquire land. The proposed re-zoning is excessive overreach for the benefit of stakeholders and will affect landowners tremendously. This will open up the county for massive legal recourse that will tie up county resources for many years. 2. Remove reference to climate change caused by humans, this is unproven and junk science (see additional resources below). This includes removing references to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Carbon dioxide sequestration is a really really stupid idea, waste of tax payer funds and energy, and will further degrade our flora and fauna. 3. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because State and County corporations are not acting on behalf of its residents and clearly acting on behalf of stakeholders. 4. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "land owner" or "farmer/rancher". 5. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the egregious concept of "smart" cities. 6. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 7. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED and it is a waste of resources. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed General Plan the citizens can work directly with the county. 8. The governments intention for "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land and water catchment is in direct violation of privacy rights. 9. Add language for safeguarding against the danger of emerging technology, including 5G. Language needs to be drafted regarding technology easements based on health studies conducted by 3rd party with no conflict of interest. 10. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 11. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 12. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 13. There is no clear plan for strengthening infrastructure and power grid against space weather. 14. The document contains no explanation how the county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications) due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been diligently preparing for due to weakening magnetosphere (see additional resources below). 15. Include language to ban "man made" weather modification, spraying of nano particulate in the atmosphere, and geoengineering activities that have a significant impact on health, property, and the environment. 16. Include language against harmful chemicals, pesticides such as glyphosate, and genetically altered organisms (including vectors of disease) from being released into the environment. 17. Implement severe restrictions for artificial intelligence data centers proposed by "stakeholders" that will drain the power grid. 18. Implement provisions regarding military training and operations that are transparent and safe for the environment. Depleted uranium dropped in the Saddle Region next to an active Volcano is NOT acceptable whatsoever, nor is excessive underground explosions that have been going on for years that parallel training operations at Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA). 19. Developers should not be granted relief from requirements for sidewalks, bike lanes, etc... a dedicated bike lane should be implemented on all major roads. 20. Include information on the drawbacks of electric vehicles to include draw on the grid, disposal of batteries, and fire dangers. Climate Mitigation Basis for Plan is Unfounded A great deal of content is based on Climate Mitigation from human activity which has a minuscule effect on the earth's overall climate. Over 99% of the climate affects are driven by solar activity, cycles, and space weather. The document completely fails to mention the threat of space weather and is almost entirely focused on carbon emissions promoted by the United Nations Climate Agenda. Our Federal Government has been preparing for space weather threats for many years, yet the Hawai'i island GP lacks any reference to this even though critical infrastructure (energy, communications, transportation, and supply chain) is at risk due to increased solar radiation from our weakening magnetosphere. In 2015 the magnetosphere was down by 40% according to this Federal Doc. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1040918#:~:text=The%20research%20evaluates%20the%20impacts,reversals%20and%20adverse%20space%20weather In October of 2016 President Obama issued the following executive order Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events - Executive order 13744 (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-201600692 ) Section 1. Policy. Space weather events, in the form of solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances, occur regularly, some with measurable effects on critical infrastructure systems and technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations and communication, aviation, and the electrical power grid. Extreme space weather events—those that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure—could disable large portions of the electrical power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare, and transportation. Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector. It is the policy of the United States to prepare for space weather events to minimize the extent of economic loss and human hardship. The Federal Government must have (1) the capability to predict and detect a space weather event, (2) the plans and programs necessary to alert the public and private sectors to enable mitigating actions for an impending space weather event, (3) the protection and mitigation plans, protocols, and standards required to reduce risks to critical infrastructure prior to and during a credible threat, and (4) the ability to respond to and recover from the effects of space weather. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate their efforts to prepare for the effects of space weather events. Sec. 2. Objectives. This order defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather. These activities are to be implemented in conjunction with those identified in the 2015 National Space Weather Action Plan and any subsequent updates. Implementing this order and the Action Plan will require the Federal Government to work across agencies and to develop, as appropriate, enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; academia; non- profits; the private sector; and international partners. These efforts will enhance national preparedness and speed the creation of a space- weather-ready Nation. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events In October 2016 (about 10 days before the above executive order was signed) the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers.This was a massive exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. A spokesman said in a statement: “The main goal of the drill is to practice organization of management during civil defense events and emergency and fire management, to check preparedness of management bodies and forces of civil defense on all levels to respond to natural and man-made disasters and to take civil defense measures.” https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Resources Weather Modification/Geoengineering Man made geoengineering is an operation primarily used to block out solar radiation and create, distribute, and deflect weather systems. Its use over many decades is outside the scope of public knowledge and having significant impacts on our environment/weather to include increased super storms, fires, flooding, droughts, and causing very high levels of aluminum in the soil and tissue samples of all mammals. I personally have tested hundreds of humans and animals and seen very high levels in all hair analysis tests. This is why Monsanto developed aluminum resistant seeds, soil in North America is testing 40,000 times higher rates of aluminum in the last 2 decades. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ Tennessee and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills to ban this practice. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/03/20/tennessee-senate-passes-bill-banning-chemtrails-what-to-know/73027586007/ Maui county council passed a bill in 2010 to ban geoengineering and this link explains how it is being used to lessen the effects of solar radiation. There has been no public oversight or consent to these projects. http://mauiskywatch.org/info-official-reports/ It is clear based on the above information the governments of the world are preparing for space weather effects due to the weakening magnetic field, therefore it is critical that the county review and adopt their own contingency plan. Hawaii county should implement a ban on geoengineering before soil is too toxic with aluminum and when combined with glyphosate it can cross the blood brain barrier and render our soils inert due. These issues are being brought to your attention as a big picture, there are many other concerns that need addressing that have been provided in previous testimony. The GP is a disaster for our environment since it fails to address some of the most critical issues, instead it is abundantly clear it is being used a control mechanism over free men and women designed to consolidate power to the hands of the stakeholders. GP as it stands has no place in Hawaii or anywhere else in the world and will ultimately fail. Mahalo for your service, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI . Sent with Proton Mail secure email. From:Elena Sims To:WPCtestimony Subject:Reschedule Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1:54:28 PM Please reschedule the GP meetings In January! Our concerns matter! For the future generations! Sent from my iPhone From:Jill Burbary To:Chang, Kelsie Cc:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; michelle@blossominnerwellness.com; Eric S. West Subject:Re: 12/19/24 LPC General Plan Review Meeting – Zoom Testimony Confirmation Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 3:20:40 PM Attachments:image001.png Hi Kelsie - I was hoping to testify tomorrow to ask that you reinstate the General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony meetings for January. The cancelation of those meetings does not support the voice of the people. Ideally, we want the Planning Commission to put those meetings back on the calendar/agenda for January, so we can share public testimony. Those affected have suffered far too long. Without politics, hidden agendas, and red tape, the affected residents and businesses would be in the building stage at this point in time. Please help them by putting the GP 2045 back on the agenda. Since I am unable to attend the meeting, can you share this email at the meeting so it is on record? Kind regards, Jill Burbary 303-810-3207 On Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 05:43:50 PM MST, Chang, Kelsie <kelsie.chang@hawaiicounty.gov> wrote: Hi – Thank you for registering for the upcoming Continued LPC General Plan Review Meeting. According to the registration report, I have you listed as a participant who has registered to watch the meeting and not provide any testimony. I’d would like to confirm if you plan to provide testimony during the meeting. If you do intend to speak, please let me know for which agenda item. Thank you, Kelsie Chang Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawai`i Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai’i 96720 Direct: (808) 961-8157|Main: (808) 961-8288 Email: Kelsie.chang@hawaiicounty.gov Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any review, use, disclosure, or distribution by unintended recipients is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. Hawaiʻi County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. From:Joanna Weber To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 12:56:22 PM ALOHA Here are my concerns as follows. ALOHA, JOANNA WEBER STOP GP from going to County Council until further investigation on: "Climate Change" being the foundation of the entire plan Turning private land into recreation, dropping property value, and the right of the State to do so. (No local would want that.)The Safety of electric vehicles on the island, the problem with recycling the lithium batteries which are a hazard waste, and the increased expense to locals’ electricity bills! (The current electric grid can't handle more!)Taking most of the island and giving it to the State under the guiseof "Conservation", "Natural" and "Rural" MORE Concerns Include: Land Use changing “Residential” to “Recreation” drops property value! Plan could set up many opportunities for the State to take your land & Rezone! Plan turns most of Big Island into "Conservation", "Natural" or"Rural", meaning no farming, living, or building!! Plan could regulate off-grid living! Plan will further stress electric grid increasing prices! And many more concerns! **Please, also, reschedule the GP meetings in January. From:Kauilani Bright To:WPCtestimony Subject:No consent Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1:15:07 PM STOP GP from going to County Council until further investigation on... "Climate Change" the foundation of the entire plan Turning private land into recreation, dropping property value, and the right of the State to doso. (No local would want that.) The Safety of electric vehicles on the island, the problem with recycling the lithium batterieswhich are a hazard waste, and the increased expense to locals electricity bills! (The currrent electric grid can't handle more!) Taking most of the island and giving it to the State under the guise of "Conservation", "Natural" and "Rural" From:Ken Honma To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Cc:Stand Together Hawaii Subject:General plan 2045 comments Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 12:25:13 PM The Hawaii County General Plan 2045 is missing critical elements that need to be included in order to ensure that you the planning commissioners, and the people of Hawaii County can evaluate what this planning document is about. As this document stands, no one will be able to determine how any of the elements described in this plan what this plan is to accomplish. Cause and effect is the basis for this document, but these basic relationships are not clearly defined and explained anywhere in this plan. Manmade Climate Change Using man-made climate change as a justification for unleashing any proposed powers to government for general planning is making policy based on an opinion, not any scientific fact. To the contrary there is no proof that normal human activity is causing dangerously high levels of temperature increases that would warrant this kind of powers to be used in the general plan. *Exclude any references to manmade climate change. Geoengineering If this document were even-handed, it would also have a section on geo-engineering, which is scientifically proven to effect weather. Aerial activities that influence weather have been ongoing for many decades. What effects do these human activities have on the climate? *Geoengineering should be included in the plan Societal Controls There is the assumption that it is necessary to confine and control societal development by limiting activities to what is and will be considered acceptable development such as where to develop, where to farm, where people can live, etc. What is the basis, and where is the discussion that these controls are needed, warranted, wanted or legal? Where is the ideal, model development example in real life Hawaii that demonstrates that any ofthese “development” ideas actually result in whatever is to be achieved? *Eliminate social control planning until these important questions are expounded on in writing inthe plan. Definitions of terms The lack of a detailed discussion of what exactly is meant by such words as “thrive”, “resilience”,“security”, “economy”, leads to much misinterpretations and confusion. What exactly is the meaning of “economy” in terms of Hawaii County? What are the metrics that will be used to determine what the current state of our economy is, and for the future, how progress is being made or not made? How will success be measured? In other words what will success look like? Defining success by measuring it against well-defined success-or-failure metrics will make it clear to all, what the plan intends. *Define all terms. Intent With a firm understanding of the intent of the general plan, we the people can more readily vote for or against the plan. For eample: it “looks like” the intent is to sequester the most possible amount of land away from human developement into conversation land (out of circulation for meeting human needs).This is a formula for 15 minute cities. It shoud be clearly stated that the the primary intent is to raise the standard of living for allresidents, and support the means for all people to achieve home ownership, land ownership, and business ownership. Meeting growing energy needs. More transportation options and fullmaintanance of existing roads and bridges and public transportation. Better travel connectivitythroughout the island. Support systems for new and innovative businesses. Support small,independent farmers and food growers. *We do not want 15 minute cities. Milestones Milestones need to be established from start to completion with the specific elements to becompleted. It can be seen that in order for this plan to work, a detailed and specific vision on whatsuccess looks like, and how to measure it is not included, but, necessary in order to take the firststeps in the as of yet, not envisioned success description. *Establish milestones for all elements of the plan. The success metric It is a waste of time and our money if there is no measure of success like or how to get there. Without the goals clearly stated, and steps to reach the goals, any legislative actions; taxes, incentives, fines, fees, or capital allocations toward any of the plan’s elements would be fiscally, andlegislatively irresponsible. There is too much room for other hidden agendas to be persued as it iswritten. The plan is after all, for the people; so the major success metric must be the success and happinessmetric of the people. At present there is no section that discusses this metric. *Include a clear and usable success metric. Accountability There needs to be a person responsible for the completion of this plan. The Mayor could be evaluated on how successful or not their administration is in accomplishing the general plan. Thepeople could be responsible for the mayor’s evaluation. Heads of departments likewise could beresponsible for carrying out the initiatives and would also be evaluated for success or failures. Anaccountability structure needs to be written into the plan. *Define and include the accountability structure. Sincerely, Ken Honma From:L Pasco To:WPCtestimony Subject:Big Island General Plain (GP 2045) Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1:54:29 PM WPC Testimony Normal human activity Climate Change Using man-made climate change as a justification for unleashing any proposed powers to government for general planning is making policy based on an opinion, not any scientific fact. To the contrary there is no proof that normal human activity is causing dangerously high levels of temperature increases that would warrant this kind of powers to be used in the general plan. *Exclude any references to normal human activity climate change. Geoengineering If this document were even-handed, it would also have a section on geo-engineering, which is scientifically proven to effect weather. Aerial activities that influence weather have been ongoing for many decades. What effects do these human activities have on the climate? *Geoengineering should be included in the plan. Societal Controls There is the assumption that it is necessary to confine and control societal development by limiting activities to what is and will be considered acceptable development such as where to develop, where to farm, where people can live, etc. What is the basis, and where is the discussion that these controls are needed, warranted, wanted or legal? Where is the ideal, model development example in real life Hawaii that demonstrates that any of these “development” ideas actually result in whatever is to be achieved? *Eliminate social control planning until these important questions are expounded on in writing in the plan. Electric vehicles *Do not encourage or require electric vehicles to be used on the island. Rezoning *Do not rezone any more land for Conservation or Recreation. *Do not rezone any land to Rural. *Do not rezone Residential land to Rural. *Do not rezone any more land to the State government. From:Mary W Maxwell To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Please accept this testimony for meeting on December 19, 2024. Mahalo. Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 5:40:42 PM Attachments:WPCtestimony.docx two pages attached. WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov, LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov, from Mary W Maxwell, LLB (two pages, humbly submitted for Dec 19 meeting, 2024. Dear HawaiiCounty.gov: I have written to you before and appeared in person twice this year. I love Hawaii (heaven). I came on negatively saying you shouldn't do this and shouldn't do that. But today I change my tune. Please hear me out. I'll be brief and am NOT trying to make fun. This is the way my brain solves issues, by looking at all possibilities. The issue in question is whether the state takes over more land for public use, and whether we throw away the Fifth Amendment clause about land. My New View (based on a feeling of hopelessness, I suppose): 1. Take all the land you can take. Maximize the grab. 2. That is what our World Government wants us to do, and it instructs all nations to do likewise. 3. In Australia, they tried to "rename" all land as public land, using a really offensive trick to the Aboriginal peoples. I guess it is too embarrassing to mention, so I'll mention it: Some folks, a year or two ago, came up with a new archaeological discovery. Something sacred, perhaps? Not exactly. It was a ... um... turd. From an ancient human, thus proving the Native Aussies' right to claim the land. When that did not grab everyone, they changed the focus to giving the Aborigines a special "Voice to Parliament." Josephine Cashman and others with a clear view put a stop to that item which was an insult to every person's intelligence. (Or a correct reading of the intelligence of today's citizenry, as the case may be.) 4. But go ahead, announce that your land grab will avert, say, Climate Change. It's bound to fool at least some Hawaiians. 5. At the same time, you could agree to a major Transmigrasie, with foreigners coming in to settle the new land. The World Government is virtually insisting on mixing up all cultures. The goal, a clever one, is to prevent the formation of societies whose members trust each other. It is surely easier to govern, or even enslave, a divided group. That's just basic math. 6. Last time I looked, the "National Guard Bureau" [unconstitutional in its very name] had a thing called Love and Roses. Oops, got that wrong: the propaganda name is "Partners for Peace" which really and truly welcomes foreign troops to our shore [so we can learn those boys some democracy and apple pie, hear?]. 7. Hawaii has two partners for peace: the Philippines and Indonesia. Why not? I quote: "The Philippine and U.S. members said they were eager to continue tight-knit cooperation in areas vital to national security. These include counterterrorism, maritime security, cyber- security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief." No, seriously, they said that. And [we] "collaborate on a wide range of initiatives, including disaster response, humanitarian assist- ance, and peacekeeping operations,” said U.S Army Col. John Udani, director of military support." 8. When people see soldiers on streets, they start to think their position as a participant in The Great Republic has been thrown out with both the baby and the bathwater. As indeed it has, no? 9. Everything now seems heartbreaking, especially the removal of traditional values. It may be wise to just speed this up, and save a sort of interim period in which the elders still go around acting like the situation can be salvaged. No, it cannot. The die is cast. The Lahaina fire is proof. 10. Why even hold meetings where people can state their preferences? It would be better to phone Elon Musk and ask for his Artificial Intelligence ideas as to what we should do. Cyber stuff is superior to Homo sapiens stuff. Mahalo for letting me speak. It still amazes me that I can send such emails as this. God help us all. Yours sincerely (despite what appears to be sarcasm above, it IS NOT), Mary Maxwell, age 77 Aloha. From:marybeth weber To:WPCtestimony Subject:Big Island General Plan meetings Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1:28:30 PM I understand that the public testimony meetings for January have been canceled. Please reschedule them! This is a very important issue and this need to be continued. The General Plan as written is NOT acceptable. Thank you, Marybeth Weber Volcano Big Island From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Plz RESCHEDULE GP Public Testimony In January Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 12:23:28 PM Aloha Commissioners, Mahalo for your service. I know you do this on your own time and I appreciate your hard work. Please reschedule the public testimony on the Hawaii General Plan 2045 in January. We need those meetings. This plan should be stopped from going to County Council until the following can beinvestigated: "Climate Change" the foundation of the entire plan Turning private land into recreation, dropping property value, and the right of the State to do that. (No local would want this.) The Safety of electric vehicles on the island, the problem with recycling the lithium batteries which are a hazard waste, and the increased expense to locals electricity bills! (The current electric grid can't handle more!) Taking most of the island and giving it to the State under the guise of "Conservation", "Natural" and "Rural" Not one person has been in support of this plan in the nearly 10 meetings I've gone to. Howcan they say that the public helped with this plan? Please reschedule, or BETTER someone motion to STOP this plan from moving forward. You CAN do that! Just because it is on schedule to go through doesn't mean it has to. It's more important to have a plan that supports the Big Island and doesn't harm it. Please someone be brave enough to stop this madness from moving forward. Kind Regards, Michelle Melendez 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Sherri Carden To:WPCtestimony Date:Wednesday, December 18, 2024 11:56:53 PM I am opposed to changing the zoning of any land for the use of recreation or conservation,when our grid is already being stretched. The state needs to do a lot more research so that we can be a lot more self-sufficient instead of creating new places for visitors to come and spread out while lowering our property values. Roads are already overcrowded. We don’t need more cars driving around or more peoplecoming here when there are plenty of houses that need to be sold at a fair price. Sincerely, Sherri Carden Hilo resident Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone From:akya azarael To:WPCtestimony Subject:Reschedule GP meeting in January. Mahalo Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:19:07 AM Aloha. Please reschedule GP meeting in January. Mahalo STOP GP from going to County Council until further investigation on... "Climate Change" the foundation of the entire plan Turning private land into recreation, dropping property value, and the right of the State to do so. (No local would want that.) The Safety of electric vehicles on the island, the problem with recycling the lithium batteries which are a hazard waste, and the increased expense to locals electricity bills! (The currrent electric grid can't handle more!) Taking most of the island and giving it to the State under the guise of "Conservation", "Natural" and "Rural" Mahalo: akya Azarael puna resident if 25 yrs From:Dan and Shannon Fisher To:WPCtestimony Subject:reschedule General Plan meetings in January, 2025 Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:27:31 AM Aloha, We are contacting you in regards to the cancelled General Plan meetings for January, 2025.We need more of these meetings to hear the testimonies of the people of the Big Island as well as why such changes are being implemented by our county.These changes proposed are not only unnecessary but dangerous for the future of our Ohana and our well being. We believe it is the job of the County Counsel to notify every resident ofsuch life changing plans. The people of Hawaii require full disclosure on what the County Counsel is doing. Mahalo,Dan and Shannon Fisher 808-345-4449 From:Planning General Plan To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:FW: General Plan Draft Land Use Designation Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:35:05 PM Public Comment From: Dan Berg <dan.berg@dlbandassoc.com> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:02 PM To: Planning General Plan <generalplan@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: General Plan Draft Land Use Designation Regarding General Plan Draft affecting Tax Map Key (3) 2-1-006-023 We are having difficulty with the General Plan website portal. Attempting to comment but the site is in a redundant loop. Please insert into the public comments the following statement: As owners of the above property we are concerned with the proposed designation of the property as Recreation on the General Plan. The current GP Draft includes these properties incorporated into Reeds Park. While we understand this does not immediately change the Land Use Zone from current V- 0.75, it is the first step to facilitate such a change via an emanate domain process. We have plans to develop our parcel for residential use and do not want to be compelled to negotiate appraisals, purchase and develop anther property. Dan Berg966-4206https://dlbandassoc.com/ From:Davina To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony Subject:GP public testimony meetings Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 3:33:24 PM By Aloha, By this email, I am asking that you reschedule the GP public testimony meetings in January. Many of us seek to speak and be heard at these important meetings in first month if 2025. With Aloha & Gratitude,Davina Mar Live Aloha Love Now From:Dawn Singleton To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony December 19th at five Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 2:59:36 PM STOP GP from going to the County Council until further investigation is done... "Climate Change" the foundation of the entire plan Turning private land into recreation, dropping property value, and the right of the State to do so. (No local would want that.) The Safety of electric vehicles on the island, the problem with recycling the lithium batteries, which are hazardous waste, and the increased expense to locals electricity bills! (The current electric grid can't handle more!) Taking most of the island and giving it to the State under the guise of "Conservation", "Natural," and "Rural." Thank-you Dawn Eshelman Singleton, PhD, DHS, CTP, DNM 'Board Certified' Quantum Biofeedback Specialist & Author "FEEL BETTER THE NATURAL WAY" www.quantumhealthhawaii.com From:Dawn SingletonTo:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Cc:Dawn SingletonSubject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 2:53:43 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big Island Plan cannot be implemented as designed. It is hard to believe that any locals helped create thisplan. Here are some concerns: A considerable part of the plan is dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there isNO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the world canhave input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are localBig Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live on Big Island orhave property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, or activities in the generalplan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainability ofany initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their propertyvalue and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reducesomeone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. 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 thescientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weatherman for Good Morning America and the Founder of the WeatherChannel, has gone on CNN and other media outlets, stating, "There is no climate danger". He explains thereason for this narrative is the investors in renewable energy want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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, pursue theacquisition 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 acquisitionof lands." Does this say they are going to take people's private property? Again with "protection of naturalresources". This plan should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island! We needto turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou, has created an AgVillages 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 can see itin 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.pdf Thank-youDawn Dawn Eshelman Singleton, PhD, DHS, CTP, DNM 'Board Certified' Quantum Biofeedback Specialist & Author "FEEL BETTER THE NATURAL WAY" www.quantumhealthhawaii.com From:Eileen Downing To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 3:49:49 AM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do mostexperts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone inthe entire world can have input on this plan. Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities 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 personallyaffected by projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effective local communityengagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 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 page188, 40.8. 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 willdrastically lower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is notpono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to befurther 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the firstweather 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. 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. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this planreferring 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 naturalresources". This plan should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! 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, aresident 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 Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. MahaloEileen Downing From:Doctor Jack To:WPCtestimony Subject:Reschedule GP meeting in January Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:41:03 AM Thank you Jack Ebner From:Ken Honma To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Stand Together Hawaii Subject:Reschedule the January General Plan public testimony Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:53:33 PM Public testimony for the general plan needs to be rescheduled for January . I just found out that the scheduled public testimony has been cancelled, this is a breach of trust. The generalplan 2045 is very important and at this point needs more input from the people of this county, so reschedule the public hearing so that we can be heard.Sincerely, Ken HonmaKurtistown Hi. 96760 From:Lahilahi Heen To:WPCtestimony Subject:Hawai"i General Plan Meeting Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:15:27 PM Regarding the meetings that are cancelled in January for the Gen Plan, this is NOT okay. The message with this action is Communistic. A nefarious plan is taking place and you alldon't want to be disturbed. If this is not the case, then set new dates in January and pay attention to the people you are expected to serve, not the people who manipulate to servethem. P. O. From:Seraph D"Alerta To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii general plan testimony Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 8:34:52 AM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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. Aloha Seraph D’Alerta From:Sherri Carden To:WPCtestimony Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:01:31 AM I am very opposed to using our land for recreational use when we are already over capacitywith traffic and our grid as well as water use please reconsider any commercial development that will have a negative impact upon our communities and our land. Thank you very much. Sherri Carden hilo resident Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone From:Sloan Brockman To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii general plan testimony Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 8:33:01 AM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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. AlohaSloan From:Utah Valley Permaculture To:WPCtestimony Subject:Don"t cancel January Testim9ny meeting. Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 6:46:22 AM Land Use changing Residential to Recreation DROPS property value!Plan could set up MANY opportunities for State to take your land & Rezone!Plan turns most of Big Island into "Conservation", "Natural" or "Rural" meaning no farming, living or building!! Plan could regulate OFF-GRID living! Plan will further STRESS electric grid increasing prices!AND MORE! Denise Devynck BSW, PDC Utah Valley Permaculture Classroom Gardens & Greenhouse www.permaculturedesignschool.org 801 808 4424 utahvalleypermaculture@gmail.com Facebook free research and education group Utah Valley Permaculture ClassroomGardens & Greenhouse under Featured tab https://youtu.be/r6P2o-DeRd4 Examples around the World and back to Utah of Climate Regeneration by Ecosystemrestoration. Come learn how at www.permaculturedesignschool.org nonprofit charity school Demonstration Food Forest. Now over 5 years old and withstanding "rising temperatures 2x faster in Utah than rest of world, " per UCAIR member, Salt Lake County Environmental and Health director, by cooling up to 20 degrees. Cleaning CO2, smoke and otherpollutants in the forest. Stopping Soil erosion and reducing use of water. Examples of Climate Change reparation by Ecosystem restoration all over the world nowhttps://youtu.be/qk5erQLu8to https://youtu.be/NgbwDTSZyJMhttps://youtu.be/bLdNhZ6kAzohttps://youtu.be/tLRWrw45EwoLet's fix the damage deforestation has caused by replanting the forests. And vegetation! Our 60 second PSA by the most famous Climate Change personalities: https://youtu.be/ea5dok4zfT0 KBYU worldwide Interview on Permaculture. http://www.byuradio.org/episode/a3ca8d91-adee-428b-bee8-69226504b0b0/constant-wonder-animals-robotics-surgery-models-ice-music-permaculture?playhead=4339&autoplay=true&fbclid=IwAR3JP1NFuhjETb6WAhAqRBRsfarmqu87rzh3pXVHVTpH6CwzN_NrDHGLrig From:Miki To:WPCtestimony Subject:Request to Reschedule January Meeting! Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 1:31:47 PM Aloha! Keeping our State Moto active and alive requires due diligence on your and my part of “ UaMau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono” … "the life of the land is perpetuated inrighteousness."… because we are righteous and do righteous deeds! I am unsure of the reason for canceling the January Meeting but without “conversationalinput from the people and their descendants” who will bear the burden of this decision,this will not be “pono” righteous! Therefore it is imperative that you reschedule the January meeting and not just cancel itwithout the people’s input! MahaloYolanda M St. Laurent - kupuna Sent from my iPhone From:sharkgssTo:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Cc:Kimball, Heather Subject:Re: Testimony for General Plan 2045 for 19 December - NEEDS FULL OVERHAUL due to serious unaddressed issuesDate:Friday, December 20, 2024 9:03:55 AM Aloha, I was unable to attend the zoom meeting last night due to a medical issue. I cannot find the public testimony, it seems to be cut off after the general planningmanager announcement. Please forward a link that offers in person and zoom testimony of the public from 19 December 2024 on the 2045 General Plan,withholding this public testimony is very deceptive. There are numerous issues with this plan and testimony is overwhelmingly opposed to the basis and concepts which only benefit stakeholders. Where is all of thepublic comment being compiled and integrated? Why have all the January opportunities to testify been cancelled? Please provide receipt of my testimony provided via email. Mahalo,Donna ThompsonKamuela, HI Sent with Proton Mail secure email. On Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 7:27 PM, sharkgss <sharkgss@protonmail.com> wrote: Aloha, I have provided extensive written testimony numerous times and commented on the general plan online along with many others that haveemphasized this plan needs a complete overhaul to meet the needs of the community. This plan is based off a template handed down thru theUnited Nations Agenda 21. This document is a good overview to educate county planning and legislative officials on AGENDA 21 and should bemandatory reading. https://nwri.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/How-Public-Officials-can-Recognize-Agenda-21.pdf The original version in 2005 plan contains the words "homeowner" and "farmer" while the 2045 plan is written by and for "stakeholders!" This is outrageous and the words "homeowner" and "farmer" do not appear anywhere! "Farmer" is in the 2005 General Plan fourteen (14) times and "homeowner" appears four (4) times. Below are just a few things that need addressing: 1. The State and County ARE corporations and have no right to acquire land. The proposed re-zoning is excessive overreach for the benefit of stakeholders and will affect landowners tremendously. This will open up the county for massive legal recourse that will tie up county resources for many years. 2. Remove reference to climate change caused by humans, this is unproven and junk science (see additional resources below). This includes removing references to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Carbon dioxide sequestration is a really really stupid idea, waste of tax payer funds and energy, and will further degrade our flora and fauna. 3. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because State and County corporations are not acting on behalf of its residents and clearly acting on behalf of stakeholders. 4. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "land owner" or "farmer/rancher". 5. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the egregious concept of "smart" cities. 6. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 7. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED and it is a waste of resources. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed General Plan the citizens can work directly with the county. 8. The governments intention for "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land and water catchment is in direct violation of privacy rights. 9. Add language for safeguarding against the danger of emerging technology, including 5G. Language needs to be drafted regarding technology easements based on health studies conducted by 3rd party with no conflict of interest. 10. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 11. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 12. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 13. There is no clear plan for strengthening infrastructure and power grid against space weather. 14. The document contains no explanation how the county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications) due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been diligently preparing for due to weakening magnetosphere (see additional resources below). 15. Include language to ban "man made" weather modification, spraying of nano particulate in the atmosphere, and geoengineering activities that have a significant impact on health, property, and the environment. 16. Include language against harmful chemicals, pesticides such as glyphosate, and genetically altered organisms (including vectors of disease) from being released into the environment. 17. Implement severe restrictions for artificial intelligence data centers proposed by "stakeholders" that will drain the power grid. 18. Implement provisions regarding military training and operations that are transparent and safe for the environment. Depleted uranium dropped in the Saddle Region next to an active Volcano is NOT acceptable whatsoever, nor is excessive underground explosions that have been going on for years that parallel training operations at Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA). 19. Developers should not be granted relief from requirements for sidewalks, bike lanes, etc... a dedicated bike lane should be implemented on all major roads. 20. Include information on the drawbacks of electric vehicles to include draw on the grid, disposal of batteries, and fire dangers. Climate Mitigation Basis for Plan is Unfounded A great deal of content is based on Climate Mitigation from human activity which has a minuscule effect on the earth's overall climate. Over 99% of the climate affects are driven by solar activity, cycles, and space weather. The document completely fails to mention the threat of space weather and is almost entirely focused on carbon emissions promoted by the United Nations Climate Agenda. Our Federal Government has been preparing for space weather threats for many years, yet the Hawai'i island GP lacks any reference to this even though critical infrastructure (energy, communications, transportation, and supply chain) is at risk due to increased solar radiation from our weakening magnetosphere. In 2015 the magnetosphere was down by 40% according to this Federal Doc. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1040918#:~:text=The%20research%20evaluates%20the%20impacts,reversals%20and%20adverse%20space%20weather In October of 2016 President Obama issued the following executive order Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events - Executive order 13744 (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-201600692 ) Section 1. Policy. Space weather events, in the form of solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances, occur regularly, some with measurable effects on critical infrastructure systems and technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations and communication, aviation, and the electrical power grid. Extreme space weather events—those that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure—could disable large portions of the electrical power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare, and transportation. Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector. It is the policy of the United States to prepare for space weather events to minimize the extent of economic loss and human hardship. The Federal Government must have (1) the capability to predict and detect a space weather event, (2) the plans and programs necessary to alert the public and private sectors to enable mitigating actions for an impending space weather event, (3) the protection and mitigation plans, protocols, and standards required to reduce risks to critical infrastructure prior to and during a credible threat, and (4) the ability to respond to and recover from the effects of space weather. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate their efforts to prepare for the effects of space weather events. Sec. 2. Objectives. This order defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather. These activities are to be implemented in conjunction with those identified in the 2015 National Space Weather Action Plan and any subsequent updates. Implementing this order and the Action Plan will require the Federal Government to work across agencies and to develop, as appropriate, enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; academia; non-profits; the private sector; and international partners. These efforts will enhance national preparedness and speed the creation of a space-weather-ready Nation. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events In October 2016 (about 10 days before the above executive order was signed) the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers.This was a massive exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. A spokesman said in a statement: “The main goal of the drill is to practice organization of management during civil defense events and emergency and fire management, to check preparedness of management bodies and forces of civil defense on all levels to respond to natural and man-made disasters and to take civil defense measures.” https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Resources Weather Modification/Geoengineering Man made geoengineering is an operation primarily used to block out solar radiation and create, distribute, and deflect weather systems. Its use over many decades is outside the scope of public knowledge and having significant impacts on our environment/weather to include increased super storms, fires, flooding, droughts, and causing very high levels of aluminum in the soil and tissue samples of all mammals. I personally have tested hundreds of humans and animals and seen very high levels in all hair analysis tests. This is why Monsanto developed aluminum resistant seeds, soil in North America is testing 40,000 times higher rates of aluminum in the last 2 decades. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ Tennessee and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills to ban this practice. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/03/20/tennessee-senate-passes-bill-banning-chemtrails-what-to-know/73027586007/ Maui county council passed a bill in 2010 to ban geoengineering and this link explains how it is being used to lessen the effects of solar radiation. There has been no public oversight or consent to these projects. http://mauiskywatch.org/info-official-reports/ It is clear based on the above information the governments of the world are preparing for space weather effects due to the weakening magnetic field, therefore it is critical that the county review and adopt their own contingency plan. Hawaii county should implement a ban on geoengineering before soil is too toxic with aluminum and when combined with glyphosate it can cross the blood brain barrier and render our soils inert due. These issues are being brought to your attention as a big picture, there are many other concerns that need addressing that have been provided in previous testimony. The GP is a disaster for our environment since it fails to address some of the most critical issues, instead it is abundantly clear it is being used a control mechanism over free men and women designed to consolidate power to the hands of the stakeholders. GP as it stands has no place in Hawaii or anywhere else in the world and will ultimately fail. Mahalo for your service, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI . Sent with Proton Mail secure email. From:Michelle Melendez To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:We appreciate you (apology here) Date:Friday, December 20, 2024 2:26:16 PM Aloha Commissioners, I want to apologize for my intensity during testimony. It's not personal or an attack on any of you. I really appreciate you and your time. I know you're volunteers. My intensity is due to this plan and my huge concern of the possibilities that it will moveforward. There was a commissioner that asked what would happen if it didn't go through, which it should not. Mahalo for the question. This plan should not be rushed just because it's over thetime limit when it should have been adopted. If it will harm the island and the people here, which it will, it must be recommended that it not go through. I pray that you do that. The general plan manager said they took input from locals to create this plan. I don't know onelocal that would want a plan like this, and not one has shown up to speak on behalf of the plan in the 10 meetings I've attended. She also stated the source for climate change is from the "authority of the State". The State isnot an expert on weather. The State and the electric companies will prosper if this plan goes through, not the people. If they are the source for the foundation of a plan where they prosper,that is a conflict of interest. I want to say a big mahalo to the commissioner who asked for them to talk about the Hawaii land trusts in the plan. That was a wonderful request. I haven't seen any info on it so I'mcurious to hear what they say. I know that you are all volunteers and I cannot express how much I really do appreciate you and your time. I'm very sorry if my intensity has come across as an attack. That was never myintention. Without you, this plan goes through to people who are paid and may not have the public's best interest at heart. You do, and I really appreciate that. Have a wonderful holiday. Mele Kalikimaka, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:My verbal Testimony in written form (mahalo) Date:Saturday, December 21, 2024 2:40:40 PM Aloha Commissions, Here is my written testimony of my verbal testimony: I believe this is my tenth time speaking at these meetings about the GP and have yet to see one local in support of this plan. Yet, we’re meant to believe locals helped create this plan. This plan has so many things that indicate the State, and electric companies are the ones who will prosper, not locals and not our future keiki. We were told the land for Conservation is already State land. Yet, land allocated for Conservation runs nearly the entire coast of Big Island. There are private land owners who own coast land so that cannot be true that all current Conservation land is owned by the State. Where are Hawaiian Homelands in this plan? When I do a word search I get "not found". What I’m concerned with most: Land that will be "acquired" for Conservation, Natural, and Rural land. It even says that they’ll “lease” it back to the farmer. This land should be used to grow more food, not be taken away from people and conserved. The wording of the plan is confusing: For example: “Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant sites, sewerage pump station sites, and sewer easements according to the facility plans to facilitate their acquisition.” pg. 137 (27.3) Does this mean they want to immediately acquire people's land for sewage sites? It shows that it wants to move people into clustered housing. Page 10 Cluster Plan Development (CPD) refers to a land use planning strategy where residential or commercial development is concentrated in specific areas while preserving larger portions of the land as open space or natural areas. In this approach, buildings are grouped closely together, often in a compact or clustered manner, rather than being evenly dispersed across a site. This will not benefit Big Island people and should be removed. Electric cars are extremely dangerous and are a hazard waste that we cannot put in our landfills. A commission asked what if we just have EVs for the government and not public and another commission said we must have zero emissions. Why? Whose policy is that? Why can’t it just be for the State? People do not want electric vehicles. They are a hazard waste that we cannot put in or landfills so what will we do with them when they die? VERY Concerning: Page 11: “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multidisciplinary approach of crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments.” This sounds like Big Brother and surveillance. What does this mean? This looks like the creation of a police State. Please motion to stop this plan from moving forward. Big Island will never be the same. It will not support Hawaiians coming back to live here. It will do the exact opposite. Please reschedule both January meetings for testimony on the GP. More people will want to be heard and this plan is the foundation for the future of Big Island. All meetings should be honored. Mahalo nui loa for your time. I know you are volunteers and we really do appreciate you. Aloha, Michelle Melendez 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 2:25 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com>wrote: Aloha Commissioners, I want to apologize for my intensity during testimony. It's not personal or an attack on any ofyou. I really appreciate you and your time. I know you're volunteers. My intensity is due to this plan and my huge concern of the possibilities that it will move forward. There was a commissioner that asked what would happen if it didn't go through, which itshould not. Mahalo for the question. This plan should not be rushed just because it's over the time limit when it should have been adopted. If it will harm the island and the people here,which it will, it must be recommended that it not go through. I pray that you do that. The general plan manager said they took input from locals to create this plan. I don't know one local that would want a plan like this, and not one has shown up to speak on behalf ofthe plan in the 10 meetings I've attended. She also stated the source for climate change is from the "authority of the State". The State is not an expert on weather. The State and the electric companies will prosper if this plangoes through, not the people. If they are the source for the foundation of a plan where they prosper, that is a conflict of interest. I want to say a big mahalo to the commissioner who asked for them to talk about the Hawaiiland trusts in the plan. That was a wonderful request. I haven't seen any info on it so I'm curious to hear what they say. I know that you are all volunteers and I cannot express how much I really do appreciate youand your time. I'm very sorry if my intensity has come across as an attack. That was never my intention. Without you, this plan goes through to people who are paid and may not havethe public's best interest at heart. You do, and I really appreciate that. Have a wonderful holiday. Mele Kalikimaka, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:alicia palmvalleyfarm.com To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony or postpone until a Hilo CDP may be established. Date:Sunday, December 22, 2024 1:00:32 AM After several meetings with the community members we would like to see changes made to theproposed General Plan. Here are some concerns: 1. The plan defines " Stakeholder " 86 times, which means anyone in the world can have input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, andindividuals 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 tounelected officials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page188, 40.8. 3. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land usewill 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for GoodMorning 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, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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 BigIsland! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident ofPapaikou, 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 Site Plan: 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 can see 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.pdf Here 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. It is also a Constitutional right for us to travel. Limiting the amount of miles driven should not be considered in the General Plan. Preferably, we would like to see this plan addressed and rewritten after establishing a new CDP. There is no reason to rush this plan given the amount of concerns our community would like to furtherinvestigate. We are able to continue with the 2005 plan until a satisfactory plan is rewritten. Mahalo, Alicia Wills Palm Valley Farm LLC Land Owner From:Oda, Michelle To:Planning General Plan; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:FW: Reschedule General Plan 2045 Meetings in January 2025 Date:Monday, December 23, 2024 11:35:02 AM Attachments:image001.png Hi, Forwarding email for your attention and use. Thank you, Michelle Oda County of Hawaii, Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 | Hilo, HI 96720 Direct: (808) 961-8129 Michelle.Oda@hawaiicounty.gov From: Sakai, Kimberly <Kimberly.Sakai@hawaiicounty.gov> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 10:54 AM To: Planning Internet Mail <planning@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: FW: Reschedule General Plan 2045 Meetings in January 2025 From: Mele Akua <mele_akua@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 10:49 AM Subject: Reschedule General Plan 2045 Meetings in January 2025 To Hawaii County Planning Department and Windward Planning Commission: Please reschedule the Windward Planning Commission General Plan meetings in January 2025 for public testimony. There is practically no knowledge of the GP 2045 among Big Island locals, yet it will change how we ALL live here. As someone already testified, we all get a property taxbill in the mail, so why weren't we sent a letter about the General Plan Meetings, encouraging public participation? Whenever I ask someone if they heard about the General Plan 2045, they ALWAYS - 100% of the time answer "No, what is that?" The public, who you claim to serve, deserves the right to learn about the GP 2045 and give their public testimonies on it, yet you've taken one opportunity away by cancelling the January 2 & 3 meetings. If you really work for us, then show us by rescheduling the January meetings. Do what is right for the benefit of the people not to the benefit of the few. Mahalo! From:Kim Magoon To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:RESCHEDULE the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony January meeting Date:Friday, December 27, 2024 5:48:30 PM Aloha, I’m wondering why the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony meetings were canceled for January. I along with many others would like to request that they be rescheduled and accessible for us in January. It is important for the community to be able to learn more about these proposed items and be able to have input on things that will greatly affect us. PLEASE RESCHEDULE THE JANUARY MEETINGS. Mahalo Kim MagoonMagoon808@gmail.com From:LPCtestimony To:Kim Magoon; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:RE: RESCHEDULE the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony January meeting Date:Saturday, December 28, 2024 9:00:37 PM Attachments:image001.png Hi Kim – Thank you for your email. Please note that the Regular Leeward Planning Commission meeting scheduled for January 16th, 2025, has been canceled. However, the Leeward Planning Commission Special General Plan Meeting will take place as planned on that date. We appreciate your understanding. Thank you, Kelsie Chang Leeward Planning CommissionCounty of Hawai`i Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai’i 96720 Direct: (808) 961-8157|Main: (808) 961-8288Email: Kelsie.chang@hawaiicounty.gov Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any review, use, disclosure, or distribution byunintended recipients is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. Hawaiʻi County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. From: Kim Magoon <magoon808@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, December 27, 2024 5:48 PM To: WPCtestimony <wpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; LPCtestimony <lpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: RESCHEDULE the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony January meeting Aloha, I’m wondering why the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony meetings were canceled for January. I along with many others would like to request that they be rescheduled and accessible for us in January. It is important for the community to be able to learn more about these proposed items and be able to have input on things that will greatly affect us. PLEASE RESCHEDULE THE JANUARY MEETINGS. Mahalo Kim Magoon Magoon808@gmail.com From:Michelle Melendez To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:re: Meetings in January? Date:Saturday, December 28, 2024 10:34:31 AM Aloha Commissioners, Mahalo for rescheduling one of the January meetings that was cancelled to January 16th. It is currently not on your calendar. I'm hoping it will be updated soon. Will you be able to reschedule the 2nd meeting in January that was canceled? mahalo, Michelle Melendez 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:tina Baugh Garber To:WPCtestimony Subject:Public declaration opting out. Date:Sunday, December 29, 2024 3:48:58 PM Absolutely no General Plan 2045 Hawaii Big Island. I am making a public declaration. I will not be party to this in any form, fashion shape or how.I vote NO on General Plan 2045. Furthermore, I will absolutely not have anything to do with this bill, and this bill will not haveanything to do with me any property or any livelihoods or possessions that I have OR anything my children A and Z have. You are not allowed to touch anything or to take or controlanything I own. Everything I have I've worked for.This is my public declaration. This is my world declaration. You are not implementing this in any way on me. This island should revolt against you, and this bill. This is not anything right. This is a deception that they can fix a problem of tomorrow when they cannot even fix anything today.It's a joke. I will not be party to this ugly ugly horrible plan of General plan 2045 Hawaii You will have three days to respond to my declaration. If not, this is a legal and binding contract.You have five business days to respond in writing via mail usps, from today. Dec 29, 2024 at 3:43 p.m. Hawaii time You've been served. Tina M. Garber3**-**-7434 Sent from my T-Mobile 5G DeviceGet Outlook for Android From:tina Baugh Garber To:WPCtestimony Subject:Reject Date:Monday, December 30, 2024 7:01:11 AM Reject this plan. I reject this plan. The future generations REJECT this plan. NO to General Plan 2045 NO to stealing lands and land rights. NO to stealing any Hawaiian land. NO to the stealing any native or privately owned land. NO NO NO STOP. From:Mike Reimer To:WPCtestimony Subject:testimony for General Plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, January 7, 2025 6:12:45 AM Attachments:TESTIMONY Hawaii General Plan 2025 to be sent January 7 with cover letter.docx To: Windward Planning Commission Hawaii County Government From: Michael Reimer, Ph.D. Re: Testimony for Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 Special General PlanMeeting I am submitting testimony as an attachment for the Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 Special General Plan Meeting. Respectfully yours, /s/ Michael Reimer, Ph.D.GeologistDenver, COGeoMike5@att.netJanuary 7, 2025 TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 p. 1 The concern that the Hawai`i County 2045 General Plan does not include sufficient discussion of subsurface issues has been presented in public forums and has considerable merit because, in Hawai`i, there is a strong connection of subsurface environment and the surface ecosystem. Perhaps the best way to state concern about this omission is to mention a statement by Dr. Nicole Deziel, lead author of an article addressing subsurface environmental manipulation. In an overview of her article, she cautioned, “Researchers and policymakers tend to focus on only one domain, when they really are interconnected.” (Synergies and Trade-Offs in Reducing Impacts of Unconventional Oil and Gas Development on Wildlife and Human Health in Bioscience 72: 472-480, March 2022). Because of this robust surface and subsurface domain connection on Hawai`i Island, I strongly concur with the concern to have the 2045 General Plan include subsurface issues and I provide commentary on some issues that have been previously mentioned. The issue of the subsurface environment with emphasis on hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) has been addressed as a need for inclusion in the 2045 Hawai`i County General Plan (Brenda Ford, Letter to Editor, West Hawai`i Today, December 6, 2024). When fracking is mentioned, most people think of it being employed for enhanced oil and gas extraction from tight rock formations underground. That may not seem to have any application in Hawai`i but fracking can be used for much more than oil and gas extraction and for situations that are common in Hawai`i. For example, hydraulic fracturing can be used for: Stimulating groundwater wells; Mining; Waste remediation and disposal; Measuring Earth stress; Electricity generation for geothermal resources; Geological sequestration of CO2; Pumped storage hydroelectricity (for non oil and gas issues, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fracking). Because the impact of fracking extends beyond underground rocks and fluids, and influences both surface and atmospheric characteristics, fracking, and indeed, other subsurface activities that may be implemented, are reasonable items for discussion and inclusion in the General Plan. Fracking exclusion was added in 2013 to the Hawai`i County Code (Chapter 14), Article 21, Section 14-120 through 14-127. There will most likely be requests for exceptions to this exclusion. There was a plan in 2015 to evaluate the possibility of a geothermal resource on Hualālai but it was canceled. (https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/university-of-Hawai`i-cancels-planned-geothermal- exploration-work-at-hualalai/). TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 p. 2 In 2023, Hawai`ian Home Lands was seeking to evaluate the development of geothermal resources under its lands. (https://www.higp.Hawai`i.edu/hggrc/Hawai`ian- home-lands-seeks-6m-to-test-for-geothermal-power/). Therefore, including a discussion of subsurface development in the County Plan is merited. There is a long history of fracturing rock as a means to increase its permeability. Increasing permeability was first used in the 1860s to increase the amount of water available to wells. Explosives were lowered into the drilled or dug well. This practice was given a name and called ”shooting the well,” and had a very localized effect. This practice of increasing permeability of rocks on a large scale was then applied to oil recovery and recently to gas recovery as a means of extracting more energy resources from underground areas where rock permeability is so low as to prevent free flow of those fluids. Perhaps the largest use of fracking was a project to use atomic bombs to cause “fracking” over vast areas. This was done in the 1950s as part of Project Plowshare, when the concept of using atomic weapons to create great canals was proposed, perhaps to form competition to the Panama Canal. It was also thought to be applicable to enhance the flow of natural gas by increasing permeability of tight rock. In 1969, an atomic bomb was set off underground near Rulison, Colorado to see if it could enhance flow in natural gas by fracturing the fine-grained, low-permeability sandstone of the Williams Fork Formation of the Mesaverde Group. It did, but the gas was radioactive and not really useful for commercial use. (https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/04/f74/RulisonFactSheet.pdf). Although this seemed an extreme fracking approach, today’s hydraulic fracking activities are not without their own pollution problems. Hawai`i government agencies are no stranger to pollution effects from various activities in the state, including disposal of public sewage wastewater and pollution created by military activities, the most recent of the latter being the Red Hill fuel releases into potable groundwater supplies and the use of radioactive materials in training exercises on Oahu and Hawai`i Island. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a drilling technology that involves pumping large quantities of fluids at high pressure into a wellbore and into the target rock formation. The fluid typically contains water, a proppant (a material like spherical sand particles to keep the fractures open), and chemical additives. A large fracking operation can require millions of gallons of water pumped underground. The chemicals, in large part used to reduce the viscosity of water so the proppant flows readily into the fractures, are often stored in surface holding ponds that are unlined and can leach into the ground and become part of the natural groundwater. The hydraulic fracturing operation itself, with TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 p. 3 its above ground equipment and chemical mixing ponds, is a major source of pollution and, it is not necessarily the fracturing of rock that causes large-scale introduction of pollutants into the groundwater, but the leaching from the surface chemical holding ponds into the subsurface that pollutes potable water sources. (https://www.nrdc.org/stories/fracking-101#work). One point I will make is that the impacts of hydraulic fracturing are still being studied. Many of the chemicals injected to force fracture have not been evaluated to know their potential toxicity. They have no EPA guidelines for a level of concern. It is a complex system and pros and cons can be found to argue any individual point. It is not sufficient to say that analyses for contaminants only for which EPA has guidelines have been conducted and none are above the EPA thresholds levels of concern. There are thousands of chemicals that EPA has not studied for their toxicity that end up in potable groundwater supplies. But a rule of thumb can be applied. Those chemicals at any level used in fracking should not be there. There is little doubt that fracking operations do pose risks to human health and not just for oil and gas resource enhancement (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/study-links-fracking-drinking-water- pollution-and-infant-heath: see Hill, Elaine L. and Lala Ma, 2022, Drinking water, fracking, and infant health, J. Health Econ., 102595). I note that there had been some discussion in the public forum (Bobby Camara, Letter to Editor, West Hawai`i Today, December 21, 2024) about the issue of fracking and contamination of the main island system of freshwater lying above the oceanic salt water in the same aquifer of the island. The letter postulated that there would be no mixing of the two waters (i.e., contamination) because the lower density of the freshwater would always keep it above the denser saline water. The Ghyben-Herzberg groundwater system was referenced. That model is useful only in static conditions, and not the real-world dynamic system where stacked aquifer systems are always forced into a mixing scenario. Tidal forces, differential concentration diffusion, recharge of freshwater, removal of the freshwater through well pumping are some examples of how the system is constantly mixed. (Wentworth, C.K., 1947. Factors in the behavior of groundwater in a Ghyben-Herzberg system. Pac Sci 1(3): 172-184). Fracking can increase the interchange between those two systems. On Hawai`i Island, there are occurrences of perched water reservoirs where there is an impermeable layer between that perched freshwater reservoir and lower freshwater/saline water reservoir. An example of one such perched reservoir was found from drilling at Pōhakuloa Training Area Training Area (PTA) as the Army was trying to find a local potable water source so they did not have to transport water. TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 p. 4 Freshwater is provided to PTA by trucking, a major operation that requires about 4,000 trucks a year with 5,000 gallons each of potable water. The cost is over three million dollars a year. The Army entered into a cooperative project in 2013 to drill at PTA to see if freshwater could be found to provide supply for PTA. The plan was to drill a hole over 6,000 feet deep to encounter the saline level at sea level and hope that freshwater reservoirs were found above this saline level. Surprisingly, the drill hole encountered a perched freshwater reservoir at a 600-foot depth. (https://www.dvidshub.net/news/229643/army-taps-consortium-find-water-training-area- high-up-hawaiian-volcano). Any near-surface reservoir could easily become contaminated from the toxins used during training exercises, just as the unlined ponds for fracking development have leached through the porous overburden into groundwater. The freshwater perched reservoir found was never developed. This drilling occurred in 2013 and it is unknown if the contamination from the PTA surface operations contaminated that shallow freshwater reservoir. Such a potential pollution source is described below but it is not the only one that could provide contaminants for underground water sources. A major concern of groundwater pollution today is “forever chemicals”, those per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly used in fire-fighting foams, which do not breakdown in the environment contribute greatly to health risks. The U.S. Army has been analyzing for those “forever chemicals” that have been part of the releases into the environment from their training activities at PTA and Kilauea Military Reservation. (https://aec.army.mil/aec/6616/9869/7418/PTA-KMR_PFAS_PASI.pdf). The analyses so far seem to have been only conducted in soils and not groundwater. This 2023 report states that, for PTA, historical reports place ground water levels several hundred to 1,000 feet or more below the surface and so they were not sampled. It is incongruous that this 2023 report ignored the perched groundwater table found at 600 feet below the surface as it was being considered for a potable water source. Testing it would have provided important information on the rate of movement of contaminants below the surface. The Army has established their own risk-based screening concentration levels above which they would conduct further studies for remedial action. That level was set at 70 parts per trillion. In a report of July 2023, concentrations in soils were found at PTA above those levels (Table ES-1 in https://aec.army.mil/aec/6616/9869/7418/PTA-KMR_PFAS_PASI.pdf). TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 p. 5 The Army states “While not an enforceable regulatory standard, this represents a concentration in drinking water that is not expected to produce adverse health effects if the water is consumed over an entire lifetime.” (https://aec.army.mil/PFAS/HI/PTA). No reference to support that claim is given in that notice. However, this is now in conflict with recent U.S. EPA levels. In April of 2024, the U.S. EPA set levels for drinking water, depending on the type of forever chemical, at 4-10 parts per trillion. (https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas). “EPA expects that over many years the final rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.” Ibid.) This statement from EPA about PFAS contamination foretells a tremendous health benefit with the elimination of this toxin in the environment. Why would fracking be done at PTA? Perhaps for several reasons, not only to increase water flow from the perched water reservoir but to include underground waste disposal and energy production. It was noted that when this perched water was found at PTA, lower levels of that groundwater were found to be at higher temperatures, up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. It was suggested at the time of that finding, the warmer water could be used as a source of steam to run electricity-generating turbines. (https://eos.org/articles/underground-water-reserves-found-hawaiis-high-country). The contamination risk could be exacerbated with fracking operations, opening flow paths from a larger volume for water migration. Another potential source of contamination is injecting waste underground. In 2005, when the EPA began enforcing elimination of cesspools containing human excreta, it provided the U.S. Army at PTA with minimum regulations to prevent the contamination of groundwater that could be used for drinking purposes by underground injections of that waste. Fracking is a means to increase underground storage reservoirs for fluids and gases. The U.S. Army operated six large capacity cesspools at that time. (https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/cafo-pohakuloa05.pdf). A study conducted by the University of Hawai`i showed how injecting wastewater into a saline underlying reservoir would contaminate a freshwater reservoir above it (Duane L. Heutmaker, Frank L. Peterson, and Stephen W. Wheatcraft, March 1977, Technical Report No. 107, A laboratory study of waste injection into a Ghyben-Herzberg groundwater system under dynamic conditions). Fracking would increase the pollution potential. TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission January 16-17, 2025 p. 6 The larger picture is one of critical interest. Because fracking and other technologies that impact the subsurface can influence the surface and atmospheric environment it is worthwhile to address it as a concern in the General Plan. Hawai`i’s social, cultural, economic, health, safety, and quality of life domains among others depend on sustainability of the environment. There is a chance to minimize additional negative impacts in the future. And that needs to be addressed now. Respectfully submitted, Michael Reimer, Ph.D. Geologist Denver, CO GeoMike5@att.net January 7, 2025 From:Gladys shade To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan for Big Island Date:Thursday, January 16, 2025 9:56:57 AM I oppose the plan as it stands now. Too much control by the county governments to take our lands! And where will the Hawaiian Homelands be?? Will the county take over those too! Please do not pass this! Alex Shade Kurtistown HI Sent from my iPhone From:Live Peace Hawaii To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Fwd: Testimony ~ UA MAU KE"EA O KA AI"NA I KA"PONO The life of the land is perpetuated in Righteousness Date:Thursday, January 16, 2025 8:17:27 AM ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Live Peace Hawaii <slwsurfing@gmail.com>Date: Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 7:47 AM Subject: Testimony ~ UA MAU KE'EA O KA AI'NA I KA'PONO The life of the land isperpetuated in Righteousness To: CouncilTestimony@HawaiiCounty.Gov <counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov> UA MAU KE'EA O KA AI'NA I KA'PONO The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness My suffering from Organophosphate / Pesticide poisoning disables me fromAttendance at these crutial meetings. “Choose ye this day whom you will serve.”No More , land grabs, genocide, foreign land deals ~ SMART ( Not so much w burning Cars & meters) Cities, Etc. “KEEP KONA ~ Country “ And all Our Still recoverable Aina ALL MY Aloha,SharOn Willeford ( Retired DOE 3rd grade teacher ) From:Noa Caiserman To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimomy@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Aloha Commissioners Date:Friday, January 24, 2025 3:41:29 PM The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns:There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NOclimate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entire world canhave input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are local BigIsland farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live on Big Island or haveproperty 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 anyinitiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered.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. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will be changedfrom resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their property value and opensthe door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's propertyvalue is not okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be further researched. Thereare over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf showing the scientist andwhat country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for Good Morning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and othermedia outlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is the investors, inrenewable energy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forward withoutthat? Hilo is 22% of the island.1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land managementpractices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands forthe 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 topursing taking people's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focusedon people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite!This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island! We need toturn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou, has created an AgVillages plan. Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: 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 can see it in thepdf below:Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. SincerelyNoa Caiserman From:Martin Dixon To:WPCtestimony Subject:2045 General Plan Date:Sunday, January 26, 2025 6:06:08 PM To whom this may concern, I am writing as a resident of Hawai’i Island, in complete opposition to this plan. It isoverreaching and unnecessary. Sincerely, Martin Dixon Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James Subject:General Plan Direct Edits from 5x award winning author here! Date:Sunday, January 26, 2025 4:55:42 PM Aloha Planning Commissioners and County Council Members, I am a 5-time award winning author. I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm a professional researcher!That is what I do. I'm sending the exact areas that we the people are concerned with. It seems that you are ignoring ourwishes to recommend this plan NOT go through. That is not okay. The Leeward Chair wants the exact pages that we have issues with so here are our concerns again, asI've already sent this once: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16sz0Uug8jN3zT_MisDzLIW4jBWltEqqP0UrfMPWYpQo/edit?tab=t.0 My question to you is who do you work for? I stated numerous times that not one person in over 6-months has stepped forward saying theyworked on this plan and support it in its entirety. That is a problem! Please do what is right and honor the wishes of those you've volunteered to serve and recommendthis plan not go through. We are literally screwed if you don't. Mahalo nui loa, Michelle Melendez 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here Award winning Book: "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Rebecca MelendezTo:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony; cdp@hawaii.gov; Planning General Plan; Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, JamesSubject:The Big Island General Plan TestimonyDate:Monday, January 27, 2025 2:42:33 PM 100% of the Community has been AGAINST this General Plan at the in person meetings. For one, this plan was NOT written for ordinary citizens to understand. In some of its explanations, it does NOT use the exact title but abbreviations, which it does NOT explain. It does NOT FULLY explain their "Master Plans" or "Impact Ordinances Fees," and it does NOT make many other items clear in this General Plan. This General Plan should be clear, and it's NOT. It feels very SHADY and brings feelings of CORRUPTION, and there are links that show our rights could be taken away if this General Plan is implemented. The 2045 General Plan looks to want to do all of this: As you will see below the General Plan talks about "Clustering" us into "PUD" living through their TDR Program that will, "When the Government undertakes compulsory acquisition of individual land parcels for creating infrastructural projects... https://www.hdfc.com/blog/property-and-real-estate/transferable-development-rights-tdr-concept Page 79 9.3 Zoning, subdivision, and other applicable ordinances shall provide for and protect open space areas. What does the county mean by “other applicable ordinances”? Because an Ordinance is “a law or rule made by a government or authority” What rules does the county want to put on ALL of us because they are not explaining this in their GP. The above info was taken from this site: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ordinance 9.4 Support mechanisms, such as PUD and Cluster Plan Development (CPD), that group parcel density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds. The GP DOES NOT explain what a PUD means. Taken from this site: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/what-is-a-planned-unit-development/ "A planned unit development, or PUD, is a community of single-family homes, and sometimes condos or townhomes, where every homeowner belongs to a homeowners association (HOA)." Taken from this site: https://www.zillow.com/learn/what_is_pud/ "To most home shoppers, a planned unit development (PUD) may look like a single-family home. But the legal structure for a PUD is more similar to that of a condo and can impact the mortgage process." "Again, you’ll need to read all these documents to determine whether that specific PUD is right for you. And remember, all PUDs are different, so each one will have its own set of rules and restrictions." 9.6 In the review of discretionary permits, consider land use compatibility to ensure proximate compatible and complementary uses and appropriate mitigation measures. What does the above sentence mean? Why isn't the General Plan written for ordinary citizens to understand? It seems they want to "ensure proximate compatible and complementary uses and appropriate mitigation measures." What is "proximate compatible"? What are the "appropriate mitigation measure"? 9.a Develop a process for County-initiated State land use boundary reclassification to best align State Land Use with County long-range plans. The County has given letters to change Land Use Titles all over the Big Island. Does this mean the State wants to align with with the County and wants to "Develop a process for County-initiated State land use boundary reclassification to best alignState Land Use with County long-range plans." Is this allowing them to change land use boundaries through their "reclassification" on their maps? Why are they trying to develop a process for the County to reclassify State land use boundaries? What are the County long-range plans? Pages 80, 82 & 87 mention the TDR Program and THEY DO NOT EXPLAIN THIS PROGRAM 9.d Define the types of open space that are sought to be protected and establish standards to be applied to ensure its protection. Will this definition be able to take private lands away? 9.e Conduct a review and re-evaluation of the real property tax structure to simplify and assure compatibility with land use goals and policies What are their "goals and polices"? 9.f Study the feasibility, issues, and opportunities related to the development of a TDR program to strategically preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent with the land use pattern in accordance with the General Plan Land UseMaps. The General Plan doesn't explain what TDR means. It is the Transfer of Development Rights. Taken from site: https://www.hdfc.com/blog/property-and-real-estate/transferable-development-rights-tdr-concept "When the Government undertakes compulsory acquisition of individual land parcels for creating infrastructural projects, it is required to compensate the land owners. The compensation provided by the Government is usually lower than themarket rate, and hence they introduced the concept of Transferable Development Rights. These rights are obtained in the form of certificates, which the owner can use for himself or can trade in the market for cash." Taken from site: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/highlands/transfer-development-rights.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2oM9RMwZPEYeQr6caNxt8RgLcBN3sJxBgaEBt7qO6VzR_wnGkmCnSWreE_aem_1ZCug_WZHv82MykEkHL3qw "A TDR program seeks to preserve landowners' asset value by moving the right to build a house from a location where development is prohibited (e.g., for environmental reasons) to a location where development is encouraged." The GP looks to give the full rights over Big Island land because it is the county that will decide the “environmental reasons” for incorporating land into the TDR program, which aims to give them full control over all the lands on Big Island and tellus where we can live by “prohibiting” areas from development. "In the place where development is encouraged under TDR, zoning is changed to permit more units to be built." This sentence explains that a TDR program builds "units" and gives the county full rights to tell people where they can and cannotbuild homes through their TDR program. “Because the money from this change in zoning is a windfall to current landowners in the development zone, the state is justified in laying claim to this money and turning it over to people whose development rights were taken away as a result ofthe environmental regulation.” General Plan Page 87 Everything below is to enforce their TDR program that they are not explaining. 13.1 Encourage flexibility in the design of residential sites, buildings, and related facilities to achieve a diversity of socio-economic housing mix and innovative means of meeting the market requirements. 13.2 Prioritize increase in density, rehabilitation, and redevelopment within existing zoned urban areas already served by basic infrastructure, or close to such areas. 13.4 Encourage the rehabilitation and/or utilization of maximum density in multi-family residential areas. 13.8 Focus on medium- and high-density residential and commercial uses in communities that can sustain a higher intensity of uses and where consistent with General Plan Land Use Map and existing town character 13.9 Support the rezoning of land to multiple residential near places of employment, retail, utilities, and educational, recreational, cultural, and public facilities. This site https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/DocView.aspx?dbid=1&id=56156, click on Hawai‘i Land Use Regulatory System explains that Land Use Boundaries are initially set by the State Land Use Commissioner and can be changed by County Council Ordinances, which is what this General Plan seems to be trying to do to land all over Big Island. The links above also state, "the law also allows the state to conduct a period boundary review." The GP Land Use Map has already sent letters to private landowners saying they have “Rezoned” their Land Use Titles. Some of these people have been at the meetings, saying that their Land Use Titles are now recreation lands that the landowner cannot pass on to their family or sell. Who gives the county this right to change Land Use Titles? How is this legal? PLEASE OPPOSE THIS FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMUNITY RIGHTS TO OWN LAND. 2045 General Plan Page 149 s 30.1 Treat broadband access as a basic utility that is available to all communities. The county doesn’t explain that “broadband” is 5G 22 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Broadband Connection. Broadband definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband "In telecommunications, broadband or high speed is the wide-bandwidth data transmission that exploits signals at a wide spread of frequencies or several different simultaneous frequencies, and is used in fast Internet access. The transmission medium can be coaxial cable, optical fiber, wireless Internet (radio), twisted pair cable, or satellite." The term “broadband” refers to high-speed and high-bandwidth communication infrastructure. “Broadband is the transmission of high-quality data of wide bandwidth. In its simplest form, it is a high-speed internet connection that is always on. Broadband connections include Wi-Fi, DSLs, fiber, and satellites.” Taken from this site:https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/broadband.asp Broadband will always be on. The county has NOT researched the health risks of this. 30.2 Develop and support a program of free, public-use broadband services at appropriate County-owned facilities, mass transit facilities, and other community anchor institutions. What do they mean by “community anchor institutions”? What kind of institution do they want to create? 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart grid development The county doesn’t mention wanting to turn the Big Island into a Smart City, and implementing a Smart Grid is the first step in this process. https://smartgrid.ieee.org/resources?cafid=0&id=223 “A smart grid alone does three things. First, it modernizes power systems through self-healing designs, automation, remote monitoring and control… Thus, a smart grid sits at the heart of the smart city, which cannot fully exist without it”. Also, a Smart Grid will allow them to have more control through “remote monitoring,” which will fully take our privacy away. Smart Grid Info: https://minnovation.com.au/smart-cities-2/disadvantages-of-smart-cities-potential-challenges-and-concerns/ “Privacy and Data Security:Smart cities rely heavily on the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data from sensors, cameras, and connected devices. This data is crucial for optimizing city operations and services. However, the extensive data gathering raises concerns about privacy infringement and data security. Citizens worry about their personal information being accessed or misused.” What are Smart Grids and Smart Cities? The county does not explain this in the General Plan. It looks like they are hoping no one will research it. https://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Smart-Grid.html 30.3 Collaborate with utility companies to incentivize the underground siting of electrical and telecommunications facilities within public rights-of-way 30.4 Continuously improve the use of broadband communications and digital technology to educate and provide public services with a focus on digital access. 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in the Code. The above sentences are confusing because it looks like the county doesn’t want us to understand that to create “telecommunications facilities fully,” they must put Cable underground; hence, they use the wording “ underground siting.” So, we don’t fully understand the consequences of laying cable under our streets. They seem to want to confuse us, because “sitting” sounds better than causing serious traffic to dig up all the roads to lay down this kind of cable all over the Big Island, which will cost billions. Page 150 30.b Develop standards for the siting and construction of wireless telecommunication facilities. This site explains what the General Plan doesn't explain about "siting and construction" https://primex.com/fiber-optic-internet-going-underground/: "The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home technology has internet service providers (ISPs) and integrators on the hunt for the most effective methods of broadband delivery for many scenarios. "The cable will be closer to the surface and more vulnerable to damage. In this case, a more expensive cable that can withstand contact will be required. Cables buried in clay will also need to be of higher quality because the clay can hold stonesand push them against the cable. In clay, the trench will also need to be much deeper. In developed areas, the existing infrastructure can be problematic. Digging through concrete sidewalks and roads is costly and disruptive." The traffic on Big Island has been increasing every month, and they want to dig up our two lane roads to "sit" their "broadband infrastructure'? THEY ARE NOT ADDRESS INFRASTRACTURE ISSUES ON ISLAND. This site explains that laying cable underground https://pulsefibre.co.uk/2023/06/15/when-more-is-less-the-risks-and-downsides-of-overbuild/ “Fibre overbuilds in the 21st century are becoming a widespread problem, with more fibre cable being laid on streets than can ever be utilised by the residents. Not only does this often cause mayhem on the roads, with closures and roadworksslowing traffic, but Fibre overbuilds can lead to countless negative effects on the environment, and the eventual rise in cost to the consumer and developer.” The county is not focusing on the island’s issues, like the fact we already have serious traffic issues. They want to create more traffic problems by laying down fibre cable that will create a "Broadband/Smart Grid," hence a Smart City, and they areexplaining this by using minimal wording to confuse and obscure their true intentions. The county is not acknowledging that Hawai’i Electric does NOT have the kind of power a Smart Grid needs, which will add to the island's already-existing power issues. News Article: https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/an-update-on-hawaii-island-power-generation "An update on Hawaii Island power generation – how you can help ..there’s no one to call on for backup - we’re on our own. That’s why we will need everyone to work together over the next month, and possibly longer, to conserve electricity. We are extremely tight on what we call our generation margin, the margin between the demand for electricity and our ability to supply it. This demand typically peaks on weekdays between 5 and 9 p.m. and that’s when the margin is most critical.” The county has not provided any researched information on the health risks to people, animals, and the environment from “Broadband” which will always be on underground, and all over Big Island. Electronics 360 Article: https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/11104/the-dangers-that-come-with-a-smart-grid Re: The Dangers That Come with a Smart Grid#1John Endres2018-Feb-23 2:31 PM“One very critical danger that comes with a "smart grid" was not mentioned: the adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields. Current estimates of people experiencing adverse health effects from wireless technology hover at around 5%--Iam one of them. After the installation of a water utility smart meter at my place of work, I experienced an escalation of symptoms (over time) that started with headaches and ultimately culminated in a seizure (I lost control of my legs). One monthprior to the smart meter installation I had a complete annual physical and was given a clean bill of health. I underwent a barrage of medical tests after a week of experiencing health symptoms (thyroid, EEG, MRI, etc.) and everything was normal. Idid begin to feel some of the painful head and eye sensations (that I would feel near wireless sources) at the end of the MRI”. The county does not acknowledge the health risks associated with their “Broadband/Smart Grid” plan, all the associated issues due to putting the fibre cables underground, or the fact that it will cost billions to create. They worded everything intheir General Plan to sound like it would benefit everyone, and it wouldn’t! 30.9 Alleviate barriers and assist broadband projects with navigating through the regulatory permitting process. They say “Alleviate barriers and assist broadband projects” are the barriers health regulations because the broadband will be on all the time? What are the barriers the county is wanting to alleviate to create their broadband projects? What is their "regulatory permitting process."? The county mentions Broadband and a Smart Grid is the county also planning for an increase in cell towers? If so have they researched health issues because of cell towers? There are cell towers on island where the top's are pointing straight at HWY's, homes, commercial areas, retirement homes…Because the island is mountainous, the tops of these cell towers are only a few feet from these areas. These areas aregetting the full blast of the radiation. Has the county looked into the health risks of this cell towers? Will they be allowing more towers to do this to our community? On Palani Rd. and Queen K HWY, there are two cell towers whose tops are only a few feet from the HWY. On Hualalai Rd., there is a cell tower facing a retirement home and it’s less than 100 ft away. In Hawi town, there is a cell tower at a gas station. The top of the tower is directly across from residential homes. Has the county checked these places to do any research on whether people are being affected by cell tower radiation before they keep allowing and agreeing to more cell towers? Physicians For Safe Technology Article: https://mdsafetech.org/cell-tower-health-effects/ “Overall results of this review show three types of effects by base station antennas on the health of people: radiofrequency sickness (RS), cancer (C) and changes in biochemical parameters (CBP). Considering all the studies reviewed globally (n =38), 73.6% (28/38) showed effects: 73.9% (17/23) for radiofrequency sickness, 76.9% (10/13) for cancer and 75.0% (6/8) for changes in biochemical parameters...Of special importance are the studies performed on animals or trees near base stationantennas that cannot be aware of their proximity and to which psychosomatic effects can never be attributed.” Will there be any health and safety research and studies on what a safe distance and a safe number of cell towers should be for human bodies, trees, and animals? 30.i Pursue partnerships and funding for broadband initiatives and deployments 30.j Support the coordination of infrastructure projects between the public and private sectors to create areas for the deployment of broadband zones 30.k Seek federal and other opportunities for the funding of broadband infrastructure. The above information from their General Plan shows that the county seriously wants Broadband on this island. It would cause serious traffic because of having to dig up roads to lay "sit" cable, and they say nothing about doing any research on thehealth risks to people, animals, and the environment because these cables will be on all the time. 30.l Support the State to develop a broadband dashboard to track progress and gaps that will inform decision-making in economic development on Hawaiʻi Island. Do they want to track gaps so they can keep laying out more cable underground that will cause more traffic? What does the above 30.I mean? 30.m Foster public-private partnerships to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, including community networks. The people that would support this are the people who would make money from this. Where is the health and safety research for this? It's NOT in their General Plan. General Plan Page 87 13.13 Support master planning by public and private institutions and landowners which emphasize TOD, affordable housing, and mixed-use development. TOD - Transit- Orientated Development (I had to research what TOD meant because I didn’t see it the GP) What is their “Master Planning” they want to support? I don’t see any information on this. What do they mean by public and private institutions? Page 117 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. What is their “Complete Streets Ordinance”? They seem to be adding more rules, laws, and regulations, and are not fully explaining what they want to implement. General Plan Page 87 13.10 Development of TODs and TNDs are encouraged within locations of the urban centers shown on the General Plan Land Use Map. These locations are approximate and become fixed during rezoning. TNDs - Traditional Neighborhood Development TOD - Transit- Orientated Development They don't explain what these developments are. What would they look like? What are the positives and the negatives of these developments? This is a comment from a TOD policy from San Antonio: https://www.saspeakup.com/tod#tab-54195 "Overreaching and Too Vast in Scope: The plan covers an unnecessarily large area, extending far beyond what is reasonable for a transit-oriented development. By attempting to include vast tracts of land, it overreaches, applying policies to areasthat are not appropriate or well-suited for the type of development envisioned. This broad application dilutes the effectiveness of the plan and places undue pressure on neighborhoods that may not be prepared for such changes." What is the county’s TOD plan? They don’t mention their plan and their “ordinances” for it, if any. The island needs reliable buses. Where is their plan for buses? General Plan Page 86 “The Urban Growth Areas (UGA) include highdensity Transit Oriented Development (TOD), medium-density Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), and low-density Urban Neighborhood Centers. These centers provide physical, social,governmental, and economic concentrations and easier access to services, recreation, and employment activities.” They never mention their exact plan for implementing a TOD plan on page 86. They don't give any ideas of how they will increase public transportation. The bus system has been breaking down for years and is rarely on time. They are not clear on what they mean by this at all. They say, "are encouraged." Big Island's public transportation needs to be addressed. How can the island create better public transportation? They don't explain how they want to help public transportation. Big Island's infrastructure also needs to be seriously addressed because traffic is increasing monthly without any sign of helping the infrastructure to accommodate the increase in traffic. How can they help traffic infrastructure with a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other, with many of our roads? They don't offer any ideas. This is what I found for to try and understand what they want to implement Transit-Oriented Development https://fifthave.ca/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-transit-oriented-developments/ 1. Decreased Affordability and Property Values: The increased demand for housing in TOD areas may lead to rising property values and rental costs, potentially displacing existing low-income residents. 2. Displacement of Marginalized Communities: Gentrification can occur in TOD neighborhoods, pushing out long-time residents and causing social and economic disruptions. 3. Social and Cultural Homogenization: The emphasis on mixed-use developments might inadvertently lead to the homogenization of local cultures and businesses, eroding the unique character of the community. 4. Increased Pressure on Infrastructure: High-density developments can strain existing infrastructure, such as transportation networks, water, and sanitation systems, necessitating costly upgrades. 5. Unequal Distribution of Benefits: Without inclusive planning and involvement of all stakeholders, the benefits of TOD might disproportionately favor certain segments of the population. General Plan Page 87 13.13 Support master planning by public and private institutions and landowners which emphasize TOD, affordable housing, and mixed-use development. What is their "Master Plan"? Why should it be supported? Why aren’t they clear on all their plans and ordinances? Page 89 13.44 The development or designation of new resort areas should complement the character of the area; protect the environment and natural beauty; respect existing lifestyles, cultural practices, and cultural resources; and provide shoreline public access. Page 142 28.11 The County shall ensure that golf course developments develop and implement grading and site preparation plans to... There are Notification Signs for development Applications all over the island, and the Big Island needs homes for its residents. It does NOT need more resorts and golf course developments because the island is having resource issues with thedevelopments here now, and many more years of already-approved developments have not been completed yet. Why is the General Plan approving more resorts and golf courses when the island's is having a hard time providing resources for all the developments that are here now, and there are years worth of developments that have already been approved. Please read this petition: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit The West Hawai’i Sanitary Landfill, the only remaining landfill on the Big Island, is forecast to reach capacity within the next 20 to 25 years." https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/17/big-island-now-poll-no-27-results-more- than-one-solution-needed-to-help-extend-life-of-west-hawaii-landfill/ “Hawaiʻi Water Supply Closely Monitored As Severe Drought Continues by Big Island Video Newson Nov 6, 2023 at 3:28 pm STORY SUMMARY HAWAIʻI COUNTY - Officials say a special focus will be placed on the South Kohala Water System, which ismore susceptible to drought conditions.” https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/11/06/water-supply-closely-monitored-as-hawai%CA%BBi-under-severe-drought/ HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators becameunavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.”https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ Page 90 13.e Amend Zoning Code to:i. Establish a TOD overlay zone project district with a minimum size of 15 acres.ii. Create a TND overlay zone for existing zoned lands within identified residential and commercial zoning districts.iii. Allow for residential uses in ML and MCX zoning districts.iv. Support innovative uses of alternative energy, agriculture, aquaculture, and others, in MCX zoning district What exactly does “Establish a TOD overlay zone project district with a minimum size of 15 acres” mean? What does a "TND overlay zone" look like? What does ML and MCX stand for? These are not in their glossary, and I can't find them in the GP or online. This General Plan is NOT CLEAR AND NEEDS TO BE OPPOSED, IF NOT ONLY FOR THE REASON THAT IT IS NOT CLEAR. Page 98 14.1 Support the State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with the General Plan Rural designation. What is the General Plan Rural Designation? The General Plan changes High-End Land Use Titles, for example Hokulia Lands from "Agriculture" to "Rural". This will allow this High-End developer to by pass things such as the Environmental Impact Statement and this is NOT good for the land orthe community. Please OPPOSE ALL HIGH-END DEVELOPERS LAND USE TITLE CHANGES THAT THE COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE TO "RURAL" ALL WHILE CHANGING PRIVATE LANDS TO RECREATION THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THE PRIVATE LAND OWNER TO PASS THEIR LAND TO FAMILY OR SELL IT IN THE FUTURE. 14.2 Support reclassification/rezoning of appropriate General Plan Rural designated areas where an intermediate land use and a well-defined buffer between Urban and Productive Agricultural areas are consistent with the surrounding uses andrural character. What is the "reclassification/rezoning of appropriate General Plan Rural designated..."? They are changing Land Use Titles in the GP and that NEEDS TO BE OPPOSED! 4.4 Rural-style residential-agricultural developments, such as new small-scale rural communities or extensions of existing rural communities, should be incentivized to cluster in appropriate locations. They want to "cluster" residents because the word "cluster" is used many times in this General Plan. What does this mean exactly? 14.b Amend the zoning districts currently listed as Family Agricultural District (FA) and the Residential and Agricultural Districts (RA) to be consistent with the Rural designation and to allow for home occupations that do not negatively impact ruralcharacter. Would this mean the county would have the right not to approve homes on "Rural Designated" lands if they feel it can “negatively impact rural character”? Are they over-reaching their control? Page 102 15.f Update the Real Property Tax Code for agricultural land uses that result in actual production or other public benefits, such as native forestry and the ecosystem services that result from well managed rangelands. What does this mean? Will they increase taxes? We need farmers to want to work and afford life without increased taxes. 15.g Amend the Zoning Code to require Plan Approval for commercial open area recreational uses in the Agricultural District. How do they want to Amend the Zoning Code? 15.i Develop standards and guidelines for buffer areas located adjacent to agricultural lands. What does this mean? What kind of standards and guidelines do they want to implement? Page 108 16.6 Provide for present traffic and future demands, including the development of mass transit programs for high-growth areas by both the private and public sectors. How will they do this? Traffic keeps increasing monthly, and the roads are incredibly narrow, with a cliff on one side and a mountain on the other in many different areas all over the island. Where is their plan for this? Page 111 17.4 Land use applications shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the County’s open space network. Who decides what a living corridor is? Is this the county's way of taking private land areas away? 17.5 Ensure that existing active living corridors that are publicly owned or available by easement are properly identified and that their access elements are secured and documented. b) “Acceptance” by the County of the responsibilities detailed in the grant of easements should require County Council action and a dedicated funding source. What does b) mean exactly? What is the "grant of easements"? Page 116 9.2 Increase arterial capacity through prioritization of alternative means of transportation, such as mass transit, bicycle, and pedestrian systems. What does this mean? What is their plan? How will they make "prioritization of alternative means of transportation"? Will we be fined or something if we don’t follow their “alternative means of transportation”? 19.6 Use traffic demand management to aid in reducing traffic congestion by targeting an increase of active transportation mode share to 10 percent (bicycling, walking, micro-mobility) What do they mean by "Use traffic demand management to aid in reducing traffic congestion"? Will they somehow limit cars? 19.7 Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts (e.g. the level of service) and achieve sustainability and demand management goals. How are they going to “reduce vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts”? Will we lose are right to travel? 19.a Continue to adopt the County Street design manual as the County’s complete street design program/policy. 19.b Amend the County Code to incorporate complete street design. What is the “County Street design manual”? I don’t see this information in the General Plan. 19.d Identify all roles for interdepartmental collaboration in delivering a truly multimodal transportation system. What do they mean exactly? Page 117 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. What is a "Complete Streets ordinance"? Another regulation? Page 119 22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles. This needs to be opposed because the Big Island has power issues and cannot handle all its current power needs. It does not have extra power to connect many electric vehicles, which will only add to its power issues. Plus, if there is a big storm and we lose power, those electric cars cannot run, their batteries do not decompose, and the island needs a new way to take care of rubbish because there is only one landfill on the island. These cars will only add to themany issues the island already has. “Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years of capacity left to take in trash. But the island still wrestles with significant issues like plastic products that are no longer beingrecycled.” https://www.waste360.com/landfill/hawaii-deals-with-burgeoning-waste-management-problem "Hawaiian Electric is reporting that several large generators on the Big Island are experiencing a range of issues and may lead to the need for rolling outages if supply does not meet demand."https://www.reddit.com/r/BigIsland/comments/1bnuar3/hawaiian_electric_is_reporting_that_several_large/?rdt=52660 Page 130 25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. How will "clustering developments" reduce the cost of utilities? We all use the same power whether we live clustered up, like the county wants, or not. The solution to help power the island is not "clustering" everyone. It is asking homeowners/resorts/vacation rentals to purchase solar panels, use wind turbines, or use other natural ways to create their own power. If everyone steps up, we can allmake good chances together. This petition offers other solutions https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit 25.6 Develop short- and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. What are " short- and long-range capital improvement programs"? 25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. What is their “Asset Management Program”? 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. What is an "Impact Fees Ordinance"? More regulations? Page 132 26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. What do they consider “the most valuable end-use” for water? The Rosewood Resort waters it's white coral road to keep the dust down. They use hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons to water their road, even when there are signs to conserve water. Has the county looked at the resort's wasteful water use? Are the resort's water use more “valuable” than residence use? Shouldn’t the county have some "ordinance" against wasteful water in the resorts because we are on an island? Why isn’t this in their General Plan? 26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+ units) in the North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona, and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation, recharge, and reusemeasures to reduce the water footprint. How can 200+ units be water-neutral? Why is the county encouraging big developments when the island has resource issues with developments that are already here? Are they NOT paying attention to island resources? 26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. What does this mean, “for private water systems”? Are they planning private water systems used only by private communities or resorts? Why hasn’t the county considered new inventions to help the island’s water issues? For example, inventions that capture grey water to use in toilets https://ecofriend.com/innovative-products-designed-capture-reuse-gray-water.html. I’m sure many new inventions could help the island if they only start looking for them. Page 133 26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield, present and future demand, alternative sources of water, guidelines, and policies for the issuing of water commitments. What is their “water master plan”? 26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial, industrial, and residential properties. What would “management guidelines” be? Would resorts be prioritized over residences? Page 137 27.6 Pollution shall be prevented, abated, and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal, State, and County standards What pollution? What are the Federal, State, and County standards, and how would they enforce them? Developments pollute nearby water; will new developments be subjected to this? Because developments shouldn’t pollute nearby water and it’s scientifically proven that they do. https://bigislandsupport.com/kbayinfo/ This would be Kamehameha Schools Bungalow Resort Development, and if it goes through, it will pollute Keauhou Bay. Will the county enforce pollution standards on them? They should. 27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas (UGA) with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. 27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion, improvements, and new development 27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies, prevent accidental leaks or spills, and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting naturalresources. They don’t mention the pollution that cesspools are causing daily. People can use many kinds of toilets to stop using cesspools today if only the county would approve this. Why hasn’t the county considered new inventive toilets to help the wastewater system? And some of these toilets can also save on water. Like the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet to help stop pollution from cesspools and help with the wastewater system? https://cinderellaeco.com/en-us There are many new inventive toilets these days that can help the island’s wastewater system, and the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet can also help conserve water. Page 138 27.15 Prioritize the use of gray water in areas connected to County water and not connected to County wastewater. Why doesn’t the county start looking for new inventions to help the island instead of traditional sources when the island’s population is steadily growing and needs new ideas to help? They could start considering using inventions like these: https://ecofriend.com/innovative-products-designed-capture-reuse-gray-water.html https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/gray-water-clean-up-yoram-cohen-271642 https://www.greenprophet.com/2015/04/10-inventions-to-save-earths-water/ 27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. 27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district (CFD) or tax increment financing (TIF) to aid in implementation. What would be their priority? Resorts over Residence? Big Island ‘Acute Problems’ Plaguing Big Island’s Wastewater Treatment Systems Prompt EPA Crackdown https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/acute-problems-plaguing-big-islands-wastewater-treatment-systems-prompt-epa-crackdown/ Why doesn’t the county start considering the Cinderella Incinerator toilet or other inventions to help with the wastewater treatment issues, especially when this has been a serious issue for years? https://cinderellaeco.com/en-us 27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. What is this loan program? Is the island going into more debt because of it? 27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water model fee structure). 27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems. Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries, urban zoning and density, population trends andanticipated growth, health/safety, and environmental factors 27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. If the county starts considering new inventions and types of waste treatment toilets, like the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet, wastewater treatment costs would be considerably lowered. Why don’t they do this? Page 139 27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. Why doesn’t the county start to consider using grey water inventions? https://www.environmental-expert.com/articles/the-power-of-greywater-recycling-a-sustainable-solution-for-the-future-1138822 Page 142 28.11 The County shall ensure that golf course developments develop and implement grading and site preparation plans to: Why is the county still considering more golf courses when the island has water, power, and landfill issues…? Page 143 28.b Conduct a feasibility study to create a County Stormwater Utility before the County reaches MS4 requirements. 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low-impact development. 28.d Develop drainage master plans from a watershed perspective that considers non-structural alternatives, minimizes channelization, protects wetlands that serve drainage functions, coordinates the regulation of construction and agriculturaloperation, and encourages the establishment of floodplains as public greenways. Why doesn’t the county start looking at new, innovative drainage solutions for the island? https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/90645-innovative-solutions-for-effective-storm-water-management-in-urban-environments Page 155 31.a Create an asset management program. 31.c Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of County services and facilities. What would be an “asset management program”? What is an “Impact Fees Ordinance”? Another regulation? Page 162 33.2 Implement waste stream technology, such as recycling and upcycling and waste-to-energy to reduce the flow of refuse deposited in landfills. Why doesn’t the county start looking at how countries who have a high population are dealing with their rubbish, to get other ideas that could help the island? 33.9 Ensure that redesign plans for landfill and transfer stations provide adequate space for Resource Recovery (RR) Stations. How would they do this? 33.11 Site new solid waste/resource recovery facilities in appropriate areas that serve the needs of population centers and minimize and mitigate negative impacts on the environment or surrounding neighborhood. 33.12 Reduce illegal dumping and littering. 33.13 Minimize the amount of waste generated by County facilities. 33.a Evaluate and amend the County Code to integrate strategies to maximize landfill diversion and handle materials: Where is the information for all of the above? How would they do these things? Has the county ever looked into new innovative ways to deal with rubbish: "Benefits of waste-to-energyWaste-to-energy technology offers an alternative to landfills, providing a cleaner, more efficient way of disposing of waste while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. " https://biotrux.com/what-can-we-use-instead-of-landfills/Different Alternative to landfill https://bettermeetsreality.com/the-different-alternatives-to-landfill-waste-management-options/ Top 29 countries that have been efficient in minimizing waste https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/which-countries-are-the-most-efficient-at-minimising-waste/96037/#:~:text=Switzerland%20have%20100%25%20waste%20recovery%2C%20despite%20being%20in,while%20the%20other%2047%25%20is%20incinerated%20for%20energy Page 171 35.f Update the County of Hawaiʻi Recreation Plan to reflect newly identified recreational priorities. The county has sent out letters changing private Land Use Titles to recreational land. Does this mean they will be looking for more lands to change their Land Use Titles into recreational lands, thereby taking their property away by not allowingthem to pass it down to family or sell it? Why is it legal for the county to take private lands away from people to give their lands to recreation? I heard these people would still have to pay the property tax on their land, which the county wants to turn into recreational land, is this going to happen? From this site https://www.findlaw.com/realestate/land-use-laws.html "Eminent Domain Eminent domain is the right of a government entity to take private property for public use with payment of compensation for the land. Different government bodies have different criteria. But generally, the government must be able to prove a compelling reason for its planned use..." In the General Plan it states the county will be able to make changes for "environmental reasons" and anyone can make up "environmental reasons" to do things. How will this be legal for them to change Private Land Use Titles ALL OVER BIG ISLAND? 35.i Develop best management practices for the development and maintenance of golf courses in collaboration with government, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders. Golf courses use a lot of poisons to keep their lands weed-free, and these poisons runoff into the ocean, causing algae blooms and other pollutions. Will the county be addressing this? 35.r Develop and implement a cemeteries master plan for the siting of future cemeteries. What is their “cemetery master plan”? Pag 176 36.b Develop a medical center TOD master plan and rezone it as a Regional Center TOD. What is the "TOD master plan” and how will they “rezone” it? Page 182 37.3 Prioritize new housing including the missing middle in or near mixed-use developments, urban growth areas with infrastructure, and near existing and proposed transit centers. 37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UGB) should be prioritized for residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside the UGB are converted into urban uses 37.c Assess and amend the land use and building regulations and explore fiscal opportunities to support universal design principles and ADA accessibility for more physically accessible housing. They talk about more and more developing and yet, have they sincerely looked at Big Island resource issues today? Have they sincerely looked at all the development that has already been approved for years to come and incorporated into the island's resources, because the island is having serious resource issues right now. How will all this future development that's in their General Plan affect the island's resources? Where is this researched information? The island’s resources need to be addressed because many years in the making, developments have been approved to build more homes, and all of the island's resources are having serious issues today. Before prioritizing even more developments such as resorts, golf courses... that is in their General Plan for future development, and before the years’ worth of homes that have already been approved have been developed, the island's resourcesneed to be addressed so that everyone will have power, water, a place to put their rubbish, the traffic needs to be addressed, wastewater needs address... Where is all the research to increase the island's resources for all these new developments that are in the General Plan? Please read this petition that explains Big Island resources:https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit Page 183 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. What are they going to monitor, and why? Are they taking our privacy away? Page 184 39.8 Encourage the development of workforce housing within or near urban growth areas and employment centers and require large new developments that create a demand for housing to provide affordable workforce housing. Resorts on the island hire and bring in people from outside of the country. Then they house them. This takes away homes and jobs from locals. Why doesn’t the county prioritize these jobs and homes for locals? Why don’t the resorts on the islandhire locals who are already here and need jobs and homes? Page 190 42.c Develop and adopt an impact fees ordinance that considers district specific needs and excludes urban core areas where infill is encouraged. What exactly does this mean? What are “impact fees ordinance” and “infill is encouraged” mean? 42.d Develop a framework for a transition plan for changes in administrative leadership to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of operations. Why does the county need a “transition plan for changes in administrative leadership”? What does this have to do with the GP. Shouldn’t they already have a plan? Page 199 44.f Partner with business associations, realtors, and the chamber of commerce to recruit small-scale manufacturers to establish retail locations in village and town centers to support reinvestment and match potential tenants with locallandowners. The shops in Kailua Kona town have trouble staying open because all the private parking lots are overcharging for parking. Why isn’t the county addressing this issue instead of wanting to bring in more businesses that won’t be able to survivebecause private parking is taking a lot of money away from businesses? The county NEEDS to answer ALL of these questions because they are NOT clear in what they are saying they want to do in their 2045 GP, and this plan CAN NOT go any further UNLESS WE ALL FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR PLAN IS! The county NEEDS to TAKE OUT ALL MENTION OF THE TDR Program because it violates our rights to live how and where we want. The county NEEDS TO TAKE OUT ALL MENTION OF "Broadband/Smart Grid" and start solving traffic issues, water, power, landfill issues, and because this will cost billions, and add a lot more problems to the Big Island. I do not understand how to use their map that shows all the changes they want to make on the island and all the Land Use Titles they have changed to private lands. Can you figure out their map and see all their changes? I have heard the voices of people in person at the meetings who have received letters that are changing their Land Use Titles. This is not right because land changed to recreation will make it so the owner cannot pass their land on, or sell it. Please look at their map because there are high-end developers' Land that the county has changed their Land Titles so they can develop their lands easily, without having to do Environmental Impact Studies, and this is not safe for the island, or thecommunity. Zendo Kern has helped high-end developers many times on the island. This planning director favors developers rather than the preservation of the land and community voices. For example, 18,554 people signed a petition to Save Punalu’u from development. Hundreds of Hawaiian residents protested the housing project in Punalu’u, and still, “Planning Director Zendo Kern has recommended that the commissiongreenlight the development, writing in his 17-page report to the panel that the project will not have any substantial adverse environmental or ecological effect” provided that best management practices are used to mitigate any impacts. Kern recommended moving ahead without making the developers prepare an updated environmental impact statement or environmental assessment because the project did not meet the criteria set out in state law for such a requirement.” This man is not for conserving the land, nor does he support community voices. Please look at the map he is a part of because this man favors high-end developers. If this map changes high-end developers' Land Use Titles to help them develop their land easily, it could be one huge way that he supports these developers, andthis is not right for the island and the community. https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/hundreds-of-hawaii-island-residents-protest-proposed-housing-project-in-punaluu/ https://www.thepetitionsite.com/854/086/898/residents-who-oppose-the-resort-in-punaluu-ka%C5%AB/ Thank you, Rebecca MelendezKailua Kona Resident From:Ken Honma To:Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; Planning InternetMail; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Cc:Stand Together Hawaii Subject:Official Request for and extended presentation Date:Tuesday, January 28, 2025 9:15:56 AM 1/28/2025 Planning Commissioners, I would like to request that Michelle Melendez be invited by the Planning Commissioners to have an extended time-period in order to fully provide the Commissioners and the public with pertinent information about the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. After personally providing testimony at a recent public hearing, it is clear to me that three minutes are far too short of time to fully expand on the ramifications of the General Plan. It is also clear that the Commissioners have the ability to ask for extended presentations, as was done when the “staff” of the planning department was asked to make a presentation to the commissioners, the presentation was well over the three minutes allotted to the public and included questions and answers and a slide presentation. I ask that you honor the community members’ who have and are very concerned about the full implications of the General Plan, Michelle Melendez has shown honesty, determination, and care in investigation into what the General Plan does and could do. She has the necessary skills to present an accurate, concise, and clear assessment of the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. Give her the opportunity by extending her an invitation to make a presentation before the Commissioners and the public. The present and future people living in the County of Hawaii will respect your efforts in this matter. Sincerely, Ken Honma Kurtistown, Hi, 96760 From:Terri Yoshinaga To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Opposing the General Plan Date:Wednesday, January 29, 2025 12:25:25 PM Concerns Include: ~ Land Use changing Residential to Recreation DROPS property value! ~ Plan could set up MANY opportunities for State to take your land & Rezone! ~ Plan could regulate OFF-GRID living! ~ Plan will further STRESS electric grid increasing prices! ~ AND MORE! Rebecca's testimony https://bigislandsupport.com/2045-gp-testimonial/ Terri Yoshinaga From:Kelelia Pueo To:WPCtestimony Subject:Hamakua Land taken away Date:Wednesday, January 29, 2025 1:37:36 PM I do not agree with the planning department about taking away the following. 1. Land grab in Hamakua as being used as conservation land that is used for farming and ranching. Waipio Valley is also where taro are grown. As well as a sacred place for the Hawaiian people. Hawaiian Homes can also be taken away from the Hawaiian People. 2. Taking away the Water from Maunakea for the cattle ranchers and the people in Hilo and around the Island. This is not good for the people who live in the surrounding areas. 3. Limiting driving by miles by 10. We are no longer able to travel around the island. Families and Keiki will not be able to visit family who lives on the other side of the island. 4. Fishermen are no longer be able to go to the ocean to fish. Again limited based on only driving 10 miles away from land to fish for food. 5. Not being able to use propane or gas for cooking food. As well not being able to drive their vehicles to travel. Allowing us to use electric vehicles. 7. Limiting the water consumption for families for Fire. The water is free as it is coming from the rain. There should not be a limit on how much water is used and being monitored. I am asking that you think about what you are doing to the people and families. How much an impact the people on the island of Hawai’i . Sincerely Theresa Potter Sent from my iPhone From: LPCtestimonv To: Michelle Melendez;WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv Subject: RE:Add Meeting Time for Working People!-2 Date:Thursday,January 30,2025 8:37:03 AM Attachments: imaoe001.ono Aloha Michelle Melendez, Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the scheduling of the General Plan review meetings. We understand the importance of ensuring accessibility for all members of the community. The meeting schedule was developed based on the availability of the Planning Commissioners and the venue. To date, there have been seven opportunities for public input, including two evening meetings specifically designed to accommodate those who are unavailable during working hours. Of those seven, four meetings were held in Kona for the Leeward Planning Commission, and three were held in Hilo for the Windward Planning Commission. At this time, we are not planning to add additional meetings beyond those already scheduled. We appreciate your understanding and continued participation in the process. Thank you, Kelsie Chang Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawaii Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Direct: (808) 961-8157 1 Main: (808) 961-8288 Email: 0i Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any review, use, disclosure, or distribution by unintended recipients is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. From: Michelle Melendez<michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> Sent: Thursday,January 30, 2025 7:51 AM To: WPCtestimony<wpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; LPCtestimony I pctesti mony@ hawa i icou nty.gov> Subject: RE: Add Meeting Time for Working People! Aloha Planning Commissioners, You took out a meeting last month and had the only meeting for the General Plan during working hours. You have repeated that for this month. I am asking you to be Pono to the working people and add a 2nd meeting time after 5pm so working people can come. A huge complaint is that people do not know about these meetings and if they did and they work, they couldn't come. That is not pono at all to the average person here on Big Island. Do what is right and add a 2nd meeting time out of working hours. 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 Great Maui Land Grab"NOW Available here From: WPCtestimonv To: Ken Honma Cc: Stand Toaether Hawaii; Kimball, Heather; Kaaiwada.Jennifer;Onishi. Dennis; Kierkiewicz,Ashley; Kanealii- Kleinfelder, Matt;Villegas, Rebecca;Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; Planning Internet Mail;WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv Subject: RE: Official Request for and extended presentation Date:Thursday,January 30,2025 3:58:00 PM Aloha Ken Honma, Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your concerns regarding the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. We appreciate your engagement and your commitment to ensuring the public and the Planning Commissioners have access to comprehensive information on this important matter. In order to maintain fairness and provide equal opportunities for all public testifiers, we must adhere to the standard time limits established for testimony. While we understand that some topics may require more time to discuss in depth, our process is designed to allow for equitable participation from all members of the community. The Planning Commission may, at its discretion, request additional information from staff or other entities as needed to support its decision- making process. However, public testimony is subject to the same time constraints to ensure that all voices are heard within the allotted time. We encourage Michelle Melendez, as well as any other interested individuals, to submit written testimony if additional details need to be shared beyond the time available for verbal testimony. Written testimony is given full consideration by the Commissioners and provides an opportunity to elaborate on key points in greater detail. Thank you again for your advocacy and engagement. Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can assist you further. Mahalo, WPCtestimony From: Ken Honma <kenh.7553@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday,January 28, 2025 9:16 AM To: Council Testimony<counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kimball, Heather Heather.Kimball@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kagiwada,Jennifer<Jennifer.Kagiwada@hawaiicounty.gov>; Onishi, Dennis<Dennis.Onishi@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kierkiewicz,Ashley Ashley.Kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt<Matt.Kanealii- Kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov>; Villegas, Rebecca <Rebecca.Villegas@hawaiicounty.gov>; Galimba, Michelle M. <Michelle.Galimba@hawaiicounty.gov>; Inaba, Holeka Holeka.lnaba@hawaiicounty.gov>; Hustace,James<James.Hustace@hawaiicounty.gov>; Planning Internet Mail <planning@hawaiicounty.gov>; WPCtestimony<wpctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; LPCtestimony<Ipctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov> Cc: Stand Together Hawaii <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> Subject: Official Request for and extended presentation 1/28/2025 Planning Commissioners, I would like to request that Michelle Melendez be invited by the Planning Commissioners to have an extended time-period in order to fully provide the Commissioners and the public with pertinent information about the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. After personally providing testimony at a recent public hearing, it is clear to me that three minutes are far too short of time to fully expand on the ramifications of the General Plan. It is also clear that the Commissioners have the ability to ask for extended presentations, as was done when the "staff" of the planning department was asked to make a presentation to the commissioners,the presentation was well over the three minutes allotted to the public and included questions and answers and a slide presentation. I ask that you honor the community members'who have and are very concerned about the full implications of the General Plan, Michelle Melendez has shown honesty, determination, and care in investigation into what the General Plan does and could do. She has the necessary skills to present an accurate, concise, and clear assessment of the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. Give her the opportunity by extending her an invitation to make a presentation before the Commissioners and the public.The present and future people living in the County of Hawaii will respect your efforts in this matter. Sincerely, Ken Honma Kurtistown, Hi, 96760 From:schausjulie@gmail.com To:Council Testimony; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General plan 2045 Date:Thursday, January 30, 2025 6:55:13 AM Dear Hawaii county council, I am a resident and property owner in captain cook, Hawai’i. I have three sons that also live in south Kona, Hawai’i. I am writing this testimony to oppose and reject 1) the nomination of Wesley Segawa and 2) to oppose and reject the proposed general plan 2045 based on the following: Wesley Segawa : is a convicted felon. He is a business owner with county contracts therefore an illegal, conflict of interest Segawa mismanaged his position as chairman of public housing and resigned I appeal to the council to appoint only those people with hawai’i aloha in their heart. General plan 2045: This proposed plan is being discussed behind the peoples backs There has not been any form of information to the general public There was to have been 2 meetings in January and 2 in february. You cancelled a meeting in each month. Very wrong. You made the meetings during business hours limiting peoples access Overall this “plan” removes peoples land and water rights This plan oppresses and suppresses residents and homeowners This plan seeks to deceitfully rezone our properties to conservation This plan reduces our property values This plan seeks for “environmental reasons” to take away/rezone our properties No governmental body should have the right to decide our properties fate Referrals to a master plan & ordinances within the plan are vague and lack description We do not want to live in a smart city controlled by government We do not want untested/ unsafe 5g installed under our ground We do not want 5g to surveil us I appeal to the Hawaii county council to not just hear our voices , but to take action. Do something to prevent this God awful plan to proceed in any way, shape or form. This plan should not move forward. Me and my family, oppose and reject general plan 2045. Me and my family oppose and reject the nomination of Wesley Segawa Mahalo nui loa, Julie schaus Captain cook, Hi Sent from my iPad From: Michelle Melendez To: WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv Subject: RE:Add Meeting Time for Working People! Date:Thursday,January 30,2025 7:51:03 AM Aloha Planning Commissioners, You took out a meeting last month and had the only meeting for the General Plan during working hours. You have repeated that for this month. I am asking you to be Pono to the working people and add a 2nd meeting time after 5pm so working people can come. A huge complaint is that people do not know about these meetings and if they did and they work, they couldn't come. That is not pono at all to the average person here on Big Island. Do what is right and add a 2nd meeting time out of working hours. 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 Great Maui Land Grab"NOW Available here From: Megan Isaac To: Planning Internet Mail Cc: Mayor;april.supranant(c hawaiicountv.aov;danielle.louisCabhawaiicountv.aov; melissa.dacavanCcbhawaiicountv.gov;CorpCounsel Subject: ATTENTION JEFF DARROW-REGARDS URGENT RESCHEDULING REQUEST Date:Friday,January 31,2025 4:04:50 PM Attachments: County Planning Urgent Reauest.pdf Aloha , This is for the prompt attention of Planning Director Jeff Darrow. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT COUNTY OBSERVE THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUNSHINE LAW(IRS CHAPTER 92) TO HOST TWO OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS AT SUITABLE HOURS FOR FULL PUBLIC ACCESS FOR THE FINAL TWO CONSULTATIONS BEING OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE GENERAL PLAN. WE ARE INVOKING THE SUNSHINE LAW REQUIREMENT OF THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO HOST MEETINGS WHERE MATTERS THAT REFLECT SERIOUS PUBLIC CONCERNS DURING NON-WORKING HOURS SO THAT THERE IS GREATER ACCESS TO PARTICIPATION. THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSIONERS TO RESCHEDULE TWO MEETINGS PLANNED FOR NEXT WEEK FEBRUARY 6 AND FEBRUARY 7. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE OF THE MAYOR ASSIST WITH RESOURCES FOR PROMOTING PUBLIC MEETINGS ON RADIO AND IN PRINT AND SOCIAL MEDIA Since this concerns a scheduling matter, this is an urgent request and we would request this is forwarded for Mr Darrow's immediate attention. We are requesting that we have the engagement with the Mayor's office on this matter of a request to assist with public access to testimony. We are further copying the following parties : April Supranant who has managed the consultation of The General Plan 2045 , Louis Danielle III Commission Chair for Windward Planning Melissa Salvador, coordinator for Windward Planning Commission We are also requesting the engagement and assistance of Corporation Counsel since this involves invoking requirements of Sunshine Law for public engagements. We are requesting the attention of Mayor Kimo Alameda as support may be needed to resource our request. This is an issue that has brought overwhelming opposition from the public. We're including a link to a video that has nearly 900 views in two days and will continue to gain views. The channel has more than sixteen thousand subscribers and is created by one of the undersigned of this request. In this video you will hear a woman give testimony that she was required to take a day off work so that she could participate in the 9AM consultation of Leeward Planning Commission on 1/16/25. This is evidence in support of the fact that if this request is ignored there is a violation of Sunshine Law. Another testifier references how difficult it has been to access information about this General Plan and also the publicity about meetings. We are a loosely affiliated group of concerned residents who all have attempted to communicate our concerns about this General Plan. We've also been frustrated at the lack of promotion and the lack of meaningful action to make changes to the General Plan 2045 (this is in spite of the numbers of people essentially expressing the same concerns). Roger Christie will be calling The Planning Department and requesting an urgent meeting with Mr. Darrow either by phone or in person. A letter will follow by certified mail . We thank all parties for respectful assistance on the matter of this request and we hope to be able to move forward in a positive direction. Mahalo. Megan Isaac (on behalf of the undersigned parties ) hUs://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmzwiylGAoM PO Box 145 Papaikou Hawaii 96781 January 31,2025 Jeff Darrow,Planning Director Hawaii County Planning Department Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 Hilo,HI 96720 Subject:Urgent Request to Reschedule Final General Plan 2045 Hearings for Public Accessibility Dear Mr.Darrow, Aloha,and thank you for your service to our island as our new Planning Director.We the undersigned are requiring your urgent attention.We are writing as residents deeply concerned about the General Plan 2045 process,particularly regarding public access and engagement.This Planning document remains highly contentious,with concerns being raised at every public meeting with overwhelming opposition.Since the General Plan has not yet been transmitted to the legislative body, taking public testimony and incorporating public feedback is a critical responsibility that your department bears. While some meetings have been scheduled after work hours,the majority have not.The final two hearings before the plan is forwarded to the County Council are currently scheduled for Thursday,February 6,and Friday,February 7,at 9:00 AM. These times are prohibitive for many residents who work during the day,limiting the ability for meaningful public participation. Given the repeated concerns raised about insufficient public notice and inadequate outreach efforts by the Planning Department throughout this process,ensuring maximum public access to these final meetings is imperative.Many testifiers have stated that public awareness of this plan remains low due to poor advertising. The Hawaii Sunshine Law(HRS Chapter 92)requires that"every meeting of all boards shall be open to the public"and that government bodies ensure transparency and accessibility.While the law does not dictate exact times for meetings,its intent is clear:meetings must be accessible to the general public.Scheduling critical hearings during standard working hours limits participation and undermines the principle of open government. At the January 22,2025,County Council meeting,council member Jen Kagiwada addressed Mayor Alameda and the Parks and Recreation Director regarding the lack of proper public notice for a different policy matter,stating: Something that didn't go so well at the end ofthe last administration was`noticing'the community far in advance and letting them have a place to give input.I think that was one of the biggest things I heard in the community—that they really felt like it was not`noticed'well,and people didn't have the opportunity on a Friday after Thanksgiving,in the middle ofthe day,to come and have their say." This statement reflects that this Legislator is aware ofthe widespread frustration with local government failing to schedule significant policy discussions at times convenient for public participation. We urge that you immediately coordinate with Windward Planning Commission coordinator Melissa Salvador and the Commission Chair Danielle Louis III to reschedule these final two meetings for a time that allows for maximum public participation—specifically at 5:00 PM for two dedicated hearings in February. Furthermore,in recognition of a frequent complaint cited that insufficient notice has been provided to the community,we request that resources be allocated for public outreach efforts,including radio announcements,newspaper notices,and social media updates,to ensure that residents across the island are fully informed about these hearings. We anticipate a prompt response from you as to both of these requests.Roger Christie is our contact for this request.He may be reached at 808 464 3966.The mayor is being asked to assist also as this is a matter of public access and trust which we can see is in jeopardy. Please Kokua.Mahalo for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, Megan Isaac,Hilo Roger Christie Hakalau Share Christie,Hakalau Pastor Kevin Hill,Hakalau Pastor Kimberly Hill,Hakalau Dr Angela Longo,Waimea Fran Copp,Keaukaha Deanna Wentworth,Opi'ikau Ben Macklin,Nam Kailua Dr Sharon Olson,Waimea Michelle Melendez,Hakalau David DeCleene,Hilo Heidi White,Kailua Kona CC: Mayor Kim Alameda Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo,HI 96720 Email:mavor&hawaiicoun ov Hawaii County Planning Department Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 Hilo,HI 96720 Email:plannine(ahawaiicountv.eov April Supranant,Long Range Planning Director Email:agril.sul2ranant&hawaiicouniy.gov Danielle Louis III,Windward Planning Commission Chair Email:danielle.louis(ahawaiicountv,;eov Melissa Salvador,Coordinator for Windward Planning Commission Email:Melissa.Daca,anan_hawaiicoun ov Corporation Counsel Email:Elizabeth A.Strance PO Box 145 Papaikou Hawaii 96781 January 31, 2025 Jeff Darrow,Planning Director Hawaii County Planning Department Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo,HI 96720 Subject: Urgent Request to Reschedule Final General Plan 2045 Hearings for Public Accessibility Dear Mr. Darrow, Aloha, and thank you for your service to our island as our new Planning Director.We the undersigned are requiring your urgent attention.We are writing as residents deeply concerned about the General Plan 2045 process,particularly regarding public access and engagement.This Planning document remains highly contentious,with concerns being raised at every public meeting with overwhelming opposition. Since the General Plan has not yet been transmitted to the legislative body,taking public testimony and incorporating public feedback is a critical responsibility that your department bears. While some meetings have been scheduled after work hours,the majority have not.The final two hear- ings before the plan is forwarded to the County Council are currently scheduled for Thursday,Feb- ruary 6,and Friday,February 7,at 9:00 AM.These times are prohibitive for many residents who work during the day,limiting the ability for meaningful public participation. Given the repeated concerns raised about insufficient public notice and inadequate outreach efforts by the Planning Department throughout this process,ensuring maximum public access to these final meet- ings is imperative. Many testifiers have stated that public awareness of this plan remains low due to poor advertising. The Hawaii Sunshine Law (HRS Chapter 92) requires that "every meeting of all boards shall be open to the public" and that government bodies ensure transparency and accessibility.While the law does not dictate exact times for meetings,its intent is clear: meetings must be accessible to the general public. Scheduling critical hearings during standard working hours limits participation and undermines the prin- ciple of open government. At the January 22, 2025,County Council meeting,council member Jen Kagiwada addressed Mayor Alameda and the Parks and Recreation Director regarding the lack of proper public notice for a different policy matter, stating: Something that didn't go so well at the end of the last administration was`noticing' the community far in advance and letting them have a place to give input.I think that was one of the biggest things 1 heard in the community—that they really felt like it was not`noticed' well,and people didn't have the opportunity on a Friday after Thanksgiving, in the middle of the day,to come and have their say." This statement reflects that this Legislator is aware of the widespread frustration with local government failing to schedule significant policy discussions at times convenient for public participation. We urge that you immediately coordinate with Windward Planning Commission coordinator Melis- sa Salvador and the Commission Chair Danielle Louis III to reschedule these final two meetings for a time that allows for maximum public participation—specifically at 5:00 PM for two dedicated hearings in February. Furthermore,in recognition of a frequent complaint cited that insufficient notice has been provided to the community,we request that resources be allocated for public outreach efforts,including ra- dio announcements,newspaper notices,and social media updates,to ensure that residents across the island are fully informed about these hearings. We anticipate a prompt response from you as to both of these requests. Roger Christie is our contact for this request.He may be reached at 808 464 3966.The mayor is being asked to assist also as this is a matter of public access and trust which we can see is in jeopardy. Please Kokua.Mahalo for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, Dr Angela Longo,Waimea Megan Isaac, Hilo Fran Cop,Keaukaha Deama Wentworth,Opi'ikau Roger Christie,Hakalau Ben Macklin,Nani Kailua Kevin Hi ,Hakalau Kimberly Hil ,H.k.l.0 Share Christie,Hakalau Dr Sharon Olson,Waimea Josh Anthony,Yapaikou Claudia Schinuner,Waiakea Uka 0 i;:, glqi4&14S"7 ' 9"IJ - Ae et Adriana E.Duerr,Pa'uka'a Michelle Melendez,Hakalau David DeCleene,Hilo Heidi White,Kailua Kona CC: Mayor Kimo Alameda Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo,HI 96720 Email:mayorahawaiicounty.gov Hawaii County Planning Department Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 Hilo,HI 96720 Email:planning@hawaiicounty.govl April Supranant,Long Range Planning Director Email:april.supranant(Lhawaiicounty.gov Danielle Louis IIl,Windward Planning Commission Chair Email:danielleiouis(i hawaiicounty.gov Melissa Salvador,Coordinator for Windward Planning Commission Email:Melissa.Dacayanan@hawaiicounty.gov Elizabeth Strance,Office of Corporation Counsel Email:corpcounsel CChawaiicounty.gov From: Ken Honma To: WPCtestimony;Council Testimony Cc: Stand Toaether Hawaii; Kimball. Heather; Kaaiwada,Jennifer;Onishi,Dennis; Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kanealii- Kleinfelder,Matt;Villegas, Rebecca;Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba.Holeka; Hustace,James; Planning Internet Mail; LPCtestimonv Subject: Re:Official Request for and extended presentation-2 Date:Saturday,February 1,2025 11:40:46 PM Dear WPCtestimony, Thank you for clarifying the limitations of public testimony. How can Michelle Melendez be given the necessary time to present very important and pertinent information about this general plan? The venue needs to be viewable such as on Zoom, and recorded and available for the public to see and hear. What is the purpose of taking public testimony if not to provide the commissioners and the public with other pertinent information that is not already included in the proposal? The general plan is easily downloadable for the public to read, there should also be on this website all of the supporting and opposing views available for the public to see, hear and read what their fellow Hawaiians' are thinking about this proposed plan. Please let me know how to make these requests happen. Openness in government is so important today, we are participating at the most basic and local political level and we have the power to bring trust back into government decision making, let's do it show us how! Sincerely, Ken Honma. Kurtistown 96760 On Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM WPCtestimony <wnctestimony&hawaiicoun ov>wrote: Aloha Ken Honma, Thankyou for reaching out and for sharingyour concerns regardingthe H awa i`i County General Plan 2045. We appreciate your engagement and your commitment to ensuring the public and the Planning Commissioners have access to comprehensive information on this important matter. In order to maintain fairness and provide equal opportunities for all public testifiers, we must adhere to the standard time limits established for testimony. While we understand that some topics may require more time to discuss in depth, our process is designed to allow for equitable participation from all members of the community. The Planning Commission may, at its discretion, request additional information from staff or other entities as needed to support its decision- making process. However, public testimony is subject to the same time constraints to ensure that all voices are heard within the allotted time. We encourage Michelle Melendez, as well as any other interested individuals, to submit written testimony if additional details need to be shared beyond the time available for verbal testimony. Written testimony is given full consideration by the Commissioners and provides an opportunity to elaborate on key points in greater detail. Thank you again for your advocacy and engagement. Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can assist you further. Mahalo, WPCtestimony From: Ken Honma <kenh.75531cDgmail.com> Sent: Tuesday,January 28, 2025 9:16 AM To: Council Testimony<counciltestimonyna hawaiicountX.gov>; Kimball, Heather Heather.Kimballna hawaiicountX.gov>; Kagiwada,Jennifer Jennifer.Kagiwadana hawaiicountk.gov>; Onishi, Dennis <Dennis.OnishiCo hawaiicountX.gov>; Kierkiewicz, Ashley<Ashley.Kierkiewiczna hawaiicount).gov>; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt Matt.Ka nea I ii-KI einfeld erP hawaiicountX.gov>; Villegas, Rebecca Rebecca.Villegasna hawaiicountk.Fov>; Galimba, Michelle M. Michelle.Galimbana hawaiicountX. ov>; Inaba, Holeka <Holeka.lnabana hawaiicount).gov>; Hustace,James<James.HustacelcDhawaiicount.gov>; Planning Internet Mail planningna hawaiicountk.gov>; WPCtestimony<wpctestimonyna hawaiicount).gov>; LPCtestimony Ipctestimonyna hawaiicountX.gov> Cc: Stand Together Hawaii <michel le P blossom inn erwelIness.com> Subject: Official Request for and extended presentation 1/28/2025 Planning Commissioners, I would like to request that Michelle Melendez be invited by the Planning Commissioners to have an extended time-period in order to fully provide the Commissioners and the public with pertinent information about the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. After personally providing testimony at a recent public hearing, it is clear to me that three minutes are far too short of time to fully expand on the ramifications of the General Plan. It is also clear that the Commissioners have the ability to ask for extended presentations, as was done when the "staff" of the planning department was asked to make a presentation to the commissioners, the presentation was well over the three minutes allotted to the public and included questions and answers and a slide presentation. I ask that you honor the community members' who have and are very concerned about the full implications of the General Plan, Michelle Melendez has shown honesty, determination, and care in investigation into what the General Plan does and could do. She has the necessary skills to present an accurate, concise, and clear assessment of the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. Give her the opportunity by extending her an invitation to make a presentation before the Commissioners and the public. The present and future people living in the County of Hawaii will respect your efforts in this matter. Sincerely, Ken Honma Kurtistown, Hi, 96760 From: 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 12:52:22 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 Great Maui Laud Grab"NOW Available here 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. From:Donna Z Grabow To:WPCtestimony Subject:Aloha - General Plan 2045 Date:Tuesday, February 4, 2025 8:04:13 PM My name is Donna Grabow and there are many reasons to reject the entire General Plan 2045. There are so many homes that are already so many vacant, foreclosed homes because of highinterest loans.Yet The Plan promotes relocating people into new cluster housing The Plan has a list of vaguerules for smart transportation in smart communities. There is part of the Plan that mentions agricultural growth, but the details of sustainability arenot feasible. Farming Expansion needs land, workers and machinery, all of which are limited. Dependence on imported food will still persist. If the mistake is made to implement parts of the Plan, then communities of islands can beturned into controlled, dystopian housing projects.A sterile technocratic culture would replace the friendly Polynesian culture that is sotreasured. In the General Plan, it’s been discovered that a new map was either tampered with, ormistakenly mislabled an area that is actually Urban land. The new map has somehow been redesignated as 'Conservation land.’ This slight of hand would give the State a green light to prohibit homes, farming or building. On the last note - Keep Hawaii the way it is. There are already plenty of Forest Reserves, Hawaiian Public Lands, and lots of well-planned parks, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, a freezoo and botanicial gardens, all which are available to the public. This is a wonderful place tolive. I’m so lucky to live on Moku o Keawe. The General Plan is not the ONLY choice. There are much better ideas and clean technology to be considered. Sincerely, Donna GrabowHilo From: Michelle Melendez To: WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv Cc: 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: MAJOR Mistake In Hawaii GP(Must not recommend it go through) Date:Tuesday, February 4, 2025 1:52:14 PM Aloha Planning Commissioners, I've been attending the GP meetings for over 6 months. NOT one person has shown- up saying they helped create this plan for Hawaii and are in full support of it. The contrary is true. 99.9% of the people are opposing it! They are either angry, crying or stoic, but they are requiring you to not recommend this plan go through. The 3 people in 6-months that have supported this plan have had one personal issue the plan would assist with. Not one person has come to support the plan in its entirety. Your position is to represent the people and they people have been telling you for over 6-months to NOT recommend this plan! Will you honor your seat or has fascism already taken over this government? Here is yet another reason why this plan should not be recommended: At the January 16, Planning Commission meeting, a testifier said there was a mistake" in the designation of a particular parcel of land. The new map showed it was set to be "Conservation" when it was designated "Urban" Land use. This is HUGE since Conservation will only allow a park, no living, farming, or building! The Planning Director acknowledged the mistake and said it would be fixed but how many "mistakes" are in the map we don't know about? This alone should require you to NOT recommend the Hawaii GP NOT go through! Kind Regards, 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 Great Maui Land Grab"NOW Available here From: Eileen Downing To:WPCtestimonv;LPCtestimonv;Council Testimony;Kimball,Heather;Kaoiwada,Jennifer;Onishi,Dennis;Kierkiewicz,Ashley;Kanealii- Kleinfelder,Matt;Villeaas,Rebecca;Galimba,Michelle M.;Inaba.Holeka;Hustace.James;cohmavor(d)hawaiicountv.aov Subject: DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date: Wednesday,February 5,2025 1:11:01 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! 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. 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. 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. 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf 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. 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. 1.13 under"Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, '7ncentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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! 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 Site Plan: 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 can see it in the pdf below: Part One: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/files/ugd/86fc0c Oa1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fcOcbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fcOc_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Respectfully, Eileen Downing From:julie schaus To:Council Testimony; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:General plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, February 5, 2025 8:49:35 AM Dear Hawaii county council, I am a resident and property owner in captain cook, Hawai’i. I have three sons that also live in south Kona, Hawai’i. I am writing this testimony to oppose and reject 1) the nomination of Wesley Segawa and 2) to oppose and reject the proposed general plan 2045 based on the following: Wesley Segawa : is a convicted felon. He is a business owner with county contracts therefore an illegal, conflict of interest Segawa mismanaged his position as chairman of public housing and resigned I appeal to the council to appoint only those people with hawai’i aloha in their heart. General plan 2045: This proposed plan is being discussed behind the peoples backs There has not been any form of information to the general public There was to have been 2 meetings in January and 2 in february. You cancelled a meeting in each month. Very wrong. You made the meetings during business hours limiting peoples access Overall this “plan” removes peoples land and water rights This plan oppresses and suppresses residents and homeowners This plan seeks to deceitfully rezone our properties to conservation This plan reduces our property values This plan seeks for “environmental reasons” to take away/rezone our properties No governmental body should have the right to decide our properties fate Referrals to a master plan & ordinances within the plan are vague and lack description We do not want to live in a smart city controlled by government We do not want untested/ unsafe 5g installed under our ground We do not want 5g to surveil us I appeal to the Hawaii county council to not just hear our voices , but to take action. Do something to prevent this God awful plan to proceed in any way, shape or form. This plan should not move forward. Me and my family, oppose and reject general plan 2045. Me and my family oppose and reject the nomination of Wesley Segawa Mahalo nui loa, Julie schaus Captain cook, Hi Sent from my iPad From: Ken Honma To: WPCtestimony; LPCtestimonv;Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kaaiwada,Jennifer;Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz,Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt;Villeaas, Rebecca;Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba. Holeka; Hustace. James;cohmayor(&hawaiicounty.aov Cc: Stand Together Hawaii; Debbie Guanzon; Mark&Ruth Statler; Marie Ruhland Subject: Vote No on Hawaii County General Plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, February 5,2025 10:07:35 AM Dear Planning Commissioners, I fervently oppose any use of this plan for Hawaii County and demand that this commission vote no on behalf of the people of Hawaii County. This plan looks like a take-over of the lands of Hawaii County by rezoning and limiting the development areas. It effectively limits where normal people live, where they can go, where they shop, where and what kinds of recreation they can have and do. There is a reason that there is no projection of what build-out looks like, because it will look bad for what life will be for the normal human being in Hawaii County. The wealthy who are planning this land reallocation do not want you to know: How many people can this plan support per square mile? How does this number compute as to the number of people per square mile in terms of the whole island? How many of the people will own their own property? What is the projected income of the average working class household? How many people will be in this average household? What are the economic drivers and their future projected growth? What is the relationship between these economic drivers and the income of the average working class household? This plan addresses none of these issues that relate to quality of life, so how can we possibly consider this as a plan that benefits "we the people"? How can this commission possibly evaluate the impact that this plan will have on our communities without real quality of life evaluations. You must vote no on this imperial colonialist land reallocation and limitation plan. Sincerely, Ken Honma Kurtistown Hi 96760 From:Marianna Kovalev To:WPCtestimony Cc:happyd92@gmail.com Subject:My opposition to Date:Wednesday, February 5, 2025 6:14:36 AM Attachments:OppositioinPossitontoGP2045.pdf Proposition of the General Plan 2045 Sent from my iPhone 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, Hawaiʻi struggles to retain talent due to the high cost of living. ● Tourism Mismanagement: Reducing tourism’s footprint is economically dangerous, as it remains Hawaiʻi’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. From: Dea Rackley To: Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder. Matt;Villeaas. Rebecca;Galimba. Michelle M.; Inaba. Holeka; Hustace. James;cohmavor(abhawaiicountv.aov;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: NO TO HAWAII GENERAL PLAN Date:Thursday,February 6,2025 8:26:39 AM I am not supporting the WEF General plan. The people require them to NOT recommend the Hawaii General Plan 2045 go through to the County Council. Please stand up to this Horrible plan. Dea Rackley 15-2660 Pahoa Village Rd STE 203-654 Pahoa HI 96778 United States Sent from my iPhone From: Deanne Christensen 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;cohmavoolhawaiicountv.aov Subject: Unclear General Plan 2045 from today meeting for tomorrow questions Date:Thursday,February 6,2025 1:58:07 PM Todays meeting: The plan was said that it doesn't need to be specific. Why? This leaves too many loopholes for any new changes to be governed under the plan. Wiggle room so to speak, to fall under a category to have the right to add in additional actions after the plan has been passed. TDR= Transfer Development Rights,(shift)this is said to be voluntary. In other areas that it's said to be "voluntary" it usually means pushed out having to "voluntarily move" which in the real sense it isn't then voluntarily. Such as insurance will not insure you at this location, the rezone of the property (although I feel this is disguised in the language)you can not build here. It was talked about that if you fall under the TDR, that the 1,000 sqft home you wanted to build now you can be directed to a piece of land to be able to build a 2,000 sqft home. We all know nothing is this simple, like the plan in itself is easily misconstrued to be agreeable if not asked the right questions. How much is it going to cost the landowner to transfer over to the designated land that the plan is suggestioning to be provided?Are they going to be limited at that time to use only the people who benefit from the plan to build the construction of the home? Will they own the land or will it be a leasehold as the HOA has been described? Too many nuances that leave people to be imprisoned by the Shift/TDR areas. Transportation was touched on about electric vehicles and how we do not have the infrastructure for it. But,nothing mentioned about the blackouts we already are having on the Big Island. The pull outs for the buses. The route looks as if it will be in front of peoples homes for the buses to pull in to let passengers off and on the bus. Carving into the personal property of an owner, will they be paid to take their property and make their land a smaller parcel than when they purchased it? Will the plan cover the change of the TMK that goes with the property as the property line has changed? Which if the property line is not remapped and it's sold, who's at fault for the non disclosure when this wasn't' by choice of the homeowner? Homeowners compensation was mentioned. But,we know when the state/county wants your land it isn't like selling your land at a profit, It is taking what they will give you. It was said that the home/land that now has been "rezoned" already had a conservation easement of the land but was used as state URBAN land. How can an easement for conservation take over all of your land? Having an easement from a neighbor does not give the neighbor the right to take your land. You can purchase the land but when we are ready to use your land we can take it? Still leaving the homeowner to not be able to use their home as a line of equity,take the price that is offered to move off their property without making the profit of what they have put into the home and the added value to the land. Having to pay taxes on the money given to you at a lesser dollar amount than your home is worth,while being displaced. All of this should not be lumped into one plan. There are too many components that they want to "cluster in" a county plan. Making it too easy once a plan is passed to do the opposite of what has been spoken in the meetings. Twisting the words of their meanings to fit the narrative of the plan. We as a whole will be the ones paying the price if it is passed the way it is now, it is harder to undo than it is to revise before passing. Please do not pass this plan on to all of us. Some sounds minor but history has proven plans like this can crumble a county. Especially with too many components in one plan. Plan Divide Transportation that includes what it looks like,not a vague picture using climate change. Zoning, did the people who purchased the state urban land know that this could be a possibility with the conservation of the easement changing their home to not be state urban but to conservation? If this wasn't known this could lead up to county lawsuits. What constitutes the right of the rezoning of a property although said it isn't rezoning. People will fight back after the fact ones affected by the plan.No one thinks it's a big deal beforehand until the aftermath starts. Mahalo,Dyanne Christensen 808.557.6834 dvannechristensen@gmail.com r From:Dyanne Christensen To:LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley;Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James;cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov; WPCtestimony Subject:Clarification on compensation Date:Thursday, February 6, 2025 7:07:02 PM Homeowners compensation was mentioned. But, we know when the state/county wants your land it isn't like selling your land at a profit, It is taking what they will give you. It was saidthat the home/land that now has been "rezoned" already had a conservation easement of the land but was used as state URBAN land. How can an easement for conservation take over allof your land? Having an easement from a neighbor does not give the neighbor the right to take your land. You can purchase the land but when we are ready to use your land we can take it? Still leaving the homeowner to not be able to use their home as a line of equity, take the price that is offered to move off their property without making the profit of what they have put intothe home and the added value to the land. Having to pay taxes on the money given to you at a lesser dollar amount than your home is worth, while being displaced. Most compensation in situations like this is not enough to recover what hasbeen put into the property value or possibly not enough to cover the remainingbalance of a mortgage but left to pay on the taxes of what was given for the compensation that is seen as income and compensation. Could leave some in debt due to the change of the property usages. There needs to be a clause in the plan to prevent this from being able to happen to the owner of the property. -- Mahalo,Dyanne Christensen 808.557.6834 dyannechristensen@gmail.com From:kanaloaleohano To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:STOP the proposed 2045 plan, STOP any thought of sending it through Date:Thursday, February 6, 2025 9:14:21 PM We The People require you to STOP the Proposed Hawaii General Plan 2045, and it MUST NOT go through to the County Council. We The People of the Island of Hawaiʻi, the County of Hawaii, do NOT CONSENT to such plan! To Hawaii County Government, Aloha -- There are numerous issues with the proposed general plan, and testimony is overwhelmingly opposed to its general concepts which are NOT set up to benefit farmers and homeowners. Mahalo, Kana Leohano See below for additional information. I have provided extensive written testimony and commented on the general plan online, along with many others that have emphasized this plan needs a complete overhaul to meet the needs of the community. This plan is based off a template handed down from the United Nations and their so-called Agenda 21. This link provides an overview to allow county planning and legislative officials to understand this so-called Agenda 21 (or whatever name they are currently calling it -- agenda 2030, "you will own nothing and be happy", or whatever) and should be mandatory reading. https://nwri.org/wp- content/uploads/2011/07/How-Public-Officials-can-Recognize-Agenda-21.pdf PAGE ONE IS A SHORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THAT DESCRIBES THE COMMUNIST AGENDA TO GET RID OF PRIVATE OWNERSHIP. The Hawaii County General Plan of 2005 contains the words "homeowner" (4 times) and "farmer" (14 times) while the proposed 2045 plan does not have the words "homeowner" and "farmer" anywhere! It therefore is obvious it is not written to help homeowners or farmers. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 1. The entire thing needs to be re-done by people who love people -- not profit, that is by people who work from the SPIRIT of the State Constitution section 5-7.5 regarding ALOHA SPIRIT. To quote: "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. The current draft involves people in power who are seeking to line their own pockets. Stop. Seriously, dump the whole thing. IT IS OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN BY SOMEONE IN THE PAY OF Blackrock, Vanguard, Gates, Soros, or any number of other disgusting, money-printing entities. The core of the document is: "The Countyʻs desired land use development pattern." THIS IS NOT FOR THE COUNTY TO DECIDE !!!! As noted in #11 below: Our micro- climates are so vast and varied there is NO CHANCE that anyone at the County level would know what needs to go where. THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY LIVING ON, BY WALKING, THE LAND. Leave people to make their OWN DECISIONS about what to do with their own land. 2. The State, and the County, have NO RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LAND !! and any reference to such in this proposed document should be removed!!! And, the State has NO RIGHT to any County property, and none should be handed over without agreement of ancestral owners and local residents, and NO HARBOR SHOULD BE HANDED TO THE STATE. Remove any reference to "Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island and the State should NOT BE MANAGING our island. 3. There is no such thing as "climate change" caused by humans, and anything referring to such should be entirely removed. https://clintel.org/world-climate- declaration/ Remove ANY reference to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation". Remove ANY reference to "decarbonizing." 4. Remove the section 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal (1.13) because Maui has shown the pain, suffering and financial loss such government over-reach leads to. 5. Remove the section 17.4, Page 111, because a person applying for land use clearance should not involve the government attempting to grab their land. 6. Remove the word "stakeholder" from everywhere it appears, and instead use the words "homeowner" or "farmer". 7. Leave the zoning alone. Leave it alone. 8. Remove ANY reference to "digital literacy" and its related "5G"-type insanity. BETTER TO PUT SOMETHING ABOUT "FARMING LITERACY" OR "FISHING LITERACY" OR "HUNTING LITERACY". Remove ANY reference to prioritizing digital above actual. There is nothing in this proposed document about PRIORITIZING FARMING, FISHPOND CARE AND MAINTENANCE, and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and THERE SHOULD BE !!!!! 9. Remove the words "equity" and "equitable" from everywhere they appear. We need EQUALITY of opportunity, NOT equity of results !!!! People need to work for what they get, and people who have worked and succeeded need to keep the fruits of their labors. THERE WILL NEVER BE EQUITY, LEGISLATED OR NOT!!!! "Safe and affordable utilities" are NOT a right! People need to work for what they get! 10. Remove the word "sustainability" from everywhere it appears. This is NOT something that can be regulated into existence!!! It is a loosey-goosey term that has NO SCIENTIFIC PARAMETERS, NO EFFECTIVE DEFINITION for anything to do with lawmaking !! 11. Remove ANY proposed regulation that would increase restriction or result in ANY fee to a farmer. We need food !! 12. Remove ANY proposed requirement for a permit. We have too many of these already. 13. Remove ANY reference to "incinerator" -- "waste-to-energy" or ANY other use. NO resident wants such, and we have stated such in the past UNEQUIVOCALLY. 14. Remove ANY proposed map of land use. Our micro-climates are so vast and varied there is NO CHANCE that anyone making a map would know what needs to go where. THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY LIVING ON, BY WALKING, THE LAND. Leave people to make their OWN DECISIONS about what to do with their own land. Remove the word "conform" any time it has ANYTHING to do with private land use. 15. REMOVE 32c and 32p and 20e because all have to do with the heinous, despicable, insane, terrible, egregious concept of "smart" cities. In fact, remove EVERYTHING that has ANYTHING to do with the "SMART" acronym and / or idea. 16. Remove ANY reference to digital currencies. 17. Remove ANY reference to clusters of population, or "site clustering of development". This island is NOT THE PLACE for such ideas. We are farmers. REMOVE section 4.5.1. Remove ANY reference to population density or "clusters". This island is NOT THE PLACE for such ideas. ALSO, IT IS INSANE TO PRIORITIZE WALKING AND BICYCLING OVER CARS ON THIS ISLAND. No farmer is going to walk or bicycle to get his / her produce to market !!!! 18. Remove ANY use of the word "resilience." This is a psychological term that has NO PLACE in a government document. 19. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED. Remove ANY reference to such office from the proposed general plan. 20. Remove ANY reference to "incentive" in regard to taxes on peopleʻs land, such as to "incentivize" them to build "affordable" housing. This is a COMPLETELY WRONG way to get "affordable" housing built. MUCH MORE IMPORTANT would be to "incentivize" clean industries to move to our island, where people would be able to get employment to AFFORD good housing. In fact, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH !!! WHY NOT? 21. Remove ANY concept that would involve "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land. 22. Housing developers should not be released from requirements to build infrastructure and should have to post a bond, so we stop having them "get away with" never completing promised roads, etc. 23. Prohibit 5G, or 6G, or whatever they come up with that is similar. 24. All current use of septic or cesspool should be grandfathered-in, with only changes made at a market-rate sale of a property. There are VERY FEW areas where household waste water affects the ocean or inland water. Take care of those few places, leave everything else alone. And this has NOTHING to do with centralized wastewater -- not on our lava-rock island!!! In fact, there should be an AUDIT of CURRENT centralized wastewater facilities, as there are problems with some of them!!! 25. Get Pohakuloa Military Base to stop polluting. NO "TREATED" WASTEWATER for any food or farming use. 26. Pohakuloa Military Base gets its land for a dollar a year and shoots weapons directly above our islandʻs largest aquifer. Get them to stop! 27. Remove ANY reference to incentivizing or regulating water use. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR SUCH. We have water-use people already taking care of this. "Water commitments" are something the DWS should take care of -- or individual bills introduced to remedy any problem. 28. Remove the phrase "circular systems". This is a concept only vaguely defined and certainly without any solid demonstration of its use. 29. Remove the phrase "Vision Zero" as it has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 30. Remove the phrase "One Water" as it refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. WHAT ALREADY HAS BEEN SAID, AND I REPEAT: General Plan 2045 references ʻeconomic growthʻ but does not discuss in any way the drivers of the economy. It SHOULD be a study and plan, on how best to support: Farmers Producers of Goods Providers of Services .....so we can build a great economy together. Rather, it seeks to: restrict, impose fees, place taxes ... pays attention to airport terminals and harbors, transportation and urban development -- nothing that is alive and producing value for our economy, but tools that are needed by people who ARE alive and producing, so should not be used as a way to rake in money for civil servant salaries. Supposedly a plan about development, it barely mentions the Farmers, Producers of Goods, Providers of Services, barely mentions: Agriculture Commerce Industries Jobs Economic Activities It wants to make everyone walk, ride a bike or take a bus. Nuts. Dump the whole thing. From:Ken Honma To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Cc:Marie Ruhland; Stand Together Hawaii; Debbie Guanzon; Mark & Ruth Statler Subject:No confidence in GP2045 Date:Thursday, February 6, 2025 6:22:17 PM 2/6/2025 Dear Planning Commission members, Watching part of the dialog between the Windward Planning Commission Chairman and the department staff today showed me that even the planning commissioners have no clear understanding of what this general plan is actually about. We the people have almost unanimously said the same thing; “What exactly is the goal of this general plan?” The staff mentioned other clarifying information that would be forthcoming that would help clarify some issues: Why is pertinent information not already included in the proposed plan? The climate change dogma that is underpinning this document (and that has been shown to be scientifically faulty) is still being used as justification by the staff by invoking past State and County legislative action as a justification. Rather than the staff admitting that the past actions may not comport with the present scientific information, staff used the obsolete legislation to be able to defer and deflect the Chairs’ attempt at modernizing and updating the scientific basis of the document. This exchange shows why we the people do not trust our County government and its staff to act in our best interest - the interest of we the inhabitants of the land. The attitude of the staff representative left me with the impression that the people are being railroaded into accepting the ideological basis for this document even to disregard new scientific knowledge on the climate. The Planning Commissioners must vote no confidence in this plan with the justification that the scientific basis is flawed and does not include new and important information. Sincerely, Ken Honma Kurtistown, HI 9676 From: Lamaku Mikahala Rov To: WPCtestimonv Subject: Lamaku Mikahala Roy Testimony Instructing Commissioners Why You are Called to Vote Against Revised General Plan 2045--III Date:Thursday, February 6,2025 8:47:51 AM Attachments: Mauna Kea Convevance.odf Chant.odf Recordina(3).m4a Windward Planning Commission Dedicated Meeting For Public Concerns in General Plan 2045 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Public Meeting of the County Council 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 11/20/24 PUBLIC TESTIMONY OPPOSING BILL *169 KONA THREE LLC OF: HRM KA'IOMANA'ULAOKALANI KI'EKI'ELOAKEAHI'ENA'ENAMAUO KALAULANI A.K.A. LAMAKU LAUREN MIKAHALA ROY, KAHUNANUI AHU'ENA HEIAU. KAMAKAHONU, HAWAI'I Greetings Members of the Hawai'i County Council: To you, Members of the Hawai'i County Council and to all people who will read and hear this testimony now and for all time to come, BE IT KNOWN: On Mother's Day, May 10, 2015 I, Lamaku Lauren Mikahala Roy received by spiritual conveyance from the Ancestors of'Oiwi at Ahu'ena Heiau, Kamakahonu which is the attached message here for all descendants of Oiwi and all of mankind. This message has been submitted to you, Hawai'i County Council members; the council members of all counties of Hawai'i, the Governor by the Hawai'i State Legislature on March 3, 2021 and on additional occasions. For the strongest reasons that follow, this application of Kona Three LLC is completely and consistently OPPOSED. The life of the lands of Hawaii represented in the first faith of Oiwi of Hawaii &Pacific that I uphold as Kahunanui and a Kahu of Ahu'ena Heiau, is NOT BEING REGARDED NOR RESPECTED AS MESSAGES FROM AKUA MANAMANALOA, THE DIVINE CREATOR OF ALL LIFE OF HAWAI'I AND THE EARTH. FOR HIGHEST DIVINE REASONS, DIVINE CREATOR CALLS FOR A MORATORIUM OF ALL NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE LANDS WITHIN 40 MILES FROM KALOKO-HONOKOHAU AND HONAUNAU. INCLUDED IN THESE LANDS IS THE PROPERTY HELD BY KONA THREE LLC. I was denied the ability to attend the site visit of the County Council; my request to participate guided by my Ancestors for Divine Creator. I have sought legal representation to uphold my call to obey Akua by the first faith of'Oiwi. This has been denied me by lawyers of Hawaii including the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. Inquiries to the state &federal offices of the ACLU were met with disfunctional telephone systems. By Akua Manamanaloa from the Ancestors of'Oiwi at Ahu'ena Heiau, Kamakahonu, I present the attached files that present the PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY DIVINE CREATOR IN THE PROCESSION IN TRUTH AND LIFE OF HRH KING EDMUND K. PAKI - SILVA II, KING OF THE RESTORED KINGDOM OF HAWAI'I. Oral History Spiritual Conveyance of Ancestors of'Oiwi at Kamakahonu Date 7/10/2023 To: Members of the Hawaii County Cultural Commission From: Lamaku Mikahala Roy Ahu'ena Heiau, Kamakahonu Re:Pu'u o Kaluaokalani Oral Testimony re: Application of Kona 3 LLC Oral History Spiritual Conveyance of Ancestors of'Oiwi at Kamakahonu Pu'u o Kaluaokalani means the "Repository of the Especially Sacred Lands of the Ages for Akua." Pu'u o Kaluaokalani is the identification of the utterly sacred beating heart of Life upon the Earth. Pu'u o Kaluaokalani encompasses 40 miles in Kona from Kaloko- Honokohau in the north to Honaunau in the south. Located within the expanse of this area is Ahu'ena Heiau (meaning "Burning Altar" referring to the Great Light there). Ahu'ena Heiau is the first Temple built by 'Oiwi mankind) upon the Earth. Man's reach to Akua was honored by the Divine Creator of Heaven and Earth. The Lana Nu'u Mamao stands forever reminding mankind that man and all of life were created by Akua (Divine Source of All Life). The Lana Nu'u Mamao (sacred Oracle Tower) stands upon Ahu'ena Heiau forever reminding man of the sacred relationship that exists between Akua (Divine Creator) and all of life created by Akua. The 40 miles are the base and perimeter of the true ORACLE upon the Earth which is Mauna a Wakea. The Lana Nu'u Mamao symbolizes Mauna a Wakea upon Ahu'ena Heiau. Akua created life in the Pacific in Kaluaokalani (meaning the Second Heaven and the First Name for Hawai'i) so very long ago. Ke-au-lama means "The Era of Light." In Keaulama, Akua intends to HEAL THE PLANET AND ALL LIFE UPON THE PLANET. The creation of Earth and life by Akua may not be quantified. Likewise, the Light, Hope, and Healing in Life by Akua in Keaulama, the Era of Light, may not be quantified. KEAULAMA is the re-birth of the Earth planet in Kaluaokalani. KEAULAMA, The Era of Light, is Akua's Gift to mankind and to all of life wherein Akua promises to HEAL THE PLANET AND ALL LIFE UPON THE PLANET BEGINNING IN HAWAI'I. Frain: amakii Mikahala Rnv T. WPCtestimonv Subject Lamaku Mikahala Roy Testimony Instructing Commissioners Why You N.Called to Vote Against Revised General Plan 2045—II IWte:Thursday,February 6,2025 8:47:07 AM Attachments: Date:Fri,Oct 18,2024 at 8:33 PM Subject:Cape Cod Great white beached itself n Tuesday,the Orleans Police Department in Massachusetts received an unusual piece of news:A great white shark had mysteriously washed ashore in Cape Cod.Officials called local tow company Nauset Recovery Inc,to haul the 12.5-foot and 1,240-pound apex predator in the back of a truck through the beachside town of Orleans to the local transfer station for a necropsy. You really never know what kind of call you'll respond to on any given shift,"writes the Orleans Police Department in a post on Facebook."At least Sgt Elliott only needed to follow the tow truck and didn't have to wrestle an unruly great white." Experts identified the shark as a mature adult male named"Koala,"who had been known to researchers since 2022. But as for Koala's cause of death,scientists are coming up empty-handed.Often,sharks are killed for their fins in an illegal practice known as finning.But all of this shark's fins were intact upon pickup,as Dennis Reed,operator of Nauset Recovery Inc.,tells Heather McCarron of the Cone C'od Timec. A Wednesday necropsy,led by Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries scientist Greg Skomal,found no signs of the shark being hooked,either,and uncovered no definitive signs of trauma.As such,its results were inconclusive,the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy says in a Facebook post. Associatedby:PATRICK WHITTLE, Posted:Nov01:01 PM HST Novr - 01:01 PM HST AP Share--Questions by:Lamaku Mikahala Roy An unprecedentedly bad year for beached dolphins on Cape Cod might have to do with warming waters changing the availability ofthe animals'food,said scientists hoping to curb the strandings. Cape Cod,the Massachusetts peninsula beloved by beach tourists and seafood lovers,has a long history of marine mammal strandings.That is partially because of dramatic changes in thetide thatsometimes trap wayward dolphinsifthey swim too close to shore. But this year is different.The International Fund for Animal Welfare,which responds to marine mammal strandings,said Thursday it has responded to 342live, stranded dolphins this year,and that is five times more than its annual average of67. An already bad year got worse earlier this monthwhen the organization was inundated with calls about beached dolphins.More than 50ofthe animalswere stranded on multiple beaches and waterways in the span of a week,the organization said. The massive number of strandings has stretched the group's resources and supplies,said Brian Sharp,marine mammal rescue team lead for the organization and a biologist bytraining.Scientists are still trying to determine what is causingthe strandings,but theyhave noticedthat thesmall fish the dolphins eat in high numbers have been swimming close to the shore,he said. The dolphins seem to be following that food source and getting themselves injeopardy,Sharp said. Any effect of climate change on ocean temperature,salinity,is going to affect the prey resource of the fish,"he said."That as part of the food web is going to have kind of that ripple,that cascade effect throughout the food web,which eventually leads to marine mammals." Cape Cod is located nearimportant dolphinfeeding grounds,and the peninsula is popularwith summer whale watchers becauseofits diversityof species.Mostofthe stranded dolphins have been common dolphins,Atlantic white-sided dolphins,Risso's dolphins and bottlenose dolphins,Sharp said. Of the 342 stranded dolphins,293were able to be released back into the wild,Sharp said.More than 90 additional dolphins were found dead upon stranding,hesaid. This year's strandings included a mass stranding event ofmore than 100 dolphins in the summer that rescuers said was the largest event of its kind in recorded U.S. history.The Cape can be difficult for the animals to navigate because of its sloping sandbars,hooked shape and sticky mudflats. While the factors influencing the strandings are complex,a changing climate is clearly driving prey and predators to new areas at times of the year they were not previously expected,said Regina Asmutis-Silvia,executive director of conservation group Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America. We have had noticeable unseasonablywarm temperatureson land lately around Cape Cod to remind us we are facing changes in the climate.But those changes don'tstop at the shoreline.They are being felt in the ocean too,"she said. This month's rescue operations were made difficult by rough winds and surf and cold weather,the International Fund for Animal Welfare said in a statement.The dolphins that stranded this month might have been part of the same pod,or group,but why the group became stranded is still unclear,the organization said. Though Cape Cod has always seen more live dolphin strandings than anywhere else in the world,the numbers this year have reached historic highs,"thegroup said in a statement. Question: Why were the nai'a(dolphins)and the Great White Shark stranded at Cape Cod? Why Cape Cod? Ancestors shared with me the following starting with the appearance of the Great White Shark(Niuhi)at Cape Cod: Niuhi(Great White)On or around 10/27/24 Ancestors: Here is the ho'ailona(Spiritual Sign)Grand of Earth for the message confirming(EVERYWHERE)--KEAULAMA;THE ERA OF LIGHT. Divine World Above&Below,represented by the Greatest Lion of the Sea(Niuhi,the Great White)represents the union ofabove(land)and below(sea)which is the same as sayingabove(sky)and below(earth or land). Question:Why have the nai'a(dolphins)stranded at Cape Cod?Why Cape Cod? Nai'a(Dolphins)On or around 11/29/94 Ancestors: Nai'a(Dolphins) Hohonu ka mo'olelo(deep is the history). You recall themeaning of the Great Whitestranding at Cape Cod. Here these Nai'a areAncestors givingtheir lives;giving theirall that'Oiwi and all humankind see their way to followAkua's course to save Earth and all life upon the Earth. Cape Cod is the location as it is the place where the destruction of the Earth by man began for the U.S. This story moves to the attempted destruction in Hawai'i by this conduct led bygreed thattries to overcome native peoples. Wole hiki. No can. The designated King ofAkua's Earth for all First People is Akua's Chosen King of the Restored Kingdom of Hawai'i;HRH King Edmund K.Paki-Silva II. Oli Ka'i Ho'ohanohano: Ho'omalamalama Ka Lama Kea Olinolino Nei Processional Chant of Honor: The Brilliant White Light of Enlightenment Dazzling Here Ho'omalamalama Ka Lama Kea 'Olinolino Nei THE BRILLIANT WHITE LIGHT OF ENLIGHTENMENT DAZZLING HERE Ho'olapalapa i ke Ali'i Nui MO M SHINES UPON THE KING I Koho'ia e Ka 'I-lala-'Ole CHOSEN BY GOD Eia a'e ke Ali'i Nui Mo'i THE KING IS COMING! Ano, Eia Ho'i NOW THE KING IS HERE! E Ho'olono i Kona Leo HEAR HIS VOICE! Olelo 'Oia No Ka 'I Manamanaloa FOR HE SPEAKS FOR MOST HIGH GOD Ke Kahuna 'Oia HE IS PRIEST Ke Kaula 'Oia HE IS PROPHET O Ali'i Nui Mo'i 'Oia HE IS KING E Ho'owehe i Ka Na'au OPEN YOUR HEARTS E Ho'ono'ono'o Laula OPEN YOUR MINDS E Ho'ani'ani i Ke Au Lama BECKON FORTH THE ERA OF LIGHT Malamalama Mai Kaluaokalani Mai SHINING FROM KALUAOKALANI I Waho Aku i Ke Ao i Waho i Ka Mamao Loa e OUTWARD TO THE WORLD AND BEYOND O Ka 'I-Lala'ole is IT IS MOST HIGH GOD Ho'ike i ke Ali'i Nui Mo'i ANNOUNCING THE CHOSEN KING O Ka Mo'oku'auhau Ho'omanamana Liloa i Na Ali'i Me Na Ali'iwahine WHOSE GENEALOGY EXTENDS BACK TO KINGS AND QUEENS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL O Ka 'I-Manamana-Loa is IT IS MOST HIGH GOD Mike i Ke Ali'i Nui W ANNOUNCING THE CHOSEN KING Ho'ola Hou i Ke Aupuni WT o Hawai'i WHO RESTORES THE KINGDOM OF HAWAI'I From: Lamaku Mikahala Rov To: WPCtestimonv Subject: Lamaku Mikahala Roy Testimony Instructing Commissioners Why You Are Called to Vote Against the Revised General Plan 2045--I Date:Thursday,February 6,2025 8:43:02 AM Windward Planning Commission Dedicated Meeting For Public Concerns in General Plan 2045 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 February 6, 2025 Testimony of Lamaku Mikahala Roy, Kahunanui Ahu'ena Heiau Testimony Instructing Commissioners to Vote Against the Revised General Plan 204,5 -- I I am Lamaku Mikahala Roy, a Kahu and Kahunanui of Ahu'ena Heiau, at Kamakahonu, Kona, Hawai'i. My life unfolds as a series of miracles by God for the people of God and all of God's creations. Like Saint Joan de Arc, Joan of Arc, "the Maid," and Great Heroine of France, I hear the voices of HawaiTs Ancestors, Na 'O'iwi (the People of the Bones of the Pacific named the Firstborn of Akua). These voices come from the highest lineages of'O'iwi stationed at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty and who serve Most High God. These voices for Akua have guided me since 2010 and I have made reports to all government offices in Hawai'i including and especially Hawai'i County. Mauna a Wakea is located in Hawai'i County. Mauna a Wakea is the heart of the Earth. As such, Akua guides me to express Great Information to the World. Akua guides me to express that The First Kingdom of God upon the Planet was Kamakahonu. Akua guides me to express that the First Kingdom of Akua at Kamakahonu IS RESTORED by Most High God by Akua's Chosen Ruler King AIN Nui M6`1 Edmund K. Palo - Silva II. The identity of this Ruler arrived from Heaven by the Heavenly Messenger, Ka 'Io The Heavenly Hawk) who gave his life for this revelation to us, on May 10, 2015, Sunday, Mother's Day. No man nor any creation anywhere has any power over Almighty Akua Manamanaloa Most High God). AKUA REIGNS IN AUTHORITY& DOMINION UPON THE EARTH AND EVERYWHERE. All residents of Hawai'i County opposed to the revised General Plan 2o45, are in good company. We are surrounded and guided by all of the Helpers (Angels, Guides, &More) ofAkua Manamanaloa Most High God-- the Divine Creator of Heaven and Earth. See this document for what it is --the foreign, rushed document of words reflecting greed with intent to change the pristine first lands created by Akua and first lovingly cared for by `O'iwi. `O'iwi honored Akua and honored the lands. WE still honor Akua and the lands. In Hawai'i we have the opportunity to plan most wisely for the care of the lands as Akua: God wishes them cared for. By spiritual oral history, In H-A-W-A-I-'I (meaning The Breath, the Spirit of Most High God), first known as K-A-L-U-A-O-K-A-L-A-N-I (meaning The Second Heaven), our Ancestors knew life as it was in the beginning. We, M-A-U-L-I-A-U-H-O-N-U-A, -- descendants and established families of the land, know by our family lineages our Hawai'i as it was in the beginning -- and we are to honor ourselves for our great perseverance that we may continue to love and care for our Hawai'i in Keaulama, Era of Light --a world of healing without end created by Akua. We hold to the meaning of the precious words we here, all grew up by-- 'Aloha Kekahi i Kekahi', admonishing us to 'Love One Another'. Declared by Most High God, I am HRM Ka'I omana'ulaokalaniki'eki'eloakeahi'ena'enamauokalaulani. The Supreme One of the Sacred Power of the Highest Heaven The Eternal Fires of the Numerous Heavens. I now call to hear from the Mauliauhonua (first families of the lands) of the six districts of our land, Hawai'i Island. Commissioners you hold these meetings when the people of the lands work and cannot attend. Your actions to rush these proceedings are seen. Your actions to deliberately NOT hear from the kupa citizens native of this land are KNOWN! In the Light of Day and in the Light&Righteousness of Akua Manamanaloa, Most High God, Commissioners, YOU ARE NOT TO RECOMMEND THIS DRAFT GENERAL PLAN. Mauliauhonua of the Six Moku o ka Mokupuni o Hawai'i and all who truly love Hawai'i, a ho'okuano'o - ponder deeply all expressed this day! O Kohala i ka makani 'apa'apa'a Kohala of the apa'a wind O Kona i ke kai malino Kona of the calm seas O Ka'u i ke ku'ehu lepo Ka'u of the wind swept back O Puna paia 'ala o ka hala Puna fragrant with the bowers of the hala blossoms O Hilo i ka ua kanilehua Hilo in the rains that pelt the lehua O Hamakua i ka lele koa'e Hamakua where the koa'efly From:Tina Montejano To:WPCtestimony Subject:Against The General Plan Date:Thursday, February 6, 2025 5:29:43 PM Aloha, To whom it may concern, I am writing because I am not in favor of the General plan to go through. There are way too many restrictions regarding land and land building on personal property for county or park buildings and home ownership grey areas that this is not constitutional and doe not sit well with the people here in Hawaii! Please put in my testimony as not for this plan. Mahalo, Tina Montejano (808)938-6524 From:M. Lahilahi Heen To:WPCtestimony Subject:GP Opposition Date:Friday, February 7, 2025 9:02:36 AM URGENT 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. Theplan lacks feasibility, overestimates resource availability, and places undue burdens on taxpayers andrural communities.1. Unrealistic Transportation Goals The plan prioritizes multi-modal transit and emerging technologies while neglecting practicalinfrastructure 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 AffordabilityThe 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 ImpracticalThe 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, Hawaiʻi struggles to retain talent due to the high cost of living. ● Tourism Mismanagement: Reducing tourism’s footprint is economically dangerous, as it remains Hawaiʻi’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 balancedapproach should: 1. Focus on essential infrastructure first, ensuring roads, utilities, and housing affordability beforeinvesting in speculative technology. 2. Encourage private-sector solutions rather than increasing government intervention in housing andeconomic 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 From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony Subject:re: GP Testimony (Why are you not representing the people?) Date:Friday, February 7, 2025 8:41:09 AM Aloha, My testimony yesterday said that you are required, not requested, required to not move this plan forward. Otherwise, the whole public testimony is a farce and you've wasted our time! You've heard for over 6-months people crying and angry telling you reasons, giving you pagenumbers of why this plan should not go through! Yesterday, I had hoped that the Westward Commission would vote to not recommend this plan as you are required to do. You are sitting in a volunteering seat that is meant to representthe people and the people have told you for over 6-months NOT to put this plan through! Instead all you've done is changed wording. That will not fix the many issues wrong with this plan and the effects it will have on Big Island communities. That is putting a bandaid on abreaking dam! This plan with its zero emissions, electric vehicle mandates, clustered housing, stakeholders meaning anyone in the entire world has a voice in this plan, making Big Island mostlyConservation land (the "mistake" of changing an Urban land use to Conservation should STOP this plan immediately), and so forth is a fascist plan that will destroy this island andyou've been told that for over 6-months! When will you do your kuleana and honor your seat as a representative of the people? The message you are sending is that people have no voice and what we say doesn't matter because Big Government will steamroll us and there is no one who will stand up for thepeople! Regards, 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Rebecca MelendezTo:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony; cdp@hawaii.gov; Planning General Plan; Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Galimba, MichelleM.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James Subject:Please OPPOSE 2045 General PlanDate:Saturday, February 8, 2025 7:04:11 PM As an off-and-on resident of the Big Island for over thirty years, I have witnessed the gradual erosion of our rights due to the actions of the Hawai'i County Planning Department. The department's proposed 2045 General Plan is beyond comprehension for the average citizen, with complexities that beg for transparency and accountability. Tragically, this plan includes Land Title Changes, which are deeply concerning. When someone in the Hawai’i County Planning meeting opposed a land use title change, the director dismissed it as an “oversight.” This raises serious questions about the number of oversights in their final draft. Changing land use titles strips us of our rights to private property and introduces vague, yet potentially harmful, rezoning measures. Furthermore, the plan includes ambitions to create a broadband and smart grid, a lofty goal for an island lacking the necessary resources. This raises significant questions about the feasibility and environmental implications of such projects. It's crucial to ensure that these changes DO NOT proceed. We must continue to push for transparency and accountability in these decisions to protect our land, Island, and future What's more distressing is that the Hawai’i County Planning Department seems to always focus on high-end development initiatives that overtax our resources and infrastructure instead of considering the voices of our community. A clear example was when 18,569 voices opposed development in a petition. Yet, Zendo Kern, the Hawai'i Planning Director at the time, ignored these voices and stated the resort would not hurt the land even with articles like these two: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/cautionary-tale-2019-coral-bleaching-event- hawaii#:~:text=Coral%20Bleaching%20Is%20Occurring%20more,had%20catastrophic%20impacts%20state%2Dwide https://coral.org/en/where-we-work/hawaiian- islands/#:~:text=Hawai%CA%BBi's%20reefs%20face%20major%20global,into%20Hawai%CA%BBi's%20waterways%20every%20day This is the petition he ignored: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/854/086/898/residents-who-oppose-the-resort-in-punaluu- ka%C5%AB/ This is the article showing Kern’s opposition over local voices: https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/hundreds-of-hawaii-island- residents-protest-proposed-housing-project-in-punaluu/ Additionally, we urge Mayor Kimo Alameda to reappoint a new Hawai'i County Planning Director. Jeff Darrow's 26 years with the Hawai'i Planning Department, supporting Zendo Kern, have demonstrated a lack of commitment to the land and local voices. These voices have consistently opposed high-end developments, advocating instead for the conservation of the land for endangered species and the island's future. Jeff Darrow's support against local voices in the past years shows he is not the right fit for the job, and we demand that accountability be served. We need a Planning Director who prioritizes island resources and infrastructure over high-end developments, favors land conservation, and listens to and supports local voices. We need someone who will work to ensure the Big Island retains its unique character and doesn't turn into another Oahu. I stand, and OPPOSE Hawi'i County Planning General Plan for the reasons stated: In the General Plan Page 79 9.4 Support mechanisms, such as PUD and Cluster Plan Development (CPD), that group parcel density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds. The General Plan DOES NOT explain what a PUD means. Taken from this site: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/what-is-a-planned-unit-development/ "A planned unit development, or PUD, is a community of single-family homes, and sometimes condos or townhomes, where every homeowner belongs to a homeowners association (HOA)." Taken from this site: https://www.zillow.com/learn/what_is_pud/ "To most home shoppers, a planned unit development (PUD) may look like a single-family home. But the legal structure for a PUD is more similar to that of a condo and can impact the mortgage process." "Again, you’ll need to read all these documents to determine whether that specific PUD is right for you. And remember, all PUDs are different, so each one will have its own set of rules and restrictions." Page 80 9.f Study the feasibility, issues, and opportunities related to the development of a TDR program to strategically preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent with the land use pattern in accordance with the General Plan Land Use Maps. It's deeply frustrating that the Hawai'i County Planning Department isn't transparently explaining its Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. It feels like they’re pushing for land use changes that suit their vision without respecting the community’s strong, unified opposition over the last six months. In every meeting, 100% of the community has voiced their disapproval, yet it seems those concerns aren't acknowledged. General Plan Page 87 Everything below is to enforce their TDR program, which they are not explaining. 13.1 Encourage flexibility in the design of residential sites, buildings, and related facilities to achieve a diversity of socio-economic housing mix and innovative means of meeting the market requirements. 13.2 Prioritize increase in density, rehabilitation, and redevelopment within existing zoned urban areas already served by basic infrastructure, or close to such areas. 13.4 Encourage the rehabilitation and/or utilization of maximum density in multi-family residential areas. 13.8 Focus on medium- and high-density residential and commercial uses in communities that can sustain a higher intensity of uses and where consistent with General Plan Land Use Map and existing town character 13.9 Support the rezoning of land to multiple residential near places of employment, retail, utilities, and educational, recreational, cultural, and public facilities. Their efforts to align with the General Plan Land Use Map are causing significant changes across the island, which is a significant concern. For example, changing the land use title from agricultural to urban for Hokulia would allow developers to bypass the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) requirements, which are crucial for protecting the land and the community. This move could have profound implications for the environment and local residents. Moreover, they're not considering the island's resources, which are already under considerable strain. Please see these News Articles in this petition that show how the Big Island is dealing with resource and infrastructure issues because Hawai’i County Planning is not making it a priority https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and- visit Page 149 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart grid development Hawai’i County Planning doesn’t talk about the power broadband and a smart grid will need, and Hawai’i Electric states, “That’s why we will need everyone to work together over the next month, and possibly longer, to conserve electricity. We are extremely tight on what we call our generation margin, the margin between the demand for electricity and our ability to supply it. This demand typically peaks on weekdays between 5 and 9 p.m. and that’s when the margin is most critical.” https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/an-update-on-hawaii-island-power-generation The island doesn’t have the power for broadband or a smart grid. https://smartgrid.ieee.org/resources?cafid=0&id=223: “A smart grid alone does three things. First, it modernizes power systems through self-healing designs, automation, remote monitoring and control… Thus, a smart grid sits at the heart of the smart city, which cannot fully exist without it”. Also, a Smart Grid will allow them to have more control through “remote monitoring,” which will invade our privacy. https://minnovation.com.au/smart-cities-2/disadvantages-of-smart-cities-potential-challenges-and-concerns/: “Privacy and Data Security: Smart cities rely heavily on the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data from sensors, cameras, and connected devices. This data is crucial for optimizing city operations and services. However, extensive data gathering raises concerns about privacy infringement and data security. Citizens worry about their personal information being accessed or misused.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402414011X: Drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid: Continuous communication network should be available. During emergency situation, network congestion or performance are big challenges in smart grid system. Cellular network providers do not provide guaranteed service in abnormal situations such as wind storm, heavy rain and lightening conditions. Some smart meters can be hacked which can be used to increase or decrease the demand for power. It is expensive to install smart meter compare to traditional old electricity meter. Hawai’i County Planning Department does NOT have any research about how a broadband and smart grid will affect the health of the island, its community, animals, and plants. For example, at the bottom of this article, it states https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/11104/the-dangers-that-come-with-a-smart-grid: “Re: The Dangers That Come with a Smart Grid #1 John Endres 2018-Feb-23 2:31 PM One very critical danger that comes with a "smart grid" was not mentioned: the adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields. Current estimates of people experiencing adverse health effects from wireless technology hover at around 5%--I am one of them. After the installation of a water utility smart meter at my place of work, I experienced an escalation of symptoms (over time) that started with headaches and ultimately culminated in a seizure (I lost control of my legs). One month prior to the smart meter installation I had a complete annual physical and was given a clean bill of health. I underwent a barrage of medical tests after a week of experiencing health symptoms (thyroid, EEG, MRI, etc.) and everything was normal. I did begin to feel some of the painful head and eye sensations (that I would feel near wireless sources) at the end of the MRI.” Nor do they have any research on health risks with cell towers that they are allowing to be placed anywhere, and some of these cell tower tops are just a few feet from residential homes, HWY, and retirement homes…because a lot of the island is a mountain. If you put the base of a cell tower on one street, the top could be directly across from the community. https://mdsafetech.org/cell-tower-health-effects/: *** Percentage of studies that reported harmful effect of EMR in various groups in MOEF Report Human Effects– 62% showed effects, 13% no effect and 25% inconclusive Plant Effects– 87% showed effects and 13% were inconclusive Wildlife Effects- 62% showed effects, 4% no effect and 36% inconclusive Bee Effects—85% showed effects and 15% no effect Bird Effects- 77% showed effects, 10% no effect and 13% inconclusive “Overall results of this review show three types of effects by base station antennas on the health of people: radiofrequency sickness (RS), cancer (C) and changes in biochemical parameters (CBP). Considering all the studies reviewed globally (n = 38), 73.6% (28/38) showed effects: 73.9% (17/23) for radiofrequency sickness, 76.9% (10/13) for cancer and 75.0% (6/8) for changes in biochemical parameters...Of special importance are the studies performed on animals or trees near base station antennas that cannot be aware of their proximity and to which psychosomatic effects can never be attributed.” It's concerning that the Hawai'i County Planning Department isn't providing detailed information about the potential disadvantages of broadband and smart grid projects. They seem to be focusing on the benefits without addressing the possible negative impacts, especially when the island lacks the extra power for it. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402414011X: "However smart grids, being computerized remote-control systems overseeing electricity distribution, are vulnerable to cyberattacks." 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in the Code. Hawai’i Planning does not explain that they use the word “sitting” to mean the laying of cable underground. The term "siting of new communications facilities" is extremely confusing. It generally refers to the process of selecting and preparing locations for new infrastructure, such as towers and cables, needed to support broadband and smart grid projects. This often involves road construction and can lead to increased traffic and disruptions because these cables need to be laid underground. These cables could be laid shallow as this site states https://primex.com/fiber-optic-internet-going-underground/: “The terrain and the local conditions need to be taken into account when considering underground broadband deployment. In rocky terrain, cable must be laid in a shallow trench.” https://pulsefibre.co.uk/2023/06/15/when-more-is-less-the-risks-and-downsides-of-overbuild/: “Cost: Fibre optic broadband infrastructure can be an expensive endeavour, especially if it involves duplicating existing networks. This cost can ultimately be passed on to consumers, making broadband services more expensive and potentially reducing the adoption rate of fibre optic services. Inefficiency: As mentioned above, overbuilding can lead to dormant infrastructure, creating wasted resources and increased environmental impact. This is particularly relevant in the case of fibre optic broadband, where installing fibre can be resource intensive. Fragmentation: When different service providers own and operate various parts of the infrastructure, it can make it difficult for consumers to switch between providers and could result in reduced competition. Legal and regulatory issues: Particularly in cases where existing service providers have exclusive rights to operate in certain areas. This can result in lengthy legal battles that delay the deployment of new infrastructure. Maintenance: Increased maintenance costs can occur, especially if there is redundant infrastructure that needs to be maintained. This can ultimately lead to higher costs for consumers or reduced network quality – something we are wholeheartedly against at Pulse Fibre. Technology obsolescence: Expensive upgrades or replacements may be required down the line if new infrastructure is not designed to accommodate future upgrades. Wasted resources: Overbuilding for fibre solutions can result in the waste of valuable resources, including time, money, and materials. Environmental: Overbuilding multiplies CO2 emissions as duplicate workforces are deployed, travelling more miles, digging more holes and creating a piecemeal labour profile. As well as laying more raw materials which may never get used. More information can be found on the Journal of Lightwave Technology.” It's concerning that the Hawai'i County Planning Department isn't addressing the increasing traffic issues while pushing for broadband and smart grid projects. Infrastructure, especially roadways, is already under significant strain, and these new projects will exacerbate the problem rather than alleviate it. General Plan Page 87 13.13 Support master planning by public and private institutions and landowners which emphasize TOD, affordable housing, and mixed- use development. Page 117 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. Hawai’i County Planning Department mentions “Master Planning and Ordinances” but they DO NOT explain what these are in their 2045 General Plan. Page 89 13.44 The development or designation of new resort areas should complement the character of the area; protect the environment and natural beauty; respect existing lifestyles, cultural practices, and cultural resources; and provide shoreline public access. Page 142 28.11 The County shall ensure that golf course developments develop and implement grading and site preparation plans to... It's frustrating to see so many development applications going up all over when the Big Island clearly does not need more resorts and golf courses. The island is already facing resource issues with existing developments, and there are still many years of already-approved projects that haven't even been started yet. The island needs sustainable development that prioritizes the well-being of residents and the conservation of the island's resources. Please read this petition: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here- and-visit "The West Hawai’i Sanitary Landfill, the only remaining landfill on the Big Island, is forecast to reach capacity within the next 20 to 25 years." https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/17/big-island-now-poll-no-27-results-more-than-one-solution-needed-to-help-extend- life-of-west-hawaii-landfill/ "Water issues are not just happening ‘somewhere else’. In Hawaii the finite boundaries of each island requires geographically defined water self-sufficiency systems that are reliable, safe, and expandable. On each island there are dozens of micro-climates and varied geologic features that impact the availability, methods, and costs to access safe water. http://www.oneisland.org/hawaii/green- resources/water "HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.” https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ 14.1 Support the State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with the General Plan Rural designation. What is the General Plan Rural Designation? Is this more high-end land use titles changing from agriculture to rural? Page 111 17.4 Land use applications shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the County’s open space network. Who decides what a living corridor is? Is this the county's way of taking private land areas away through a Land Use Application? I firmly oppose the Hawai’i County Planning Department’s 2045 General Plan. I demand the reappointment of the Hawai’i Planning Director to someone who will prioritize addressing Big Island resources, conserving the land, and listening to local voices. We need a leader who will stand with the community, not high-end developers, to preserve the unique character and future of the Big Island. Rebecca Melendez From:Laura Kahulamu To:Martha Stephens Cc:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Re: February 2025 Testimony General Plan 2045 : "Economy and Monitoring" Date:Sunday, February 9, 2025 5:17:01 PM Aloha e Martha,Thank you for sending me good information. Great job. I hope this doesn't happen. Hawai'i won't be the same. I hope you have a great evening. Mahalo a Aloha, Laura On Sun, Feb 9, 2025, 10:34 AM Martha Stephens <martha@marthafineart.com> wrote:Testimony General Plan 2045 Martha Stephens, Kealia, HI To:Hawaii Island Planning Commission, County Council and Mayor Dear public representatives and elected officials, This is my sworn testimony. I am committed to tell the absolute truth about the goals and intendedoutcomes of General Plan 2045 and implore you as our representatives to not allow this to beapproved for Hawaii Island.I ask you how do you envision the Big Island in the future and does it need high technology?The General Plan 2045 is not a recommendation it is a calculated blue print of verbiage tocreate the infrastructure needed for a high tech digital economy.I had prepared to speak Thursday about “Economy and Monitoring”, the topic that was given atthe last meeting in January, but it obviously changed to Transportation? Which, at this juncture isbeating a dead horse and a fraction of the agenda at hand. I was going to speak Friday but the meeting was canceled.I am excited to discuss this Economic Action Plan and point out how most of it is about buildinghigh-speed technology that would be needed for the reset control grid of global governance. One must educate ones self on the global goals in the world to see through these “recommendations”.Table 61: Thriving, Diverse, Regenerative Economy ActionsEmerging Industries?Manufacturing??Economic Diversification????Ask yourself why it is so important for Hawaii to have such a massive infrastructure and freefull spectrum wifi internet? The “sustainable/resillient” global agenda has already been occurring for a very long time inHawaii through millions of dollars of Federal and international funding to our state. This is one recent funding- Hawaii secures over $6M to bridge digital divide Have you taken the time to study the details of what all this new economy is about and thefinal end game for each and every State? The new economy for the world will be a Quantum everything and everyone. Emphasis onmanufacturing and emerging industries and expanded government with a need for 50% more energy to run all the super AI computing. No wonder this big goal has to cut human energy use! In regard to agriculture there is not much content or intention here. Who are the agriculturalstakeholders? What do the farmers want and need in this special environment? Major Corporatetechnology? You can bet Hawaii will need a mini Silicon Valley to run what is planned and food is not high onthe list. As with all the “Agenda” planning one must think critically to figure out what it is really being said as there is no thesaurus. In case you have not studied it this is just one small article about theplan that can easily be found. Agenda 21“ Think Globally act locally” is the UN Agenda 21 propaganda catch phrase. \https://www.nislowgrow.org/slog-blog/ok-what-is-u-n- agenda-21-and-why-should-i-care/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21- and-why-should-i-care/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21-and-why- should-i-care What are all these AI Data Centers are needed for:-Digital ID’s including biometrics -Human Health Monitoring (Wireless Internal sensors)-Fiscal Control to Central Bankers. AI Governance and the purge of civil servants.-Social Credit System.-Crypto Push for a cashless society As part of the educated public we all believe that you represent our human rights and financialinterests and are not in fear of rejecting this system and can and will say NO to the General Plan2045. We can only hope the incredible amount of funding coming to Hawaii for this agenda will not sway your decisions. We respect that you are service to others not service to self in thesematters.Thank you for doing what the people are requesting. The right thing for us all. Sincerely and respectfully yours,Martha StephensKealia, HI 408-978-0354 From:Martha Stephens To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:February 2025 Testimony General Plan 2045 : "Economy and Monitoring" Date:Sunday, February 9, 2025 10:35:49 AM Attachments:Testimony Feb 7 2025.pages Total Enslavement of the planet by 2030.pages END GOAL.jpg Testimony General Plan 2045 Martha Stephens, Kealia, HI To:Hawaii Island Planning Commission, County Council and Mayor Dear public representatives and elected officials, This is my sworn testimony. I am committed to tell the absolute truth about the goals and intendedoutcomes of General Plan 2045 and implore you as our representatives to not allow this to beapproved for Hawaii Island. I ask you how do you envision the Big Island in the future and does it need high technology?The General Plan 2045 is not a recommendation it is a calculated blue print of verbiage to createthe infrastructure needed for a high tech digital economy.I had prepared to speak Thursday about “Economy and Monitoring”, the topic that was given at the last meeting in January, but it obviously changed to Transportation? Which, at this juncture isbeating a dead horse and a fraction of the agenda at hand. I was going to speak Friday but themeeting was canceled.I am excited to discuss this Economic Action Plan and point out how most of it is about buildinghigh-speed technology that would be needed for the reset control grid of global governance. Onemust educate ones self on the global goals in the world to see through these “recommendations”.Table 61: Thriving, Diverse, Regenerative Economy ActionsEmerging Industries?Manufacturing??Economic Diversification????Ask yourself why it is so important for Hawaii to have such a massive infrastructure and freefull spectrum wifi internet? The “sustainable/resillient” global agenda has already been occurring for a very long time in Hawaiithrough millions of dollars of Federal and international funding to our state. This is one recent funding- Hawaii secures over $6M to bridge digital divide Have you taken the time to study the details of what all this new economy is about and the finalend game for each and every State?The new economy for the world will be a Quantum everything and everyone. Emphasis onmanufacturing and emerging industries and expanded government with a need for 50% more energy to run all the super AI computing. No wonder this big goal has to cut human energy use! In regard to agriculture there is not much content or intention here. Who are the agriculturalstakeholders? What do the farmers want and need in this special environment? Major Corporatetechnology? You can bet Hawaii will need a mini Silicon Valley to run what is planned and food is not high onthe list. As with all the “Agenda” planning one must think critically to figure out what it is really being said as there is no thesaurus. In case you have not studied it this is just one small article about the planthat can easily be found. Agenda 21“ Think Globally act locally” is the UN Agenda 21 propaganda catch phrase.\https://www.nislowgrow.org/slog-blog/ok-what-is-u-n- agenda-21-and-why-should-i-care/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21- and-why-should-i-care/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21-and-why- should-i-care What are all these AI Data Centers are needed for:-Digital ID’s including biometrics -Human Health Monitoring (Wireless Internal sensors)-Fiscal Control to Central Bankers. AI Governance and the purge of civil servants.-Social Credit System.-Crypto Push for a cashless society As part of the educated public we all believe that you represent our human rights and financialinterests and are not in fear of rejecting this system and can and will say NO to the General Plan2045. We can only hope the incredible amount of funding coming to Hawaii for this agenda will not sway your decisions. We respect that you are service to others not service to self in these matters.Thank you for doing what the people are requesting. The right thing for us all. Sincerely and respectfully yours,Martha StephensKealia, HI 408-978-0354 Testimony General Plan 2045 Martha Stephens, Kealia, HI To: Hawaii Island Planning Commission, County Council and Mayor Dear public representatives and elected officials, This is my sworn testimony. I am committed to tell the absolute truth about the goals and intended outcomes of General Plan 2045 and implore you as our representatives to not allow this to be approved for Hawaii Island. I ask you how do you envision the Big Island in the future and does it need high technology? The General Plan 2045 is not a recommendation it is a calculated blue print of verbiage to create the infrastructure needed for a high tech digital economy. I had prepared to speak Thursday about “Economy and Monitoring”, the topic that was given at the last meeting in January, but it obviously changed to Transportation? Which, at this juncture is beating a dead horse and a fraction of the agenda at hand. I was going to speak Friday but the meeting was canceled. I am excited to discuss this Economic Action Plan and point out how most of it is about building high-speed technology that would be needed for the reset control grid of global governance. One must educate ones self on the global goals in the world to see through these “recommendations”. Table 61: Thriving, Diverse, Regenerative Economy Actions Emerging Industries? Manufacturing?? Economic Diversiﬁcation???? Ask yourself why it is so important for Hawaii to have such a massive infrastructure and free full spectrum wiﬁ internet? The “sustainable/resillient” global agenda has already been occurring for a very long time in Hawaii through millions of dollars of Federal and international funding to our state. This is one recent funding- https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ 2024/12/15/hawaii-news/hawaii-secures-over-6m-to-bridge-digital- divide/ Have you taken the time to study the details of what all this new economy is about and the ﬁnal end game for each and every State? The new economy for the world will be a Quantum everything and everyone. Emphasis on manufacturing and emerging industries and expanded government with a need for 50% more energy to run all the super AI computing. No wonder this big goal has to cut human energy use! In regard to agriculture there is not much content or intention here. Who are the agricultural stakeholders? What do the farmers want and need in this special environment? Major Corporate technology? You can bet Hawaii will need a mini Silicon Valley to run what is planned and food is not high on the list. As with all the “Agenda” planning one must think critically to ﬁgure out what it is really being said as there is no thesaurus. In case you have not studied it this is just one small article about the plan that can easily be found. Agenda 21“ Think Globally act locally” is the UN Agenda 21 propaganda catch phrase. \https://www.nislowgrow.org/slog-blog/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21- and-why-should-i-care/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21-and-why-should-i- care/ok-what-is-u-n-agenda-21-and-why-should-i-care What are all these AI Data Centers are needed for: -Digital ID’s including biometrics -Human Health Monitoring (Wireless Internal sensors) -Fiscal Control to Central Bankers. AI Governance and the purge of civil servants. -Social Credit System. -Crypto Push for a cashless society As part of the educated public we all believe that you represent our human rights and ﬁnancial interests and are not in fear of rejecting this system and can and will say NO to the General Plan 2045. We can only hope the incredible amount of funding coming to Hawaii for this agenda will not sway your decisions. We respect that you are service to others not service to self in these matters. Thank you for doing the right thing that the people are requesting. Sincerely and respectfully yours, Martha Stephens Kealia, HI 408-978-0354 The United Nations 2030 Agenda decoded: It's a blueprint for the global enslavement of humanity under the boot of corporate masters Friday, September 04, 2015 by Mike Adams, (NaturalNews) This week, Michael Snyder published an important article entitled The 2030 Agenda: This Month The UN Launches A Blueprint For A New World Order With The Help Of The Pope. That article references this UN "2030 Agenda" document that pushes a blueprint for so-called "sustainable development" around the world. This document describes nothing less than a global government takeover of every nation across the planet. The "goals" of this document are nothing more than code words for a corporate- government fascist agenda that will imprison humanity in a devastating cycle of poverty while enriching the world's most powerful globalist corporations like Monsanto and DuPont. In the interests of helping wake up humanity, I've decided to translate the 17 points of this 2030 agenda so that readers everywhere can understand what this document is really calling for. To perform this translation, you have to understand how globalists disguise their monopolistic agendas in "feel good" language. Here's the point-by-point translation. Notice carefully that nowhere does this document state that "achieving human freedom" is one of its goals. Nor does it explain HOW these goals are to be achieved. As you'll see here, every single point in this UN agenda is to be achieved through centralized government control and totalitarian mandates that resemble communism. Translation of the UN's "2030 Agenda blueprint for globalist government" (controlled by corporate interests) Goal 1) End poverty in all its forms everywhere Translation: Put everyone on government welfare, food stamps, housing subsidies and handouts that make them obedient slaves to global government. Never allow people upward mobility to help themselves. Instead, teach mass victimization and obedience to a government that provides monthly "allowance" money for basic essentials like food and medicine. Label it "ending poverty." Goal 2) End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Translation: Invade the entire planet with GMOs and Monsanto's patented seeds while increasing the use of deadly herbicides under the false claim of "increased output" of food crops. Engineer genetically modified plants to boost specific vitamin chemicals while having no idea of the long-term consequences of genetic pollution or cross-species genetic experiments carried out openly in a fragile ecosystem. Goal 3) Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Translation: Mandate 100+ vaccines for all children and adults at gunpoint, threatening parents with arrest and imprisonment if they refuse to cooperate. Push heavy medication use on children and teens while rolling out "screening" programs. Call mass medication "prevention" programs and claim they improve the health of citizens. Goal 4) Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Translation: Push a false history and a dumbed-down education under "Common Core" education standards that produce obedient workers rather than independent thinkers. Never let people learn real history, or else they might realize they don't want to repeat it. Goal 5) Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Translation: Criminalize Christianity, marginalize heterosexuality, demonize males and promote the LGBT agenda everywhere. The real goal is never "equality" but rather the marginalization and shaming of anyone who expresses any male characteristics whatsoever. The ultimate goal is to feminize society, creating widespread acceptance of "gentle obedience" along with the self- weakening ideas of communal property and "sharing" everything. Because only male energy has the strength to rise up against oppression and fight for human rights, the suppression of male energy is key to keeping the population in a state of eternal acquiescence. Goal 6) Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Translation: Allow powerful corporations to seize control of the world's water supplies and charge monopoly prices to "build new water delivery infrastructure" that "ensures availability." Goal 7) Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Translation: Penalize coal, gas and oil while pushing doomed-to- fail "green" energy subsidies to brain-dead startups headed by friends of the White House who all go bankrupt in five years or less. The green startups make for impressive speeches and media coverage, but because these companies are led by corrupt idiots rather than capable entrepreneurs, they always go broke. (And the media hopes you don't remember all the fanfare surrounding their original launch.) Goal 8) Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Translation: Regulate small business out of existence with government-mandated minimum wages that bankrupt entire sectors of the economy. Force employers to meet hiring quotas of LGBT workers while mandating wage tiers under a centrally planned work economy dictated by the government. Destroy free market economics and deny permits and licenses to those companies that don't obey government dictates. Goal 9) Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Translation: Put nations into extreme debt with the World Bank, spending debt money to hire corrupt American corporations to build large-scale infrastructure projects that trap developing nations in an endless spiral of debt. See the book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins to understand the details of how this scheme has been repeated countless times over the last several decades. Goal 10) Reduce inequality within and among countries Translation: Punish the rich, the entrepreneurs and the innovators, confiscating nearly all gains by those who choose to work and excel. Redistribute the confiscated wealth to the masses of non-working human parasites that feed off a productive economy while contributing nothing to it... all while screaming about "equality!" Goal 11) Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Translation: Ban all gun ownership by private citizens, concentrating guns into the hands of obedient government enforcers who rule over an unarmed, enslaved class of impoverished workers. Criminalize living in most rural areas by instituting Hunger Games-style "protected areas" which the government will claim are owned by "the People" even though no people are allowed to live there. Force all humans into densely packed, tightly controlled cities where they are under 24/7 surveillance and subject to easy manipulation by government. Goal 12) Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Translation: Begin levying punitive taxes on the consumption of fossil fuels and electricity, forcing people to live under conditions of worsening standards of living that increasingly resemble Third World conditions. Use social influence campaigns in TV, movies and social media to shame people who use gasoline, water or electricity, establishing a social construct of ninnies and tattlers who rat out their neighbors in exchange for food credit rewards. Goal 13) Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Translation: Set energy consumption quotas on each human being and start punishing or even criminalizing "lifestyle decisions" that exceed energy usage limits set by governments. Institute total surveillance of individuals in order to track and calculate their energy consumption. Penalize private vehicle ownership and force the masses onto public transit, where TSA grunts and facial recognition cameras can monitor and record the movement of every person in society, like a scene ripped right out of Minority Report. Goal 14) Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Translation: Ban most ocean fishing, plunging the food supply into an extreme shortage and causing runaway food price inflation that puts even more people into economic desperation. Criminalize the operation of private fishing vessels and place all ocean fishing operations under the control of government central planning. Only allow favored corporations to conduct ocean fishing operations (and make this decision based entirely on which corporations give the most campaign contributions to corrupt lawmakers). Goal 15) Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Translation: Roll out Agenda 21 and force humans off the land and into controlled cities. Criminalize private land ownership, including ranches and agricultural tracts. Tightly control all agriculture through a corporate-corrupted government bureaucracy whose policies are determined almost entirely by Monsanto while being rubber-stamped by the USDA. Ban woodstoves, rainwater collection and home gardening in order to criminalize self-reliance and force total dependence on government. Goal 16) Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels Translation: Grant legal immunity to illegal aliens and "protected" minority groups, which will be free to engage in any illegal activity -- including openly calling for the mass murder of police officers -- because they are the new protected class in society. "Inclusive institutions" means granting favorable tax structures and government grants to corporations that hire LGBT workers or whatever groups are currently in favor with the central planners in government. Use the IRS and other federal agencies to selectively punish unfavorable groups with punitive audits and regulatory harassment, all while ignoring the criminal activities of favored corporations that are friends of the political elite. Goal 17) Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development Translation: Enact global trade mandates that override national laws while granting unrestricted imperialism powers to companies like Monsanto, Dow Chemical, RJ Reynolds, Coca-Cola and Merck. Pass global trade pacts that bypass a nation's lawmakers and override intellectual property laws to make sure the world's most powerful corporations maintain total monopolies over drugs, seeds, chemicals and technology. Nullify national laws and demand total global obedience to trade agreements authored by powerful corporations and rubber-stamped by the UN. Total enslavement of the planet by 2030 As the UN document says, "We commit ourselves to working tirelessly for the full implementation of this Agenda by 2030." If you read the full document and can read beyond the fluffery and public relations phrases, you'll quickly realize that this UN agenda is going to be forced upon all the citizens of the world through the invocation of government coercion. Nowhere does this document state that the rights of the individual will be protected. Nor does it even acknowledge the existence of human rights granted to individuals by the Creator. Even the so- called "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" utterly denies individuals the right to self defense, the right to medical choice and the right to parental control over their own children. The UN is planning nothing less than a global government tyranny that enslaves all of humanity while calling the scheme "sustainable development" and "equality." 1984 has finally arrived. And of course it's all being rolled out under the fraudulent label of "progress." From:Kathy Johnson To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka Cc:Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Opposition to General Plan 2045 Date:Friday, February 14, 2025 10:27:22 AM Good Morning, Thank you for taking the time to read our concerns regarding General Plan 2045. Our family currently resides and owns property in Hilo and Papaikou. I have worked for a family with agriculture farming in Papaikou for the past 10 years and we absolutely made the right decision to live here and raise our family here. We love everything about living here and feel blessed to be part of our community and hope that we can someday be able to pass our home on to our family. We are very concerned and oppose many of the proposed changes in the General Plan 2045 being considered. There are many flaws in this plan that I believe will negatively impact both our community and our family directly. We are very concerned about water rights- this should not be privatized – everyone should have access to water without paying for it from a private source. We are also worried about what this plan could allow and the possible effects proposed would have on our ownership and use of our existing land. I work for a family who owns land that they actively farm for over 20 years, they harvest the land responsibly, provides revenue for our County, employment for so many, including myself, and preservation of the beautiful ag land we enjoy on the Big Island. The owner has always told me how special this place is, it is a safe place where you can live off the land and resources we have from farm to sea- but you have to give back to the land and community and not just take. What will happen if the proposed restrictions on land use, property rights and zoning negatively impacts agriculture on this island or for our neighbors? There is so much packed into this general plan and it lacks feasibility, overestimates resource availability and places undue burdens and risks on taxpayers and rural communities. We respectfully request that you oppose the current General Plan 2045 as it is currently written. Focus on resolving what is currently broken, ensuring roads, utilities and housing affordability are being addressed before adding expensive, unproven speculative technology. We fully understand that there is a need for sustainability, economic growth and infrastructure- this plan lacks feasibility, overestimates resource availability and we believe will place undue burdens on taxpayers and rural communities located throughout the island. We thank you for listening to our concerns and hope that you will oppose the General Plan 2045. Mahalo, Kathy & Brennan Johnson along with Bryan Johnson and Linda Smith 109 Panaewa Street, Hilo, HI 96720 From:Kathy Johnson To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka Cc:Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov; ashamallick@gmail.com Subject:Theodora Mallick Opposition to General Plan 2045 Date:Friday, February 14, 2025 8:13:24 PM Sent on Behalf of Theodora Mallick, 808-936-0811 Cell. ashamallick@gmail.com. She is unable to send from the location she is in and asked me to share the following message on her behalf. She welcomes you to call her to verify if there is any question about the validity of this email. Thank you. Good Evening, I respectfully request that you please oppose General Plan 2045 in its’ current version and form. I have lived in and farmed land all around this beautiful island. My business has provided employment to many people from Kau to Papaikou, including fruit and mac nut orchards as well as cattle, honey, etc. Myself along with my children own several commercial properties in downtown Hilo. We are very invested in Hilo and are happy to be part of this wonderful community. I received steward of the land for my work in conservation and preservation of the neglected sugar cane land I farm in Papaikou so I do understand the need to balance everything. It took me over a decade to restore and create the farms my family owns here. I have been here for just over 30 years and I am proud to call Hilo my home. I am very concerned about what this proposed legislation will do for water rights, which is vital to agriculture and especially for our cattle, what changes will be made to zoning – especially with regards to ag land. There are so many infrastructure issues that need to be addressed and should be of the highest priority over what is proposed here- let’s take care of our roadways, bridges, sidewalks, downtown Hilo bayfront. Once all of that is taken care of we can look to putting in more infrastructure that makes the most sense. I am also concerned that the cost for all of this will fall to property owners and residents which would be an unfair burden given all that is going on with the almost elimination of mac nut production and the difficulty we have shipping perishable fruit off the island to customers in the mainland due to issues with weight and having our shipments bumped and therefore not delivered. With the reduction in income from the loss of mac nuts and the other challenges with expenses of exporting, having more expense would be devastating financially to our family run businesses. We need your support and ask that you please oppose this general plan. Thank you, Asha Mallick and family- Maya Mallick, Angela Mallick and Monika Mallick From:Dea Rackley To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Subject line: DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045 Date:Sunday, February 16, 2025 11:57:20 AM Subject line: DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Email to model is below (optional):Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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. Sent from my iPhone From:Bauer, Jackson M To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Cc:Terrence Noda; Chuck Flaherty Subject:Testimony for General Plan comprehensive review Date:Tuesday, February 18, 2025 2:33:30 PM Attachments:NAH AC FINAL Letter re General Plan.pdf Aloha Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions, On behalf of the Hawai‘i Island Nā Ala Hele Advisory Council, attached please find written testimony in regards to the comprehensive review of the General Plan. ************************************************ Jackson M. Bauer Hawai‘i Island Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Specialist, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources 19 East Kawili Street Hilo, Hawai?i 96720 808-657-8041 jackson.m.bauer@hawaii.gov ************************************************ From:Adele Henkel To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka;ames.hustace@hawaiicounty.gov; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Reject Hawaii Island General Plan 2045 Date:Thursday, February 20, 2025 10:02:16 AM People, Over all, here are my objections to this planning: NO destruction of democratic governance and structures to create a TECHNOCRACY (science of social governance by scientism and engineering) NO forced re-organization of human society in the name of track-trace&control systems for national/international 'security', nor advanced wireless 'health care' systems, by GLOBALIST entities (who are anti personal-state- national sovereignty) NO uninformed consent to TRANSHUMANISM (i.e. NOT human: augmented via electronic/wireless technology - genetically altered - bio digitally converged into an advanced AI-based computer system of control); i.e. loss of a person's autonomy over mind-body-spirit NO unrepresentative foreign and domestic elite few practicing EUGENICS on populations (practicing 'human husbandry' to decide who lives and who dies); a greedy few on this earth seem to want boundless power and property (including Hawaii) We all are facing actions that are unthinkable and unspeakable, And, we must. Don't turn your faces away. Thank you for taking this to heart! AH Kailua Kona From:Davina To:WPCtestimony Cc:LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; ames.hustace@hawaiicounty.gov;cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Thursday, February 20, 2025 8:33:35 AM Aloha Commissioners, County Council, and Mayor - The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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. With Aloha & Gratitude,Donna “Davina” Dufault Live Aloha Love Now From:Heather Masunaga To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba,Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Onishi, Dennis; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Kimball, Heather Subject:DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Thursday, February 20, 2025 5:46:54 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. I find it really hard to believe any TRUELOCAL helped design this plan!!! The reason I say that is because government transparency has notbeen displayed to the people of Hawaii. I’m tired of decisions being made behind closed doors andwithout the consent of THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII when we are directly affected. A lot of times thepeople are finding out about these decisions after the fact, when it’s too late to do anything about it.Enough is enough!! Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most expertsstate there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger ClickHere! 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”. LocalCommunities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, andindividuals who live on Big Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affectedby projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effective local community engagementand management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensurethat diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 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 page188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land usewill be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drasticallylower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks theAloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be madepono again. 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for GoodMorning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other mediaoutlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is theinvestors, in renewable energy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan moveforward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, whenappropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives"mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring toobecause it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going topursing taking people's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This planshould be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for BigIsland! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a residentof 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.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island!!!!! Heather Masunaga Sent from Proton Mail for iOS From:Susie Jenkins To:WPCtestimony Subject:I appose this plan! Date:Thursday, February 20, 2025 8:59:31 AM Big Island General Plan 2045 could give our property to the State!Land Use changing Residential to Recreation DROPS property value!Plan could set up MANY opportunities for State to take your land & Rezone.Plan could regulate OFF-GRID living!Plan will further STRESS electric grid increasing prices!AND MORE!I appose this plan. C.S. Jenkins Ronjsusie@ hotmail.co, From:sharkgss To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony for General Plan 24FEB2025- DO NOT RECOMMEND TO GO THRUDate:Friday, February 21, 2025 2:11:16 PM Aloha Commissioners, This is one of many testimonies regarding the General Plan I have submitted in the previous months, my emphasis is on the bigger picture and I highlyrecommend as a 33 year Federal security and investigations expert to study the links below to gain familiarity with space weather and geoengineering whichare direct threats not referenced anywhere in the plan. I strongly encourage each of you to NOT recommend this plan go thru, reverting to the 2005 plan which is in better alignment with the needs ofour county until a satisfactory document can be agreed upon by the people. Revisions on the 2005 document would be a much easier place to start. There are numerous issues with the 2045 Plan itself outlined in hundreds of in person and written testimonies. The public is 100% against it since it is a violation of privacy rights, based on junk science, fails to address critical issues, written for stakeholders, and is an overreach of government. This plan is based off a template handed down thru the United Nations Agenda 21. This document is a good overview to educate county planning andlegislative officials on AGENDA 21 and should be mandatory reading. https://nwri.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/How-Public-Officials-can-Recognize-Agenda-21.pdf 1. The State and County ARE corporations and have no right to acquire land. The proposed re-zoning is excessive overreach for the benefit of stakeholders and will affect landowners tremendously. This will open up the county for massive legal recourse that will tie up county resources for many years. 2. Reference to climate change caused by humans is unproven junk science (see additional resources below). References to "carbon footprint", "net zero", "greenhouse gas", "green infrastructure" and / or "climate adaptation" are not relevant nor is carbon dioxide sequestration which is a really really stupid idea, waste of tax payer funds and energy, and will further degrade our flora and fauna. 3. The State and County corporations are not acting on behalf of its residents and clearly acting on behalf of stakeholders. 4. The word "stakeholder" inserted instead of "land owner" or "farmer/rancher" is highly disturbing. 5. No one on the Big Island wants to live in SMART cities, this is a rural county and the needs of the plan should reflect this to include access to meat processing centers. 6. Close down the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as NOBODY VOTED FOR THIS OFFICE TO BE STARTED and it is a HUGE waste of resources. 7. The governments intention for "inspection" or "surveillance" or "inventory" of land and water catchment is in direct violation of privacy rights. 8. Plan does not include language for safeguarding against the danger of emerging technology, including 5G. Language needs to be drafted regarding technology easements based on health studies conducted by 3rd party with no conflict of interest. 9. "Vision Zero" has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 10. "One Water" refers to a North America group and has NO RELEVANCE for our island. 11. There is no clear plan for strengthening infrastructure and power grid against space weather. 12. The document contains no explanation how the county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications) due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been diligently preparing for due to weakening magnetosphere (see additional resources below). 13. Ban "man made" weather modification, spraying of nano particulate in the atmosphere, and geoengineering activities that have a significant impact on health, property, and the environment. 14. Focus on harmful chemicals, pesticides such as glyphosate, and genetically altered organisms (including vectors of disease) from being released into the environment. 15. Implement severe restrictions for artificial intelligence data centers proposed by "stakeholders" that will drain the power grid. 16. Implement provisions regarding military training and operations that are transparent and safe for the environment. Depleted uranium dropped in the Saddle Region next to an active Volcano is NOT acceptable whatsoever, nor is excessive underground explosions that have been going on for years that parallel training operations at Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA). 17. Developers should not be granted relief from requirements for sidewalks, bike lanes, etc... a dedicated bike lane should be implemented on all major roads. 18. Include information on the drawbacks of electric vehicles to include draw on the grid, disposal of batteries, and fire dangers. Climate Mitigation Basis for Plan is Unfounded A great deal of content is based on Climate Mitigation from human activity which has a minuscule effect on the earth's overall climate. Over 99% of the climate affects are driven by solar activity, cycles, and space weather. The document completely fails to mention the threat of space weather and is almost entirely focused on carbon emissions promoted by the United Nations Climate Agenda. Our Federal Government has been preparing for space weather threats for many years, yet the Hawai'i island GP lacks any reference to this even though critical infrastructure (energy, communications, transportation, and supply chain) is at risk due to increased solar radiation from our weakening magnetosphere. In 2015 the magnetosphere was down by 40% according to this Federal Doc. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1040918#:~:text=The%20research%20evaluates%20the%20impacts,reversals%20and%20adverse%20space%20weather In October of 2016 President Obama issued the following executive order Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events - Executive order 13744 (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-201600692 ) Section 1. Policy. Space weather events, in the form of solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances, occur regularly, some with measurable effects on critical infrastructure systems and technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations and communication, aviation, and the electrical power grid. Extreme space weather events—those that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure—could disable large portions of the electrical power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare, and transportation. Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector. It is the policy of the United States to prepare for space weather events to minimize the extent of economic loss and human hardship. The Federal Government must have (1) the capability to predict and detect a space weather event, (2) the plans and programs necessary to alert the public and private sectors to enable mitigating actions for an impending space weather event, (3) the protection and mitigation plans, protocols, and standards required to reduce risks to critical infrastructure prior to and during a credible threat, and (4) the ability to respond to and recover from the effects of space weather. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate their efforts to prepare for the effects of space weather events. Sec. 2. Objectives. This order defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather. These activities are to be implemented in conjunction with those identified in the 2015 National Space Weather Action Plan and any subsequent updates. Implementing this order and the Action Plan will require the Federal Government to work across agencies and to develop, as appropriate, enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; academia; non- profits; the private sector; and international partners. These efforts will enhance national preparedness and speed the creation of a space- weather-ready Nation. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events In October 2016 (about 10 days before the above executive order was signed) the Russian Government hosted a training event of 40 million civilians, 200,000 emergency rescuers and 50,000 units of equipment from October 4 to October 7, 2016. It took 3 days to do a mock evacuation of 40 million civilians into 5000 bunkers.This was a massive exercise carried out for the first time in modern history. A spokesman said in a statement: “The main goal of the drill is to practice organization of management during civil defense events and emergency and fire management, to check preparedness of management bodies and forces of civil defense on all levels to respond to natural and man-made disasters and to take civil defense measures.” https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/717446/russia-evacuate-40-million-people-emergency-drill-vladimir-putin-ww3 Resources Weather Modification/Geoengineering Man made geoengineering is an operation primarily used to block out solar radiation and create, distribute, and deflect weather systems. Its use over many decades is outside the scope of public knowledge and having significant impacts on our environment/weather to include increased super storms, fires, flooding, droughts, and causing very high levels of aluminum in the soil and tissue samples of all mammals. I personally have tested hundreds of humans and animals and seen very high levels in all hair analysis tests. This is why Monsanto developed aluminum resistant seeds, soil in North America is testing 40,000 times higher rates of aluminum in the last 2 decades. https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/links-to-geoengineering-patents/ Tennessee, Texas, Iowa and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills to ban this practice. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2024/03/20/tennessee-senate-passes-bill-banning-chemtrails-what-to-know/73027586007/ Maui county council passed a bill in 2010 to ban geoengineering and this link explains how it is being used to lessen the effects of solar radiation. There has been no public oversight or consent to these projects. http://mauiskywatch.org/info-official-reports/ It is clear based on the above information the governments of the world are preparing for space weather effects due to the weakening magnetic field, therefore it is critical that the county review and adopt their own contingency plan. Hawaii county should implement a ban on geoengineering before soil is too toxic with aluminum and when combined with glyphosate it can cross the blood brain barrier and render our soils inert. These issues are being brought to your attention as a big picture, there are many other concerns that need addressing that have been provided in previous testimony. The GP is a disaster for our environment since it fails to address some of the most critical issues, instead it is abundantly clear it is being used a control mechanism over free men and women designed to consolidate power to the hands of the stakeholders. GP as it stands has no place in Hawaii or anywhere else in the world and will ultimately fail. Mahalo for your service, Donna Thompson Kamuela, HI Sent with Proton Mail secure email. From:Donald To:Donald Subject:DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Sunday, February 23, 2025 3:31:32 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! 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. 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. 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. 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. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD- 241023.pdf 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. 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. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the 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 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! 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_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad408 31c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae9 49a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a72 4eee8304.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: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415 f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c02 07bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Kona Hawaii From:fred hofer To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony: Do Not Recommend Hawaii GP 2045 to County Council Date:Sunday, February 23, 2025 8:31:28 AM I strongly opposed that plan It is hewa Overreaching The language is dangerous Stop this plan Start from scratch Let Aunty Kalei write one whole chapter about Ahupua'a system Let Kanaka cultural practitioners input one chapter each. Every which way Consult the Kupuna Counsel & Really listen to their wisdom & knowing Scratch the whole thing - do throw it away Start fresh Mahalo for listening Hopeful, Fred Hofer Hilo From:Ken Honma To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka;ames.hustace@hawaiicounty.gov; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Cc:Stand Together Hawaii Subject:Vote No on GP2045 Date:Sunday, February 23, 2025 9:40:55 PM Feb 23, 2025 Dear Planning Commission members, Vote no confidence on the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. The plan lacks the most important element, which is a discussion of what the important quality of life issues are for the inhabitants of Hawaii County. What are the elements that make up and determine the happiness and quality of life for the inhabitants? Especially missing is the lack of any wording regarding liberty, and freedom inherited from our creator and guaranteed without abridgement to all inhabitants. In this process we are experiencing firsthand the blatant destruction of our form of government, meaning, a republic, it is we the people who decide what is best for us. The step-by-step disregard of the will of the people has brought us to this point; that so-called “codes” will override our god given rights like freedom to travel, freedom to own and develop property as we see fit, freedom to live where we choose. This plan is ignorant and silent on these fundamental concepts and is a treasonous document. You have no other lawful alternative but to reject this plan in its entirety. Sincerely, Ken Honma Kurtistown, Hi 96760 From:Steve Shropshire To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Ku"u Papaikou Agrivillage - Work Force Housing Project Date:Sunday, February 23, 2025 6:26:32 AM Attachments:Courrent Current Zoning and LUPAG Maps - For past 60 years.pdf Papaikou Agrivillage Kickoff Meeting #1 2.pdf Testimony - Leeward and Windward Planning Commission .pdf Dear Commissioners, Mahalo for the opportunity to provide the following testimony. Steve ShropshireP.O. Box 1146 Hilo, HI 96721steve@alohagreen.com 808-895-0372 Ku' u Papaikou PPP 1-12-23.key Papaikou Site Plan v1 (7).pdf Exis%ng Zoning Map LPAG Map Design Process Kickoff Meeting #| 03.16.2023 Papaikou Agrivillage ROSS CHAPIN ARCHITECTS The Kubala Washatko Architects Ross Chapin Architects 4110,500 +35 + 2,000 + ACRES OF MASTER PLANNING YE A R S IN PRACTICE EMPLOYEES PLANNING PROJECTS COMPLETED PROJECTS 30 TWORECIPIENT OF A I A C O M M IT TE E O N THE ENVIRONMENT (COTE) TOP TEN PROJECTS LABELCERTIFICATION SERVICES WE OFFER Site Master Planning Programming Code and Zoning Review Stakeholder Outreach Architecture Interior Design Graphic Design Wayfinding + Signage Sustainable Design Phasing Options Fund Raising Support Historic Preservation Cost Estimating Recreation Facility Design TKWA is a full-service architecture, urban planning, and interior design studio with offices in Milwaukee, Cedarburg, and Seattle. We embrace a design philosophy of Wholeness, where the built environment supports and enhances both human activity and natural living systems. D E S I G N F I R M I N WI TO BECOME A PU B LI C B E N E F IT CORPORATION F1RST BY THE NUMBERS STATE +NATIONALDESIGNAWARDS O V E R O V E R OFFICE LOCATIONS 98The Kubala Washatko Architects + PJA ArchitectsSave the ChimpsRequest for Qualifications The Kubala Washatko Architects Rainwater Management Reduce hard paving Slow down site water to allow absorption into ground and reduce erosion Design water efficient landscaping, drought tolerant, native plants Consider bioswale buffers where site water moves toward lake, etc. Strong Communities Diverse communities are more sustainable Provide a variety of housing size and affordability Ensure equity and access to all Create a network of walkable neighborhoods Recycle buildings and reduce waste Work with local systems, materials, and means Daylight and Views Design building to allow free daylighting, consider building orientation and relationship to sun A properly considered window arrangement could result in no use of electric lights during the day Consider views to increase the feeling of connection to the outdoors Provide properly designed overhangs to reduce heat gain into the building Solar Access Take advantage of the free energy provided by the sun Position the buildings to face the sun Consider hot water solar to reduce reliance on gas or electrical water heating Consider photovoltaic systems to product energy Locate outdoor rooms to create ‘micro climates’ to extend outdoor use on cool days and seasons Energy Efficiency Design and specify energy efficient lighting systems, install only the most efficient lamp types etc. Consider long lamp life options to reduce maintenance, costs, etc. Choose energy efficient appliances, fans, pumps and equipment Choose efficient kitchen equipment Efficient Building Skin Design highly efficient building skin, reduce thermal bridging, provide higher insulation systems Specify efficient window systems w/ low ‘U’ value glazing Reduce air infiltration by installing air locks, good window and door weather stripping, etc. Keep sun off of glazing as possible to reduce heat gain, overhangs, porches, etc. Water Efficiency Strive to close the water cycle loop Protect all water bodies and wetlands Use the available water onsite to provide all water needs Cleanse runoff from roofs and paving before reintroducing back into the ground Rainwater harvesting + gravity fed gardens Grey water systems Engineered wetlands Low-flow or no-flow plumbing fixtures On demand water heating Fresh Air / Natural Ventilation Provide operable windows w/ screens to reduce mechanical cooling loads Provide high/low windows to allow natural gravity ventilation Consider whole house fan for air movement and night cooling Sustainable Design StrategiesOUR SHARED PHILOSOPHYOur studios share and embrace a design philosophy of Wholeness, where the built environment supports and enhances both human activity and natural living systems. The idea of sustainability is a natural extension of wholeness-based thinking and is integrated into every project. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN. ALWAYS. The Leopold Legacy Center is a LEED© Platinum net-zero energy facility recognized as the world’s first carbon neutral building by the United States Green Building Council. RCA + TKWA use an integrated, whole-building approach to sustainability that is both proven and pragmatic. Our shared goal is to integrate sustainable design principles into highly functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings that are sensitive to occupant health and well-being. We are leaders in the design of innovative, high-performance buildings that meet LEED standards for efficient energy and resource use. TKWA designed the Leopold Legacy Center, the world’s first building recognized by LEED as carbon neutral in operation. LEOPOLD LEGACY CENTER Baraboo, WI WHOLENESS IS OUR WORLDVIEW It shapes how we act, conceive our work, organize our activities,and interact with the natural world, our built environment, and our community. Of all the forces that might have shaped the way we do our work, Wholeness rises above competing concerns, systems, schools of thought, and philosophies. We strive to provide a workplace culture that reflects the wholeness we wish to see in the world—this means doing great work but also having a full life outside of work. We are committed to equity, diversity, fair pay and benefits, and the wellness of every staff member. These values make our studios places where our staff stick around. San Juan Community Home Trust 7 Wholeness is our World View Sustainability is a natural result of wholeness-based thinking Habitat for Humanity's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and decent affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty. •Helped 42 million+ people construct, rehabilitate, or preserve homes around the world since 1976. •Advocate for fair and just housing policy and provide training and access to resources. •Non-proﬁt Christian ministry; Works in more than 70 countries welcoming people of all races, religions, and nationalities to partner. Work with individuals within the community that demonstrate the following: 1. Willingness to Partner 2. Need for simple and decent affordable housing 3. Ability to pay back a no-proﬁt loan Goals for Today We want to talk about: •Design Process (5 minutes) •Pocket Neighborhoods (10 minutes) •Agrivillage Case Studies (10 minutes) •Initial Patterns & Discussion (50+ Minutes) We want to learn from you: •Your reaction to the presentation •What are the real issues to resolve? •What must this project include to be successful? Design Process •Listening to neighbors, community stakeholders, officials, others •Respecting the land and people •Drawing out a broad range of site & community issues, concerns, needs, and potentials •Writing Patterns that address the issues and embody the values of the community •Use Patterns to develop the design and evaluate it •Check in and elicit feedback •Continue the listening •Refine the design The goal of writing Patterns is to gain a deeper understanding of how buildings and site can be configured to support both human activity and natural processes in a harmonious way. Listening intently and writing Patterns helps identify the deeper social, spiritual, and emotional values inherent in a place. This process offers solutions for making a place more alive, more functional, and more community oriented. It also gives everyone involved a measuring stick by which to evaluate the design. Everyone becomes an informed critic. Patterns can be used to build consensus, solve problems, and build trust within communities. Design Process: Pattern Writing Staff + Volunteer Hearth Issue In the workplace, if it is not always easy and natural for the staff and volunteers working to informally engage one another, an entire level of communication fails to take place. Regular staff meetings, newsletters and memos cannot come close to replacing informal interchange between staff members and volunteers. Solution Create a place away from the public realm where staff would typically go to make copies, get a cup of coffee, etc. Give this place enough room for a number of small conversations to occur simultane-ously. Provide informal seating and a view to the outside if possible. The Hearth should be along the main thoroughfare traveled by the majority of the staff during the day. Lockers for use by the volunteers should be nearby to help facilitate interaction. Water Is Treasure Issue Unfortunately, our culture tends to see rainwater as a waste product; piping, storing and treat-ing it as though it were sewage. The fate of wastewater from buildings also tends to be ignored, but also has a large environmen-tal impact in terms of centralized treatment facilities. Solution Rain should be allowed to slowly be absorbed by the land where it falls. Minimize use of hard paving surfaces and where used, make it permeable. Rainwater that comes off roofs should be slowed down, collected and/or reintro-duced to the local water table. In the process, water can become a visual and acoustic part of daily life and consciousness at the Center. Where practical, use captured and treated water to replenish and restore ponds and lakes. Treat all effluent generated on site with a local Constructed Wetland. These methods for dealing with waste-water should be made visible, cre-ating educational opportunities to researchers and visitors. They will also work to reduce the need for external water supply to the site. Living Sustainability Issue Rowe Woods can’t really be con-sidered ‘Green’ or ‘Sustainable’ from a LEED perspective, except for the fact that several historic structures are being reused. A gap exists between current practices and aspirations for the future. Solution Set a series of small steps that will lead CNC toward an ultimate state, where every action is one that regenerates the biotic community. Let habitat and species bio-diver-sity remain the target for ecological restoration efforts, remembering that introduced heritage horticulture is also an important feature of this site. For existing buildings focus on energy conservation and maintenance. New buildings should reach a high state of demonstrable sustainability, with features that support and explain the Center’s mission. In concert with on-going land management plans restore wetlands, streams, meadow, prairie and forests. Heart of Rowe Woods Issue What constitutes the heart of Rowe Woods? A visitor, without a strong mental mapping of the center of gravity for the property, will not develop a strong sense of place. Solution Establish an identifiable edge to the area that constitutes the core of the property. Establish visual cues for visitors signifying when one has arrived, and that they are at the property’s epicenter. This must be true for visitors arriving by car or bus, as well as hikers returning from the trails. It may be possible to identify the heart of Rowe Woods via a pri-mary path that strings the site’s major structures together. DESIGN APPROACHWe believe this Pattern Writing process—which can be completed within a normal programming time schedule—is the best possible way to define key issues and ensure that they remain prominent throughout the lifespan of a project. Pattern Writing has been successfully used on many TKWA projects. The following examples are patterns that were written for Cincinnati Nature Center. These examples are representative of the types of patterns that will be uniquely developed for any project. Pattern Examples Positive Outdoor Space Issue “Outdoor spaces which are merely left over between buildings will, in general, not be used.” - Christopher Alexander Solution Always consider the placement and general shaping of buildings and outdoor spaces simultaneously. Provide outdoor spaces with the edges necessary to give them room-like character-istics. Recognize that the spaces and activities that occur between buildings are as important as the buildings themselves. 2322The Kubala Washatko Architects + PJA Architects Pattern Examples Essential Patterns Continue Discovery Write Patterns Clarify Vision Begin Site Studies MARCH Project Kickoff Establish Process Meet with Community Begin Discovery Background Research Embryonic Patterns Case Studies Site Analysis APRIL Site Studies Finalize Patterns Site Organizations & Plans Key Features Permutations Get feedback APRIL Virtual Meeting #1 Virtual Meeting #3 Site Plan Development Finalize Site Plan Building Footprints Landscape Design Provide Metrics MAY Virtual Meeting #4 Presentation Community Forum Special Meetings Documentation JUNE Virtual Meeting #5 Papaikou Agrivillage Timeline Virtual Meeting #2 pocket neighborhoods meeting the housing challenge in small groups, conversation is spontaneous Scale of Sociability Rhody 847 Mo h o 74 4Mo h o 74 4 Br i g h t s i d e 7 8 4 B r i g h t s i d e 78 4 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Rhody 847 Brightside 784Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Twind y 720 Twind y 720 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Brightside 784 Rh o d y 84 7 Rh o d y 84 7 Rh o d y 84 7 Cabo 544 Cabo 544 Rhody 847 Rhody 847 Ca b o 54 4 Ca b o 54 4 Rhody 847 Rho d y 847 Rhod y Rhody 847 Ca b o 54 4 C a b o 5 4 4 Tw i n d y 72 0 Tw i n d y 72 0 Cab o 544 C a b o 5 4 4 C a b o 5 4 4 0 80’40’ Site Plan Moho 744 Moho 744 M o h o 7 4 4 Moho 744 Moho 744 Moho 744 Moho 583 Moho 583 Cabo 544 Moho 583 Moho 583 Moho 583 Moh o 58 3 Moh o 58 3 Moho 583 Moho 583Moho 583 Moh o 58 3 Mo h o 58 3 Mo h o 58 3 Moho 583Moho 583 Moho 583Moho 583 Moho 583 Moho 583 M o h o 7 4 4 M o h o 7 4 4 Moho 744 Br i g h t s i d e 78 4 Br i g h t s i d e 78 4 Moh o 744 Moh o 744 Moho 583Moho 583Moho 583 HA L E O L A O M O H O U L I RO S S C H A P I N AR C H I T E C T s Po s t O ffice B o x 15 9 5 • L a n g l e y , W a s h i n g t o n 98 2 6 0 T: (3 6 0 ) 92 9 - 9 0 0 7 • E : r o s s @ r o s s c h a p i n .co m • W : r o s s c h a p i n .com 1 2/16/21 16 F e b r u a r y 20 2 1 H i l o , H a w a i i Ha w a i i I s l a n d C o m m u n i t y L a n d D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n v1. 3 7 1 S i t e P l a n 2. 1 18 10 12 11 14 10 10 4 dog park resident storage units N'hood Commons Building cover'd hard court lawnnative lava maintenance resident storage units tot lot covered space "pocket neighborhood" community storage garbage & recycling 30' setback parking bus shelter Project Data Existing Zoning Proposed ZoningA-1a RM-4 Setbacks (FT) front 30 20 rear 30 20 side 20 8' 1st flr + 2' thereafter Height Limits 35 120 FAR NA NA Parking requirements SF & DF 2 per unit 2 per unit MF NA 1.25 per unit Proposed Plan Site Area (acres)9.3 Units 1-bedroom 33 2-bedroom 57 Total units 90 Density (units/acre)9.7 Parking total count 180 disabled 17 per unit 2.0 per bedroom 1.2 Code UFAS Construction Type V M O H O U L I S T R E E T community g a r d e n community g a r d e n com m u n i t y g a r d e n f f f f f f Neighborhood private back yard public street hoodpocket sneighbor of nearbypocket neighbor ss eight key design patterns of pocket neighborhoods Agrivillage Case Studies 016 MILEY BARN SHED KI T C H E N PAVILION TENT / GATHERING SAF E C R O S S I N G MONUMENT SIGN HA L F - M I L E Y L O O P HOTM VEGETABLE GARDENS Nourish Farms will become a regional hub for good food education and promotion of local, sustainable farming practices. —— Our goal is to educate and empower people to make wholesome food choices through experiential learning. In this case, through learning to grow and harvest food, composting, and better understanding the food system. VISION Nourish FarmsProposed Plan N HOTM VEGETABLE GARDENS PRAIRIE (WET) PRAIRIE (WET) FRUIT BUSHES ORCHARD BERRY TRELLIS S T R A W B E R R I E S BERRY TRELLIS GRAPE T R E L L I S FLOWE R S / P O L L I N A T O R S ANIMAL HUSBANDRY APIA R Y COM P O S T H A L F - M I L E Y L O O P PICTURE AREA WETLAND WETLAND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GARENS COMPOST SUNDIAL OLD O R C H A R D SEN S O R Y GA R D E N FLOWERS HOOPHOUSE LEGEND Vegetable Garden Wetland Flowers/Pollinators Prairie Grass Orchard Grass/Trees Picture Area/Manicured Gardens Animal Husbandry 014 ISSUE It is hard to evaluate the ecosystem impact of a process if we can’t see how it affects and is affected by other parts of the ecosystem. SOLUTION Make the flow of water, nutrients, and energy visible wherever possible. This can be through signage, but it is more useful to see the actual flow. ISSUE Isolation from the farm is increased with each stair, room hallway, and door through which one must pass to get to an outside door. Every interior space that is denied views of the working farm is disconnected from the mission of the organization. SOLUTION Provide access to adjacent porches and gardens from a variety of common areas in the each building. Maximize the opportunities for quality views from other spaces like offices, classrooms, and meeting rooms. Visible Flows Connected to the Outdoors ISSUE The efficient movement of people, animals, materials and vehicles is critical to a working farm. Compromising that ‘working path’ for any reason will negatively impact the efficacy of the farm for years to come. SOLUTION Devise the geometry and character of the working circulation of the farm first, followed by how the interested public and school children will interact with that same path to glean insights into small scale farming practices. Farm Tour Follows Working Path 011Site Master PlanNourish Farms ISSUE There is a nostalgic stereotype of the picturesque farm: a pretty cluster of buildings against a sea of rolling green fields. The reality of a working farm is messier. When creating a demonstration farm, it is tempting to try and present the illusion of the “pretty” farm and hide the “messy” working parts. SOLUTION Put the farm front and center. Find ways to celebrate the so-called “messy stuff” wherever possible. Instead of screening compost, equipment storage, and operational areas behind buildings or ornamental landscaping, make these elements prominent features in the site. This will not only give the property a unique quality, but also promote the educational message that you can and should try this at home. ISSUE Nourish Farms has many educational goals in addition to other activities, such as event hosting, that generate revenue to support the organization. If these goals were addressed as separate solutions, it could create a kind of “agricultural theme park”–one activity station after another with no consis- tent narrative or message. SOLUTION The ideal farm is a complete ecosystem, where water, nutrients, and energy are exchanged and balanced. Byproducts of one process become inputs to other processes and nothing is truly “thrown away.” Consider how each part of Nourish Farms, from its buildings to its site to its revenue-generating events, can be treated as elements of the farm ecosystem. ISSUE If facility rentals begin to drive decision-making, the educational mission of Nourish Farms may be compromised. On the other hand, if Nourish doesn’t provide good accommodations for rental patrons, they will take their busi- ness elsewhere and financial support for the educational mission will suffer. SOLUTION Always consider the balance between educational and revenue-gener- ating activities. Ensure that spaces which are largely revenue-generating have proximity, views, and signage that connects to the educational mission of Nourish. Farm Front and Center Farming as Ecosystem Balancing Revenue With Mission 013Site Master PlanNourish Farms ISSUE We tend to think of site landscaping primarily in terms of ornamental plant- ings. This would be a mistake on a working farm. SOLUTION No ornamental-only plants! Consider all site landscaping elements as part of the farm ecosystem. That doesn’t mean that every plant needs to be human food, just that it is part of the same system. For example, flowering plants for pollinators are okay, but not non-native annuals in pots for deco- ration. ISSUE It would be unfortunate if a visitor’s first encounter with Nourish Farms were a parking lot or even the front door to a building. SOLUTION Create an edible garden as the first welcoming element of Nourish Farms. The garden should have discernible edges, be they buildings, trees, low walls, shrubs, grasses or forbs. ISSUE On the farm, if it is not easy and natural for the staff and volunteers to in- formally engage one another, an entire level of communication fails to take place. Regular staff meetings, newsletters and memos cannot come close to replacing informal interchange between staff members and volunteers. SOLUTION Create a place away from the public realm where staff would typically go to make copies, check their mail, get a cup of coffee, etc. Give this place enough room for a number of small conversations to occur simultaneously. Provide informal seating and access and view to the outside if possible. The Hearth should be along the main thoroughfare traveled by the majority of the staff during the day. Lockers for use by the volunteers should be nearby to help facilitate interaction. Edible Landscape Welcome Garden The Staff Hearth 012 ISSUE Responsible and regenerative practices can seem like an “all or nothing” proposition. If people get the impression that they are always failing to do the best thing, then they may give up trying at all. SOLUTION Meet each person where they are. The demonstration areas and educational exhibits should display a spectrum of options leading to more sustainable, regenerative practice. Be honest about the way that Nourish itself is less than perfect. Visitors leave with a sense that there is always a way to do something a bit better. ISSUE Nourish Farms has a lot of goals and ideas for its 13-acre property. If we simply cut the property into a whole lot of small plots, it could become disor- ganized and cumbersome to navigate. SOLUTION Create a roughly half-mile loop pathway that serves as a central hub serv- ing each of the plots on the farm. This loop will have to cross the entry road safely and will also help connect the farm to the school. All or Something The Miley Loop ISSUE Unfortunately our culture tends to see rainwater as a waste product; piping, storing and treating it as though it were sewage. SOLUTION Rain should be allowed to slowly be absorbed on the land where it falls. Local subsurface movement of water must be understood before proposing any structure that might disrupt that flow. Minimize the use of hard paving surfaces and where used, make it permeable. Rainwater that comes off the roof should be slowed down, collected and/or reintroduced to the local wa- ter table. Consider using grey-water to irrigate crops. In the process, water can become a visual and acoustic part of daily life and consciousness at the farm. Water As Treasure Bayview Commons Madison, Wisconsin Thai Farm Village Initial Patterns Copyright © 2023 The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc.All Rights Reserved 255922 P R O J E C T N U M B E R February 14, 2023 D A T E S H E E T T I T L E P R O J E C T O W N E R Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island P.O. Box 4619 Kailua-Kona, HI The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. Papaikou, HI Ku'u Papaikou Agrivillage 40' 50' 60' 70' 80' 90' 100' 110' 120' 120' 110' 110' 120' 130' 140' 150' 160'160' 170' 170' 160' 160' 150' 150' 170' 160' 170' 150' 140' 140' 130' 120' 110' 110' 100' 90' 80' 70' 60' 50' 100' 90' 90' 100' 110' 20'-0" 100'-0" 20'-0" N 1000'0 Existing Site Plan Papaikou Agrivillage Initial Patterns Initial Patterns Prompting questions: •What are the real issues on the ground and in the community that need to be addressed? •What must this project include to be successful? Initial Patterns Regional AGRARIAN HARMONY DIVERSITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AGING IN COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AG COLLABORATORS LOCAL MATERIALS INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING SELF GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR CARE OF THE COMMONS Site MAIN STREET TO THE SHORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SITE GRADIENTS COMING HOME FOLLOW THE LAND INCREMENTAL GROWTH THE PERCH AGRIVILLAGE AS ECO-SYSTEM CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE CENTER GROWING ON DISPLAY PLACES TO WORK, PLACES TO WATCH FARMER’S MARKET AGRICULTURAL WORK HUB FOOD BUYING CLUB COMMUNITY GIFT GARDEN EVERYWHERE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE GREEN SWEAT EQUITY MAKER’S SPACES DAILY MIGRATIONS VISIBLE FLOWS SOLAR ROOFS ENGINEERED WETLANDS HIERARCHY OF STREETS ACTIVATING THE STREET SLOW STREETS CORRALLING THE CAR PLANTED PARKING REMOTE PARKING MARKET SQUARE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK WALKING PATH NETWORK TRAIL TO THE BEACH ON-SITE ELECTRIC CARTS SHARED VEHICLES LOCAL VAN SERVICE EV CHARGING PARK-RIDE BUS STOP BICYCLE SHEDS UNIVERSAL DESIGN INDEPENDENT LIVING HOME ASSISTED LIVING HOME OFF GRID RENTAL DIGNITY WEATHERING A STORM STORES, SHOPS, CAFES & MORE Sub-Neighborhood MAKER’S SPACES LIVE-WORK SCALE OF SOCIABILITY SHARED COMMONS TEACHING KITCHEN COMMONS BUILDINGS & GARDENS LAYERS OF PERSONAL SPACE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GRADIENTS FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE RESIDENT STORAGE MIX OF HOUSE FORMS, SIZES HOME GROWS WITH FAMILY Building HAWAIIAN LIVING EACH HOME UNIQUE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM-SIZED FRONT PORCH NESTED HOUSES FULL-USE SIDE YARDS SIDE YARD LIVING SIMPLE STABLE SHELLS NATURAL VENTILATION FRONT DOOR ON THE COMMONS EYES ON SHARED SPACE ROOMS WITH WHOLENESS BEDROOM ON THE MAIN LEVEL ENOUGH STORAGE Initial Patterns GREEN = SUSTAINABLE PATTERN Regional AGRARIAN HARMONY DIVERSITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AGING IN COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AG COLLABORATORS LOCAL MATERIALS INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING SELF GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR CARE OF THE COMMONS Site MAIN STREET TO THE SHORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SITE GRADIENTS COMING HOME FOLLOW THE LAND INCREMENTAL GROWTH THE PERCH AGRIVILLAGE AS ECO-SYSTEM CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE CENTER GROWING ON DISPLAY PLACES TO WORK, PLACES TO WATCH FARMER’S MARKET AGRICULTURAL WORK HUB FOOD BUYING CLUB COMMUNITY GIFT GARDEN EVERYWHERE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE GREEN SWEAT EQUITY MAKER’S SPACES DAILY MIGRATIONS VISIBLE FLOWS SOLAR ROOFS ENGINEERED WETLANDS HIERARCHY OF STREETS ACTIVATING THE STREET SLOW STREETS CORRALLING THE CAR PLANTED PARKING REMOTE PARKING MARKET SQUARE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK WALKING PATH NETWORK TRAIL TO THE BEACH ON-SITE ELECTRIC CARTS SHARED VEHICLES LOCAL VAN SERVICE EV CHARGING PARK-RIDE BUS STOP BICYCLE SHEDS UNIVERSAL DESIGN INDEPENDENT LIVING HOME ASSISTED LIVING HOME OFF GRID RENTAL DIGNITY WEATHERING A STORM STORES, SHOPS, CAFES & MORE Sub-Neighborhood MAKER’S SPACES LIVE-WORK SCALE OF SOCIABILITY SHARED COMMONS TEACHING KITCHEN COMMONS BUILDINGS & GARDENS LAYERS OF PERSONAL SPACE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GRADIENTS FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE RESIDENT STORAGE MIX OF HOUSE FORMS, SIZES HOME GROWS WITH FAMILY Building HAWAIIAN LIVING EACH HOME UNIQUE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM-SIZED FRONT PORCH NESTED HOUSES FULL-USE SIDE YARDS SIDE YARD LIVING SIMPLE STABLE SHELLS NATURAL VENTILATION FRONT DOOR ON THE COMMONS EYES ON SHARED SPACE ROOMS WITH WHOLENESS BEDROOM ON THE MAIN LEVEL ENOUGH STORAGE Initial Patterns Regional AGRARIAN HARMONY DIVERSITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AGING IN COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AG COLLABORATORS LOCAL MATERIALS INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING SELF GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR CARE OF THE COMMONS Site MAIN STREET TO THE SHORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SITE GRADIENTS COMING HOME FOLLOW THE LAND INCREMENTAL GROWTH THE PERCH AGRIVILLAGE AS ECO-SYSTEM CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE CENTER GROWING ON DISPLAY PLACES TO WORK, PLACES TO WATCH FARMER’S MARKET AGRICULTURAL WORK HUB FOOD BUYING CLUB COMMUNITY GIFT GARDEN EVERYWHERE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE GREEN SWEAT EQUITY MAKER’S SPACES DAILY MIGRATIONS VISIBLE FLOWS SOLAR ROOFS ENGINEERED WETLANDS HIERARCHY OF STREETS ACTIVATING THE STREET SLOW STREETS CORRALLING THE CAR PLANTED PARKING REMOTE PARKING MARKET SQUARE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK WALKING PATH NETWORK TRAIL TO THE BEACH ON-SITE ELECTRIC CARTS SHARED VEHICLES LOCAL VAN SERVICE EV CHARGING PARK-RIDE BUS STOP BICYCLE SHEDS UNIVERSAL DESIGN INDEPENDENT LIVING HOME ASSISTED LIVING HOME OFF GRID RENTAL DIGNITY WEATHERING A STORM STORES, SHOPS, CAFES & MORE Sub-Neighborhood MAKER’S SPACES LIVE-WORK SCALE OF SOCIABILITY SHARED COMMONS TEACHING KITCHEN COMMONS BUILDINGS & GARDENS LAYERS OF PERSONAL SPACE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GRADIENTS FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE RESIDENT STORAGE MIX OF HOUSE FORMS, SIZES HOME GROWS WITH FAMILY Building HAWAIIAN LIVING EACH HOME UNIQUE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM-SIZED FRONT PORCH NESTED HOUSES FULL-USE SIDE YARDS SIDE YARD LIVING SIMPLE STABLE SHELLS NATURAL VENTILATION FRONT DOOR ON THE COMMONS EYES ON SHARED SPACE ROOMS WITH WHOLENESS BEDROOM ON THE MAIN LEVEL ENOUGH STORAGE RED = NEEDS DISCUSSION Thank You! ROSS CHAPIN ARCHITECTS The Kubala Washatko Architects February 23, 2025 Leeward Planning Commission Windward Planning Commission Dear Planning Commission Member, Thank you for the opportunity to provide the following comments and concerns regarding the 2045 Draft General Plan. I purchased my Papaikou property TMK:(3) -2-7-004:25 in 2001. One of the key factors in my decision to purchase this parcel was the fact that it was designated in the LUPAG as “Low Density Urban” (LDU). The current draft of the 2045 General Plan proposes to change this designation from LDU to Important Agriculture (IA), which I believe would be a strategic error for the following reasons. This parcel of land has been designated for urban expansion for the past 60 years, due to its’ strategic location and available infrastructure. That was true then, and is even more valid today, and will become critically important in the years ahead given the current struggle to provide workforce housing for Hawaii’s people. Attached are some of the other reasons why the parcel should remain in LDU for your consideration. 1. Available infrastructure Water- A County well and storage tank is available to the parcel with possible upgrades required, Note- 10”water service line was recently installed adjacent to property. Ample water (aquifer) is available at site for private wells. Waste Water -The County waste water facility has ample capacity to service 300+ homes, with sewage transmission lines currently installed at site. Note- Building more than 50 homes requires a waste water treatment system, which would be cost prohibitive.. Electrical -Phase 3 power available to site. Bus service is available to the site. School- Kalanianaole School K-6 adjacent to the site. Property adjoins the Hawaii Belt Road which will minimize the impact on smaller feeder streets. Property has a large number of existing interior roadways, thus reducing the overall project cost. Property is outside of Lava Zones 1&2. Ocean access- A residential project will be required to provide recreational access to ocean as well as providing needed parking. Urban inﬁll vs sprawling growth- The property is surrounded by residential neighborhoods on all sides. 2. Affordable Housing Crisis Thousands of people that are currently waiting for housing will be given an opportunity to live in a unique community that offers ocean recreation, farming, walkability and closer connections between neighbors. Needed services will be made available in the neighborhood commercial center (medical clinic, Kupuna and Keiki care, cafe etc..) Project has wide ranging support with various groups including Native Hawaiians, Habitat for Humanity, Hope Services etc 3. Agriculture and Housing Available agricultural land on Hawaii island - It is estimated that less than 4% of Hawaii Island is used for growing crops. The subject parcel represents a fraction of a percent of available agricultural land on the island. There is more than enough ample land available on Hawaii island alone to feed our entire state’s population, many times over. The proposed agricultural community concept will provide residents with individual garden plots which will enable them to grow food on the undeveloped portion of the site (which is estimated to be at least 40 acres). The existing land use patterns of large oceanfront agricultural parcels has predominately been the creation of gentleman estates, which are normally gated and screened from the highway using dense vegetation and do not beneﬁt the greater community. 2. Smart Growth Principles- These nationally recognized principles are intended to identify a common ground where developers, environmentalists, public ofﬁcials, community members and others to ﬁnd acceptable ways to accommodate growth. Agrivillages are a mix of agriculture, housing, commercial services and open space and are an example of providing smart growth. Papaikou Agrivllage will be a model project for the island and the state Green energy, agriculture, access to ocean and recreation, commercial services, pocket neighborhood, closer community relationships (plantation villages). Walkable healthy neighborhoods- The project is already a favorite spot for families to walk their dogs, strollers etc. Pocket Neighborhoods design increases socialization within the community. Project Architect is Ross Chapin, Founder of the “pocket neighborhood” design concept (https://pocket neighborhoods.net). Project Summary The agrivillage project is a clustered residential community integrated with agriculture, designed for mixed-income and multigenerational residents. The primary layout features “pocket neighborhoods,” where 6-12 homes are grouped around shared spaces, promoting neighborly interaction. The concept of “agrarian urbanism” extends beyond food production, encouraging a lifestyle centered on farm-to-table activities. Residents are expected to contribute time and effort to the community’s food system instead of maintaining traditional suburban lawns. Key project objectives include: • Safe and inviting entry: Trafﬁc-calming measures and pedestrian crossings connect the community to Papaikou Village. • Affordable housing: A mix of housing types and tenure (rentals, land trusts) caters to various income levels, including low- to middle-income families. • Agrarian ecosystem: Agricultural lots for commercial and part-time farmers, community gardens, and communal ag-processing hubs are available. • Neighborhood commercial area: A village heart fosters social interaction and provides daily services. • Balanced privacy and community: Homes are designed to nest together without compromising privacy while shared spaces encourage interaction. • Public amenities: A shoreline trail, beach access, and a pedestrian network support walkability and outdoor activities. • Energy efﬁciency: Solar power and electric carts reduce energy and transportation costs. • Special needs accommodations: Homes can be equipped with universal design features, and a care home operator is sought to support senior residents. Project Mix: The project aims for LEED Neighborhood Development certiﬁcation and AARP Livability Index standards. It includes a variety of residential options like single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, live work units, and farm lots. Affordable units will be available for both rental and ownership, targeting income groups from 30% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Marketing efforts will focus on diverse household types, including farmworkers, Section 8 participants, empty nesters, and young families interested in agriculture. Shropshire Group LLC is in the process of ﬁnalizing a 201H application and intends to begin the community engagement process in early 2025. We urge you to please reconsider the proposed IA designation and maintain the parcels existing LDU designation. Thank you for your time and consideration. Mahalo, Steve Shropshire P.O. Box 1146 Hilo, HI 96721 steve@alohagreen.com 808-895-0372 How the project supports the Hamakua Community Development Plan SECTION 3: PREFERRED LAND USE & SETTLEMENT PATTERNS Pūpūkahi i holomua “Unite to move forward" 3.1 Land Use & Settlement Patterns This section of the CDP guides future land use development and permitting to be consistent with CDP objectives and policies. Speciﬁcally, to reduce rural sprawl and infrastructure costs, it focuses future residential development in existing villages and towns and seeks to preserve large productive agricultural lands for agriculture by accommodating rural-residential development close to these urban centers. It directs new residential development away from coastal areas and encourages the clustering of developments to leave natural buffer areas. It plans urban areas with appropriately-scaled densities that complement the rural character of the area. It provides guidance to the Planning Department on change of zone and variance priorities, and stipulates the types of areas and regulatory processes that are appropriate for industrial development. It also directs the County to engage communities interested in town-level planning. 3.1.1 Community Objective Of the Community Objectives adopted by the Steering Committee (see Section 1.7.1 Community Objectives, above), the following are related to the preferred settlement pattern: Objective : Direct future settlement patterns that are sustainable and connected. Honor Hāmākua’s historic and cultural assets by concentrating new development in existing, walkable, mixed-use town centers while limiting rural sprawl. Objective : Protect and nurture Hāmākua’s social and cultural diversity and heritage assets, including sacred places, historic sites and buildings, and distinctive plantation towns. Objective : Protect and restore viable agricultural lands and resources. Protect and enhance viewscapes and open spaces that exemplify Hāmākua’s rural character. 3.1.2 General Plan Settlement Framework The General Plan articulates the overall County’s preferred settlement pattern in section 14.1:The future improvement and development objectives are directed toward making urban and rural centers more efﬁcient, livable, and safe. Growth should be encouraged in terms of renewing older areas or extending existing areas. The creation of new urban and rural centers should be initiated only when it is in the public interest and must be accompanied by commitments from both government and the private sector for the development of basic community and public facilities and services. Infrastructure costs less when new residential areas are located near existing highways, water and sewer lines, and employment centers. 4. How the project support’s the goals of the 2045 Draft General Plan Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT 25 Table 4: Land Use Challenges Infrastructure • Low infrastructure capacity and high costs to develop new systems. • State land use designations and related requirements within or adjacent to Urban Growth Areas limit the ability to increase densities. • Existing single-family dwellings and lot sizes fail to achieve the desired density. • Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing and operating private systems or upgrades due to the insufﬁciency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. The shortage of licensed operators also increases operating costs and makes it more difﬁcult to establish new private systems. • County roadway standards aren’t modernized and remain a major cost to development. • • Pervasive strip mall infrastructure and minimal transit-oriented developments paired with disconnected routes create congestion issues for commercial areas. Regulations • Building code requirements affect construction costs and the ability to create multi-use buildings. • • Multiple layers of land use control and review require coordination between government agencies at the state and county levels. • There are varying layers of code that are conﬂicting or inconsistent. Code requirements are also limited in integrating climate mitigation goals around reduced building materials and non car-centric design. • The current regulatory process dictates that the State Land Use Commission must preside over boundary amendments that exceed 15 acres, which limits the efﬁciency of ensuring consistency in the land use pattern. • Zoning must be updated in certain areas to reﬂect shifting trends and land use preferences. • There is no Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent with the desired land use pattern. • The State's historic review process has been cumbersome. Funding and Financing • There is a need for gap ﬁnancing that exceeds what a single lender or incentive program can ﬁll. • Additional capacity in development ﬁnancing and speciﬁc community development ﬁnancing is needed to increase the production of projects in the County. • There is high demand for a limited pool of incentives and ﬁnancing subsidies for affordable housing. • Affordable housing projects in the County face higher ﬁnancing gaps than projects elsewhere in the State. Market Conditions • There are inconsistencies between development costs and prices the market can support. • Greenﬁeld development in areas such as Puna is signiﬁcantly cheaper than inﬁll development in existing urban areas. • Lower household incomes result in lower purchasing power, which makes underserved subdivisions the primary market for many homebuyers. • Challenging site characteristics such as soil conditions and topography increase development costs. • Market cycles and permitting requirements often do not coincide resulting in uncertainty and increases in processing times and costs. These challenges are exacerbated by performance conditions based on time versus appropriate mitigation conditions. Land Use Compatibility • Legacy zoning, such as industrial lands from the sugar plantation era, is not always consistent with the community's vision. • Productive agricultural land use designations often do not coincide with productive agricultural activities. • There is a common perception that all development is contrary to protecting natural and cultural resources. Public Engagement • NIMBYism can present barriers to collaborative processes. • General misunderstanding and misinformation about land use policies can delay and disrupt strategic land use patterns. • Public hearing processes can become political rather than regulatory processes. Performance conditions are essentially requirements or obligations that an applicant must complete before certain rights or obligations can take effect. Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) is a characterization of opposition by residents to proposed developments in their local area, often due to concerns about potential negative impacts on the environment, property values, and quality of life. NIMBY protests have evolved over time, impacting the gentriﬁcation of neighborhoods and housing affordability. Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT 26 Table 5: Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure • County departments are encouraged to develop a collaborative infrastructure capacity plan with prioritization of projects based on desired growth areas and preferred density as identiﬁed by the General Plan. • Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to address unique land use situations on the island related to individual wastewater systems (IWS) and prioritization of resources. • Increase housing density by utilizing additional dwelling units (ADU) in existing residential districts served by adequate utilities. • Facilitate innovative public and private partnerships in infrastructure investment for targeted growth areas. • County departments can provide greater ﬂexibility in privately owned and maintained infrastructure concurrency requirements. Regulations • Remove barriers to residential development in the appropriate districts to reduce development timelines, increase housing stock availability, and increase affordability. • Review and update the Building and Zoning Codes to allow for more ﬂexibility. • Collaborate across State and County agencies to facilitate efﬁcient and effective land use processes. • Advocate allowing for County initiated State Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendments to meet the preferred land use pattern. • Program the initiation of rezoning in targeted growth areas. • Support and streamline the process of inﬁll development. • The most direct role that the County plays in economic development is through land use regulation (i.e., permitting efﬁciency, transparency, predictability, and certainty) and property tax policy. • Invest in the provision of strategic infrastructure including roads, water, and/or wastewater improvements to encourage higher density development in targeted areas. • Work with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to determine when there is a need to review a project related to the identiﬁcation of cultural sites and practices. • Work with SHPD to create standards related to the assessment of a project’s effects on cultural sites and practices. • Establish a framework for cultural impact assessments including recognizing ﬁndings and recommendations of prior cultural impact assessments within the same ahupuaʻa for new projects. Funding and Financing • Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity building plan for County departments, local developers, and community stakeholders. • Leverage different ﬁnancing mechanisms to support development and redevelopment, including Business/Community Improvement Districts, Tax Increment Financing, Community Facilities Districts, and Opportunity Zones. • Seek and pursue additional capital stack opportunities and tax incentives for (re)development. Market Conditions • Diversify economic drivers. • Utilize creative solutions and partnerships to encourage, support, and prioritize inﬁll development before expanding to greenﬁeld areas. • Make vacant and underutilized government-owned lands available for affordable housing or other (re)development, especially in or adjacent to urbanized areas with adequate or expandable infrastructure. • Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments and other redevelopment opportunities. Land Use Compatibility • Eliminate unpermitted non-conforming uses and ensure proper land use patterns to ensure urban areas are used accordingly. • Strategically use zoning to ensure proximate compatible and complementary uses that improve the vitality of urban areas. • Regularly evaluate supply and demand to prioritize needed land use challenges. Public Engagement • Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBYs). • Apply strategies to engage stakeholders that go beyond legal notice requirements. • Reinforce the alignment between community values and the General Plan and Community Development Plans. • Demonstrate smart growth development. \Papaikou AgrivillageDesign Process Kickoff Meeting #| 03.16.2023 ROSS CH APIN ARCHITECTS The K From:Susie J. To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley;Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; ames.hustace@hawaiicounty.gov; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:I DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Sunday, February 23, 2025 12:03:51 PM Aloha a Commissioners, I have asked you to consider this before. Please look into this. I no not recommend the Hawaii GP2045. I believe if you live here & understand you would not want it either.The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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. C.S. Jenkins 808-325-1627 From:betsyduerr@gmail.com To:WPCtestimony Subject:General Plan 2045 Date:Monday, February 24, 2025 8:54:39 AM Sent from my iPhone Betsyduerr@gmail.com Aloha Planning Commission, Thank you for volunteering your time to listen to we the people of the Big Island. I strongly oppose the Final Recommended Draft of the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 and humbly request you vote to reject it in its entirety. No matter howmuch lipstick you put on the pig, this plan is still a pig. I am 71 years old and my husband and I have lived and raised a family in our Honolli Pali home for over 40 years. In October of 2023 at the dog and pony showbeing put on by the county to promote the new general plan, I noticed that the futureland use of our property had been changed from low density urban to natural and recreational. Our own family home we are hoping to leave to our ohana has been re- disignated without compensation or consent, negating our rights of private propertyownership. This drastically lowers our future property value and opens the doorto unsolicited rezoning. On page 28, it says: “The council shall enact zoning, subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to carry out the purpose of the general plan.” And on page 34, under Regulatory Implementing Actions, it states: “In the General plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards arespecific to the actions through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter, Section 3- 15." On page 27, under Implementation Strategies, the first bullet is Zoning & Land Use Regulations: Update regulations to align with the goals of the General Plan. On the next page, it says the purpose of the General Plan is to: "Provide the the framework for regulatory decisions, capital improvement strategies, acquisition strategies, andother pertinent government programs within the County organization andcoordinated with State and Federal programs.” What are these State and Federal programs that usurp the rights of private ownership? Throughout the plan (pgs. 66, 78, 86, 88, 225 ) there are references to “smartgrowth strategies” and “smart growth development’ and "smart growth principles" which suggest direct reference to Smart Cities aka UN Agenda 21, now UN Agenda 30. If you aren’t educated on Smart or 15 Minute Cities, I invite you to do your ownresearch into its restrictive and surveilled implementations and ask yourselves if thisglobal agenda is pono for the Big Island of Hawaii. On page 188 (40.8), there is the requirement that “All County departmentscollaborate with the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity,and Resilience (OSCER) as the lead agency to ensure the integration of the County’s goals of sustainability, climate resilience, and equity in all county operations and planning initiatives.” This is an appointed, not elected, agency that isnow responsible for the implementation of the regulations of the smart growthprinciples we will be subjected to. I am disturbed this new overseeing entity will null and void all public input and leave crucial decisions for our island to unelected officials. Finally, the plan, on page 29, claims to be “based on community driven values, goals, and objectives”. Yet, the District of Hilo, where I reside as well as over 22% of the Big Island, has no Community Development Plan. Hilo has never been represented in CDP process. Why is that? We too are entitled to our voice and inputinto our future. Again mahalo for your time and attention. Please vote to reject this plan. No matter how much lipstick you put on the pig, this plan is still a pig. Sincerely, Adriana E. (Betsy) Duerr99 Honolii PaliHilo, HI 96720(808) 935-7439betsyduerr@gmail.com From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:re: Who Do You Represent? It"s NOT the people! You are Cowards and Traitors to this Country!!! Date:Monday, February 24, 2025 1:12:33 PM I am appalled! The people have told you what we wanted and WHY and you did the opposite! You are either being paid, threatened, or you want to be traitors to this country and the people you've volunteered to serve! You should be ashamed of your actions in regards to this treasonous General Plan that isagainst FREEDOM and the people on these islands! How you'll be able to look at your children in the face as you've taken so much from them is beyond me! Unbelievable Corruption, which you are NOW part of! In my opinion you are ALLCOWARDS! Regards, Michelle Melendez 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Michelle Melendez To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony Subject:Re: Access to testimony Date:Monday, February 24, 2025 3:49:32 PM How do I get access to the testimony that you all IGNORED?! I would like to see just how many people took their time to write in and you ignored their voices along with those who came in-person. You think we don't know what we're talking about? Your ignorance of what this plan means for Big Island is astounding! Regards, Michelle Melendez 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM Michelle Melendez<michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote:Do you think we ALL don't know what we're talking about? Pastors, someone in national security, doctors, award winning authors, and more have toldyou since November to NOT recommend this plan and you ignore us! You are a part of the problem with the corrupt government and you've WASTED OURTIME!!! 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 weightOrder your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM Michelle Melendez<michelle@blossominnerwellness.com> wrote: I am appalled! The people have told you what we wanted and WHY and you did the opposite! You are either being paid, threatened, or you want to be traitors to this country and thepeople you've volunteered to serve! You should be ashamed of your actions in regards to this treasonous General Plan that isagainst FREEDOM and the people on these islands! How you'll be able to look at your children in the face as you've taken so much from them is beyond me! Unbelievable Corruption, which you are NOW part of! In my opinion you are ALLCOWARDS! Regards, Michelle Melendez 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 "Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here From:Sarahlee Kittons To:Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas,Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; ames.hustace@hawaiicounty.gov; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov;WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony Subject:General Plan Date:Monday, February 24, 2025 7:29:08 AM I do not wish to see this general plan approved as it is written at this time. There are many things which need a philosophical approach to simpify the County's governance over the landand the people. Reason and logic need to be brought into the picture to broaden out and address the major misconceptions this plan is based upon, and where it came from. Or wherethe plan started from as a format brought in from other organizations. I hope you will research the way all of you are being influenced and how you might broaden your thinking to bring the people into the picture that create what Hawaii is. It should notcome from corporations or mega wealth or outside stakeholders being involved with the laws and directions of this plan. Please hear and look to the energy that is being created and get to the heart of what Hawaiishould be. Aloha Sarahlee Kittons From:Joanna Weber To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James Subject:DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Saturday, March 1, 2025 10:30:16 AM Attachments:image001.gif Aloha Commissioners, The Big Island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any locals helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger ClickHere! 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” to be changed to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals wholive 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 helpsensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelected officials. This is NOT okay! Thisdepartment should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters to many homeowners telling them their land use will be changed from resident to recreationdue to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their property value and opens the door to re-zone 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. 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 who say there is no climate danger. Here is thepdf showing the scientists and which country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD- 241023.pdf 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". Heexplain the reason for this narrative is the investors, in renewable energy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a BigIsland General Plan move forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of nativehabitats" it reads, "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" means more taxes. "Protection"means more rules. Whose "values" is this plan referring to, because it's not the locals’? "Pursue the acquisition of lands", does this say, they are going to pursue taking people's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused onpeople growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! 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 Villagesand 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_2cb1cc6d604f4c dd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02 efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645 b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf A Hawaiian-born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship which is in the plan. You can see it in the pdf below: PartOne: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f 1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681 c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c46 1685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. ALOHA, JOANNA WEBER From:Christy Schuerch To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony for General Plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 1:38:34 PM Aloha, I am a resident of Volcano, Hawaii, 96785 zip code. I am extremely interested in addingadditional protections for our native Ohi'a forest, which is being decimated by unpermitted grubbing and grading, feral ungulates, ROD and invasive species. We need much strongerordinances and building codes at the County level to protect this natural resource for the native wildlife, watershed, and economic viability of our community. I support the CollaborativeBiocultural Stewardship in the General Plan 2045, and strengthening of the current ordinances going forward. In addition, there needs to be a facilitation of property tax incentives to thelowest level for small size lot owners ( 9000 SQ FT) wishing to put their lots into Native Ohi'a Forest conservation.Sincerely, Christy SchuerchPO Box 1352 Volcano, HI 96785 From:Heidi WhiteTo:Planning Internet Mail; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba,Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:My community and I OPPOSE THE GP 2024Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 6:06:53 PM To all of you in Government positions I along with my community and ohana write tooppose this General Plan 2024! STOP This General Plan 2024 its BAD for our Island. We stand and ask the County Council to vote against the County Planning Department's 2045 General Plan because it is NOT good for the community. We stand and ask Mayor Kimo Alameda to oppose the County Planning Department's 2045 General Plan for the reasons stated below. We also call for a Hawai'i' Planning Director who will advocate for community rights and hear our voices that speak against high-end developers. Accountability for past actions must be taken. As a resident of the Big Island for over 45 years, a Realtor for 29 years, a mother and grandmother of seven. I have witnessed the gradual erosion of the conservation of land to high-end developers and our rights being removed due to the actions of the Hawai'i County Planning Department in favor of these developers over the voices of the community and wanting more control over our lives. The department's proposed 2045 General Plan is beyond comprehension for the average citizen, with complexities that beg for transparency and accountability. We demand Hawai'i County Planning meetings for their 2045 General Plan to be held at times the community can attend, which is after 5 p.m. Tragically, this plan includes Land Title Changes, which are deeply concerning. When someone in the Hawai’i County Planning meeting stood and opposed a land use title change, the director dismissed it as an “oversight.” This raises serious questions about the number of oversights in their final draft. Changing land use titles strips us of our rights to private property and introduces vague, yet potentially harmful, rezoning measures. Furthermore, the plan includes ambitions to create a broadband and smart grid, a lofty goal for an island lacking the necessary resources. This raises significant questions about the feasibility and environmental implications of such projects. It's crucial to ensure that these changes DO NOT proceed. We must continue to push for transparency and accountability in these decisions to protect our land, Island, and future What's more distressing is that the Hawai’i County Planning Department seems to always focus on high-end development initiatives that overtax our resources and infrastructure instead of considering the voices of our community. A clear example was when 18,569 voices opposed development in a petition. Yet, Zendo Kern, the Hawai'i Planning Director at the time, ignored these voices and stated the resort would not hurt the land even with articles like these two: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/cautionary-tale-2019-coral-bleaching-event- hawaii#:~:text=Coral%20Bleaching%20Is%20Occurring%20more,had%20catastrophic%20impacts%20state%2Dwide https://coral.org/en/where-we-work/hawaiian- islands/#:~:text=Hawai%CA%BBi's%20reefs%20face%20major%20global,into%20Hawai%CA%BBi's%20waterways%20every%20day This is the petition he ignored: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/854/086/898/residents-who-oppose-the-resort-in-punaluu- ka%C5%AB/ This is the article showing Kern’s opposition over local voices: https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/hundreds-of-hawaii-island- residents-protest-proposed-housing-project-in-punaluu/ Additionally, we urge Mayor Kimo Alameda to reappoint a new Hawai'i County Planning Director. Jeff Darrow's 26 years with the Hawai'i Planning Department, supporting Zendo Kern, have demonstrated a lack of commitment to the land and local voices. These voices have consistently opposed high-end developments, advocating instead for the conservation of the land for endangered species and the island's future. Jeff Darrow's support against local voices in the past years shows he is not the right fit for the job, and we demand that accountability be served. We need a Planning Director who prioritizes island resources and infrastructure over high-end developments, favors land conservation, and listens to and supports local voices. We need someone who will work to ensure the Big Island retains its unique character and doesn't turn into another Oahu. We also need someone who is respectful of our rights by NOT overreaching their station, as this 2045 General Plan is doing. We stand, and OPPOSE Hawi'i County Planning General Plan for the reasons stated: In the General Plan Page 79 9.4 Support mechanisms, such as PUD and Cluster Plan Development (CPD), that group parcel density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds. The General Plan DOES NOT explain what a PUD means. Taken from this site: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/what-is-a-planned-unit-development/ "A planned unit development, or PUD, is a community of single-family homes, and sometimes condos or townhomes, where every homeowner belongs to a homeowners association (HOA)." Taken from this site: https://www.zillow.com/learn/what_is_pud/ "To most home shoppers, a planned unit development (PUD) may look like a single-family home. But the legal structure for a PUD is more similar to that of a condo and can impact the mortgage process. Again, you’ll need to read all these documents to determine whether that specific PUD is right for you. And remember, all PUDs are different, so each one will have its own set of rules and restrictions." Page 80 9.f Study the feasibility, issues, and opportunities related to the development of a TDR program to strategically preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent with the land use pattern in accordance with the General Plan Land Use Maps. It's deeply frustrating that the Hawai'i County Planning Department isn't transparently explaining its Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. It feels like they’re pushing for land use changes that suit their vision without respecting the community’s strong, unified opposition over the last six months. In every meeting, 100% of the community has voiced their disapproval, yet it seems those concerns aren't acknowledged. General Plan Page 87 Everything below is to enforce their TDR program, which they are not explaining. 13.1 Encourage flexibility in the design of residential sites, buildings, and related facilities to achieve a diversity of socio-economic housing mix and innovative means of meeting the market requirements. 13.2 Prioritize increase in density, rehabilitation, and redevelopment within existing zoned urban areas already served by basic infrastructure, or close to such areas. 13.4 Encourage the rehabilitation and/or utilization of maximum density in multi-family residential areas. 13.8 Focus on medium- and high-density residential and commercial uses in communities that can sustain a higher intensity of uses and where consistent with General Plan Land Use Map and existing town character 13.9 Support the rezoning of land to multiple residential near places of employment, retail, utilities, and educational, recreational, cultural, and public facilities. Their efforts to align with the General Plan Land Use Map are causing significant changes across the island, which is a significant concern. For example, changing the Land Use Title from agricultural to urban for high-end developer Hokulia would allow developers to bypass the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) requirements, which are crucial for protecting the land and the community. This move could have profound implications for the environment and local residents, and this 2045 General Plan wants to change high-end developer's Land Use Titles for many others as well. Moreover, they're not considering the island's resources, which are already under considerable strain. Please see these News Articles in this petition that show how the Big Island is dealing with resource and infrastructure issues because Hawai’i County Planning is not making it a priority https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and- visit Page 149 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart grid development Hawai’i County Planning doesn’t talk about the power broadband and a smart grid will need, and Hawai’i Electric states, “That’s why we will need everyone to work together over the next month, and possibly longer, to conserve electricity. We are extremely tight on what we call our generation margin, the margin between the demand for electricity and our ability to supply it. This demand typically peaks on weekdays between 5 and 9 p.m. and that’s when the margin is most critical.” https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/an-update-on-hawaii-island-power-generation The island doesn’t have the power for broadband or a smart grid, and the traffic it will create because it has to lay cable underground will be massive. https://smartgrid.ieee.org/resources?cafid=0&id=223: “A smart grid alone does three things. First, it modernizes power systems through self-healing designs, automation, remote monitoring, and control… Thus, a smart grid sits at the heart of the smart city, which cannot fully exist without it”. Also, a Smart Grid will allow them more control through “remote monitoring,” which will invade our privacy. https://minnovation.com.au/smart-cities-2/disadvantages-of-smart-cities-potential-challenges-and-concerns/: “Privacy and Data Security: Smart cities rely heavily on the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data from sensors, cameras, and connected devices. This data is crucial for optimizing city operations and services. However, extensive data gathering raises concerns about privacy infringement and data security. Citizens worry about their personal information being accessed or misused.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402414011X: Drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid: Continuous communication network should be available. During emergency situation, network congestion or performance are big challenges in smart grid system. Cellular network providers do not provide guaranteed service in abnormal situations such as wind storm, heavy rain and lightening conditions. Some smart meters can be hacked which can be used to increase or decrease the demand for power. It is expensive to install smart meter compare to traditional old electricity meter. Hawai’i County Planning Department does NOT have any research about how a broadband and smart grid will affect the health of the island, its community, animals, and plants. For example, at the bottom of this article, it states https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/11104/the-dangers-that-come-with-a-smart-grid: “Re: The Dangers That Come with a Smart Grid #1 John Endres 2018-Feb-23 2:31 PM One very critical danger that comes with a "smart grid" was not mentioned: the adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields. Current estimates of people experiencing adverse health effects from wireless technology hover at around 5%--I am one of them. After the installation of a water utility smart meter at my place of work, I experienced an escalation of symptoms (over time) that started with headaches and ultimately culminated in a seizure (I lost control of my legs). One month prior to the smart meter installation I had a complete annual physical and was given a clean bill of health. I underwent a barrage of medical tests after a week of experiencing health symptoms (thyroid, EEG, MRI, etc.) and everything was normal. I did begin to feel some of the painful head and eye sensations (that I would feel near wireless sources) at the end of the MRI.” Nor do they have any research on health risks with cell towers that they are allowing to be placed anywhere, and some of these cell tower tops are just a few feet from residential homes, HWY, and retirement homes…because a lot of the island is a mountain. If you put the base of a cell tower on one street, the top could be directly across from the community. https://mdsafetech.org/cell-tower-health-effects/: *** Percentage of studies that reported harmful effect of EMR in various groups in MOEF Report Human Effects– 62% showed effects, 13% no effect and 25% inconclusive Plant Effects– 87% showed effects and 13% were inconclusive Wildlife Effects- 62% showed effects, 4% no effect and 36% inconclusive Bee Effects—85% showed effects and 15% no effect Bird Effects- 77% showed effects, 10% no effect and 13% inconclusive “Overall results of this review show three types of effects by base station antennas on the health of people: radiofrequency sickness (RS), cancer (C) and changes in biochemical parameters (CBP). Considering all the studies reviewed globally (n = 38), 73.6% (28/38) showed effects: 73.9% (17/23) for radiofrequency sickness, 76.9% (10/13) for cancer and 75.0% (6/8) for changes in biochemical parameters...Of special importance are the studies performed on animals or trees near base station antennas that cannot be aware of their proximity and to which psychosomatic effects can never be attributed.” It's concerning that the Hawai'i County Planning Department isn't providing detailed information about the potential disadvantages of broadband and smart grid projects. They seem to be focusing on the benefits without addressing the possible negative impacts, especially when the island lacks the extra power for it. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402414011X: "However smart grids, being computerized remote-control systems overseeing electricity distribution, are vulnerable to cyberattacks." 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in the Code. Hawai’i Planning does NOT explain that they use the word “sitting” to mean the laying of cable underground. The term "siting of new communications facilities" is extremely confusing. It generally refers to the process of selecting and preparing locations for new infrastructure, such as towers and cables, needed to support broadband and smart grid projects. This often involves road construction and can lead to increased traffic and disruptions because these cables need to be laid underground. These cables could be laid shallow as this site states https://primex.com/fiber-optic-internet-going-underground/: “The terrain and the local conditions need to be taken into account when considering underground broadband deployment. In rocky terrain, cable must be laid in a shallow trench.” https://pulsefibre.co.uk/2023/06/15/when-more-is-less-the-risks-and-downsides-of-overbuild/: “Cost: Fibre optic broadband infrastructure can be an expensive endeavour, especially if it involves duplicating existing networks. This cost can ultimately be passed on to consumers, making broadband services more expensive and potentially reducing the adoption rate of fibre optic services. Inefficiency: As mentioned above, overbuilding can lead to dormant infrastructure, creating wasted resources and increased environmental impact. This is particularly relevant in the case of fibre optic broadband, where installing fibre can be resource intensive. Fragmentation: When different service providers own and operate various parts of the infrastructure, it can make it difficult for consumers to switch between providers and could result in reduced competition. Legal and regulatory issues: Particularly in cases where existing service providers have exclusive rights to operate in certain areas. This can result in lengthy legal battles that delay the deployment of new infrastructure. Maintenance: Increased maintenance costs can occur, especially if there is redundant infrastructure that needs to be maintained. This can ultimately lead to higher costs for consumers or reduced network quality – something we are wholeheartedly against at Pulse Fibre. Technology obsolescence: Expensive upgrades or replacements may be required down the line if new infrastructure is not designed to accommodate future upgrades. Wasted resources: Overbuilding for fibre solutions can result in the waste of valuable resources, including time, money, and materials. Environmental: Overbuilding multiplies CO2 emissions as duplicate workforces are deployed, travelling more miles, digging more holes and creating a piecemeal labour profile. As well as laying more raw materials which may never get used. More information can be found on the Journal of Lightwave Technology.” It's concerning that the Hawai'i County Planning Department isn't addressing the increasing traffic issues while pushing for broadband and smart grid projects. Infrastructure, especially roadways, is already under significant strain, and these new projects will exacerbate the problem rather than alleviate it. General Plan Page 87 13.13 Support master planning by public and private institutions and landowners which emphasize TOD, affordable housing, and mixed- use development. Page 117 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. Hawai’i County Planning Department mentions “Master Planning and Ordinances” but they DO NOT explain what these are in their 2045 General Plan. It seems they want to leave things open so they can change the meaning in the future if needed. Page 89 13.44 The development or designation of new resort areas should complement the character of the area; protect the environment and natural beauty; respect existing lifestyles, cultural practices, and cultural resources; and provide shoreline public access. Page 142 28.11 The County shall ensure that golf course developments develop and implement grading and site preparation plans to... It's frustrating to see so many development applications going up all over when the Big Island clearly does not need more resorts and golf courses. The island is already facing resource issues with existing developments, and there are still many years of already-approved projects that haven't even been started yet. The island needs sustainable development that prioritizes the well-being of residents and the conservation of the island's resources. Please read this petition: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here- and-visit "The West Hawai’i Sanitary Landfill, the only remaining landfill on the Big Island, is forecast to reach capacity within the next 20 to 25 years." https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/17/big-island-now-poll-no-27-results-more-than-one-solution-needed-to-help-extend- life-of-west-hawaii-landfill/ "Water issues are not just happening ‘somewhere else’. In Hawaii the finite boundaries of each island requires geographically defined water self-sufficiency systems that are reliable, safe, and expandable. On each island there are dozens of micro-climates and varied geologic features that impact the availability, methods, and costs to access safe water. http://www.oneisland.org/hawaii/green- resources/water "HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.” https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ 14.1 Support the State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with the General Plan Rural designation. What is the General Plan Rural Designation? Is this more high-end land use titles changing from agriculture to rural? Page 111 17.4 Land use applications shall identify as early as possible any existing or potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the County’s open space network. Who decides what a living corridor is? Is this the county's way of taking private land areas away through a Land Use Application? Read more reasons to OPPOSE the General Plan at this page https://bigislandsupport.com/2045-gp-testimonial/ We firmly oppose the Hawai’i County Planning Department’s 2045 General Plan. We demand the reappointment of the Hawai’i Planning Director to someone who will prioritize addressing Big Island resources, conserving the land, and listening to local voices. We need a leader who will stand with the community, not high-end developers, to preserve the unique character and future of the Big Island. Heidi White, Realtor (S)-57643Direct: 808-895-4304 At Home On The Big Island, Hawaii From:Kathleen Mishina To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony to WPC for Special General Plan Meeting on March 10, 2025 Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 10:54:37 AM Attachments:Testimony to WPC re General Plan 2045 page 1 o3.pdf Testimony to WPC re General Plan 2045 page 2 o3.pdf Testimony to WPC re General Plan 2045 page 3 o3.pdf Aloha to all members of the Windward Planning Commission, I am emailing my written testimony for the upcoming WPC meeting for the General Plan2045. My 3 page testimony is attached. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.Thank you, Kathleen Mishina 808-895-0313kmmishina@gmail.com From:Ken Forbes To:WPCtestimony Subject:Windward Planning Commission testimony for March 10 meeting Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 6:50:36 PM Attachments:testimony for GP meeting.docx Please see attached testimony regarding Windward Planning Commission GPmeeting on March 10. Ken Forbes PO Box 199 Hakalau, HI 96710 County of Hawai`i Windward Planning Commission Via email: WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov RE: Comments related to the Final Draft General Plan 2045 in consideration of Hakalau Point Chair Lin and Commission Members: Thank you for this opportunity to testify. I was born and raised on the Hamakua Coast and Hilo and returned from Oahu after retiring. I live in what’s called the Hakalau Plantation Village. Along with others, I was involved in providing testimony to the Hamakua CDP Committee, focusing on Hakalau Point. Regarding housing: Does the draft proposal for Hakalau Point provide housing opportunities for the existing Hamakua community? The 18-year history of the Hakalau Plantation Village, near the Point but mauka of Old Mamalahoa Hwy, provides a lesson about that. Nineteen of the 22 lots have houses now, mostly 1/3 acre. o Mostly folks who moved from the mainland to live here. o Many are retired. There are 4 physicians, 2 former lawyers, 2 former engineers, an architect, other retired professionals. o The majority of the houses have been resold at least once. Almost all who sold returned to the mainland. o The 3 most recent sales: $920k, $980k, $1.4 m. In short, regarding housing, the draft GP does not appear to me to address community interests. My hope has been that an Open zoning designation in the GP would reflect the County’s preference that this land beside Hakalau Bay not be developed. As with others, I view it as one of those places that the County should recognize as special. Yes, there is Low Density Urban nearby but is that a good rationale for using this particular piece of land in the same way? The community input to the CDP thought not. With respect, Ken Forbes From:Kevin Kunz To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony Hawaii Count Genral Plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 1:58:13 PM Attachments:WPC General Plan Testimony. K. Kunz 3.5.25.docx Dear Friends, Please find attached my testimony related to the proposed Hawaii County General Plan, 2045. Mahalo for the work you do to preserve our unique community, our cultures and our living environment. Kevin Kunz19-4071 Wright RoadVolcano Hawaii 96785808-895-6619 Kevin Kunz 19-4071 Wright Road Volcano, Hawaii 96785 March 5, 2025 Windward Planning Commission WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov Dear Leadership at the Windward Planning Commission, I am writing in support of the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045, specifically Section 2.0: Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship. As a resident of Volcano Village in the Puna District, a committed senior, a volunteer member of this community, and a Back Country Volunteer at Hawaii Volcanos National Park, please view me as a serious stakeholder for the ideals and objectives set forth in Section 2.0. Further, my position reflects that of several dozen of my Puna and Volcano Village friends. Although they are less likely to comment on the General Plan, I can assure you that they will support it and work for it as it comes online. After attention to our families and preservation of our unique Hawaii County community cultures, the absolute necessity of preserving our distinctive, one and only physical environment becomes paramount. Indeed, this environment influences who we are, or may become, and all that we do. For generations to come. As currently written, Section 2.0 is, in my view, perfect. It covers all bases, and enhances the opportunities for collaboration by any stakeholders, allowing activation of our citizenry. Truth be told, participation of the community is an essential and necessary element. I and I know others as well, do others pledge to support not just this plan, yet also our commitment to step up when our participation is needed. From pulling invasive plants, to teaching others the responsibility we all have together to save our environment, to reaching out to county, state and federal level pullers. Finally, and emphatically, I wish to comment on Section 2.0, Actions 1.o: Study, develop, and establish Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zones. With Puna and Volcano Village’s geographically inclusive and/or adjacent location next to Hawaii Volcanos National Park (HVNP). HVNP is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and we are the buffering community. Let us step up our game with this General Plan, and preserve all we can in this unique buffer zone. Sincerely, Kevin Kunz From:K C-A To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony Cc:Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt;Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:DO NOT RECOMMEND Big Island General Plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 8:52:18 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld 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 forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged 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. 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 thepdf showing 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. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 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! 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. Mahalo, Kim Cobb-Adams Stroud From:Rebecca Melendez To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony; cdp@hawaii.gov; Planning General Plan; Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz,Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, JamesSubject:Please stand with YOUR community and vote UNFAVORABLE on the 2045 General Plan Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 3:14:39 PM Attachments:image.pngUnclear General Plan.doc Aloha Council Members, Why are you continuing to favor this plan when the community is clearly opposing it? This petition Opposing the General Plan has almost 200 signatures and is growing https://www.change.org/p/we-oppose-hawai-i-planning-department-s-2045-general-plan-we-stand-for-a-new-director. This is almost the full size ofyour chambers. Please start standing with the community and vote UNFAVORABLE for this General Plan because YOU are supposedto support our voices. Continuing to vote in favor of this General Plan when 100% of the community at the meeting andI'm sure emailing you are OPPOSING this plan, is showing signs that you are being paid off and this is a seriousoffense. The average citizen cannot understand most of the plan because the County Planning Department has disrespected ourcommunity by writing a General Plan that is so vague and extremely unclear. I feel they did this so they would be ableto change meanings later. The plan does not fully explain their "Ordinances, Impact Fees, Ordinance Fees, Regulations, Master Plans"... All theydo is mention these, but they offer no explanation of what they mean. The community has a right to fully understandwhat all of these mean. Where are their full explanations, since they want to implement more fees and moreregulations? The County Planning Department has extreme changes in it’s General Plan? Has there ever been a plan with this many changes? Has there ever been a plan that has so much overreach in control/power? Can the council keep past General Plan's instead of this one? Because this plan is so extreme in changing Land UseTitles, putting in a lot more Regulations, Ordinances, a Smart Grid, and Broadband that the island doesn’t need, andcompletely changing the way we live on island. Does an Island really need wifi under the roads? This is what their Smart Grid would do. Does an Island really needBroadband? 35.i Develop best management practices for the development and maintenance of golf courses in collaboration withgovernment, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders. Why does the county want to develop more golf courses when we need to stand up and help save our corals. Golf courses use a lot of poisons to keep their lands weed-free, and these poisons runoff into the ocean, causing algae bloomsand other pollutions. "Coral Bleaching is occurring more frequently in Hawai'i. Across the Hawaiian Archipelago, coral bleaching has increased infrequency and severity since 1996. The last major bleaching event in 2014-2015 had catastrophic Impacts state-wide… Thiswas the third major bleaching episode in Hawaiʻi over the last 6 years. The frequency of these events is unprecedented in thearchipelago. NOAA scientists and partners have determined that the key drivers of the bleaching were environmental factors(such as heat stress, depth, and surface light) and human impacts (sewage effluent and urban run-off). " https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/cautionary-tale-2019-coral-bleaching-event-hawaii#:~:text=Coral%20Bleaching%20Is%20Occurring%20more,had%20catastrophic%20impacts%20state%2Dwide "Damage to the Hawaiian corals is "widespread," especially in areas, such as bays, where there is limited water flow andtemperatures heat up quickly, DeMartini said." https://abcnews.go.com/US/hawaiis-coral-reefs-peril-researchers-restore-coral-ecosystems/story?id=101486998 ‘Strong Correlation’ Between Overtourism and Coral Reef Degradation Co-authored by Greg Asner, director of the ASU Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science in the Julie AnnWrigley Global Futures Laboratory, and leader of the largest coral reef monitoring program on the planet, the study in questionfound that there was a “strong correlation” between what has been dubbed “overtourism” and significant coral reefdegradation. “I know these reefs extremely well, so I’m careful to not say correlation is causation,” explains Asner. “But there was a reallystrong correlation – even I was impressed.” https://earth.org/coral-reef-degredation/ Department of Aquatic Resources DAR has a full report on West Hawai’i reefs, and they show that over 60% of the reefs arenow covered with Turf Algae. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2024/12/ar_hrs188-2025.pdf DAR Reports that turf algae is the dominate coverage in West Hawai'i reefs. What is Turf Algae? Look at the above link on page 78. "Algal turfs characteristically trap ambient sediments and smother corals and other competitors for space by gradual encroachment." image.png https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/algae-on-the-reef-faces-functions-of-seaweed/ “For many people, algae on the reef is synonymous with environmental decline. Often the presence of algae is associatedwith terms such as “harmful algal bloom” and “eutrophication,” which imply the negative effects of too much algae in anenvironment. It’s true that under some conditions algae can grow uncontrolled and become a problem for reef-building corals,as they compete for both space and sunlight on the reef. One thing that can lead to an overgrowth of algae is an excess ofnutrients in the water, either naturally from upwelling of nearby nutrient-rich waters, or from anthropogenic sources, such asagricultural runoff from land. These nutrients act as fertilizers for plants on the reef, allowing them to grow very quickly.” 37.3 Prioritize new housing including the missing middle in or near mixed-use developments, urban growth areas withinfrastructure, and near existing and proposed transit centers. There are year’s worth of developments that have been approved that haven’t started construction yet. Please read this petitionand see all the News Articles that prove that Island resources need to start becoming the focus rather than continuing to keep approving more and more developments. https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit 37.c Assess and amend the land use and building regulations and explore fiscal opportunities to support universal designprinciples and ADA accessibility for more physically accessible housing. They need to wait for all the many homes they have already approved for future development to see how the island’sresources handles all of them because as of today the resources and infrastructure are seriously overtaxed. News Articles Proving What is Happening to Big Island Resources: “Hawai'i State News Update: Hawaiian Electric initiates rolling outages throughout Big Island February 13, 2024 · 5:23PM HST* Updated February 14, 2024 · 4:21 PM The emergency outages are being initiated in various areas around the entire island to prevent loss of power to an evengreater number of customers. The timing and extent of the outages will depend on the amount of demand on the systemand the availability of generators.” https://bigislandnow.com/2024/02/13/hawaii-island-customers-asked-to-reduce-electricity-use/ “LOCAL NEWS HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HSTUpdated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several largegenerators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.”https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ "Here's how power outages can have repercussions for Hawaiʻi's water supply Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By SavannahHarriman-PotePublished February 13, 2024 at 10:59 AM HST Water departments on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island have advised customers to conserve water ahead of possible storm-related power outages this month. But what does the power grid have to do with the water supply? It is impossible to separate Hawaiʻi's power system from its water system, said Kawika Uyehara, deputy director ofHawaiʻi County's Department of Water Supply." https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2024-02-13/residents-on-hawaii-island-and-oahu-are-asked-to-conserve-water-amid-power-outages U.S. Hawaii is "on the verge of a greater catastrophe," locals say, as water crisis continuesBy Li Cohen Updated on: April 11, 2024 / 8:23 AM EDT / CBS News In Hawaii, one of the most important sayings is ola i ka wai, "water is life" — a phrase that not only sums up what itmeans to exist on an island, but what it means to live, period. But now, one of the largest of the island chain's landmasses is facing a triple threat to its sole freshwater source, and if it isn't addressed soon, one community member says,"we're in deep trouble." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-water-crisis-climate-change/ This is a map of Power Outages on the Big Island. This map wouldn't have been created if Power Outages were not aserious issue on island. https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/power-outages/hawaii-island-outage-map “Hawaiian Electric is reporting that several large generators on the Big Island are experiencing a range of issues andmay lead to the need for rolling outages if supply does not meet demand." https://www.reddit.com/r/BigIsland/comments/1bnuar3/hawaiian_electric_is_reporting_that_several_large/?rdt=52660 "NewsHawaiian Electric asking Big Island customers to conserve power due to down generators March 25, 2024 · 11:49 AM HST Other News Articles: https://www.kitv.com/news/local/rolling-power-outages-possible-on-big-island/article_1811581e-cae6-11ee-bec6-bf9467cc02f6.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIqwUNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQKMTNPT8EedBYRidyQEoPWlese5n4dRl-6FeuHh1nYCoQ8kqtESAhgXjw_aem_9WNsZM4cllevOmbCMPZGNg https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2024/10/17/water-supply-issues-statement-on-red-flag-warning-power-shutoffs/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-water-crisis-climate-change/ https://hawaiibest.us/2023/09/11/big-island-now-poll-no-27-whats-the-best-way-to-extend-the-life-of-the-big-islands-only-remaining-landfill/ https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/acute-problems-plaguing-big-islands-wastewater-treatment-systems-prompt-epa-crackdown/ 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. What are they going to monitor, and why? Are they taking our privacy away? 39.8 Encourage the development of workforce housing within or near urban growth areas and employment centers and requirelarge new developments that create a demand for housing to provide affordable workforce housing. There are years worth of housing developments that haven't started construction yet, and Hawaii Planning want to "Prioritize"even more housing developments when they need to "Prioritize" the islands resources and infrastructure because they are beingovertaxed today. Please read this petition that has almost 600 signatures: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit Where is the map that shows all the already approved developments that haven't even started yet so we can see how they arecreating the Big Island? I've asked Senator Kanuha to send me the link to this map because why is Hawaii Planning wantingmore developments when the island's resources are overtaxed today. 35.r Develop and implement a cemeteries master plan for the siting of future cemeteries. What is their “cemetery master plan”? 36.b Develop a medical center TOD master plan and rezone it as a Regional Center TOD. What is the "TOD master plan” and how will they “rezone” it? 19.a Continue to adopt the County Street design manual as the County’s complete street design program/policy. What is the “County Street design manual”? I don’t see this information in the General Plan. 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. What is a "Complete Streets ordinance"? Another regulation? 25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well asreduce whole-life costs. What is their “Asset Management Program”? 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. What is an "Impact Fees Ordinance"? More regulations? 26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. What do they consider “the most valuable end-use” for water? The resorts or the community? 26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+ units) in the North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, SouthKona, and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation, recharge, and reusemeasures to reduce the water footprint. How can 200+ units be water-neutral? Why is the county encouraging big developments when the island has resource issues with developments that arealready here? Are they NOT paying attention to island resources? Please read this petition: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit 26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. What does this mean, “for private water systems”? 27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. What is this loan program? Is the island going into more debt because of it? 26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield, present and future demand, alternative sources of water,guidelines, and policies for the issuing of water commitments. What is their “water master plan”? What would be their water guidelines and policies for issuing water? 31.c Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of County services and facilities. What is an “Impact Fees Ordinance”? Another regulation? 13.e Amend Zoning Code to:i. Establish a TOD overlay zone project district with a minimum size of 15 acres.ii. Create a TND overlay zone for existing zoned lands within identified residential and commercial zoning districts.iii. Allow for residential uses in ML and MCX zoning districts.iv. Support innovative uses of alternative energy, agriculture, aquaculture, and others, in MCX zoning district What exactly does “Establish a TOD overlay zone project district with a minimum size of 15 acres” mean? What does a "TND overlay zone" look like? What does ML and MCX stand for? These are not in their glossary, and I can't find them in the GP or online. This General Plan is NOT CLEAR AND NEEDS TO BE OPPOSED, IF NOT ONLY FOR THE REASON THAT IT ISNOT CLEAR. 14.1 Support the State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with the General Plan Rural designation. 14.b Amend the zoning districts currently listed as Family Agricultural District (FA) and the Residential and AgriculturalDistricts (RA) to be consistent with the Rural designation and to allow for home occupations that do not negatively impactrural character Would this mean the county would have the right not to approve homes on "Rural Designated" lands if they feel it can“negatively impact rural character”? Are they over-reaching their control? 19.6 Use traffic demand management to aid in reducing traffic congestion by targeting an increase of active transportationmode share to 10 percent (bicycling, walking, micro-mobility) What do they mean by "Use traffic demand management to aid in reducing traffic congestion"? Will they somehowlimit cars? What is the General Plan Rural Designation? 14.2 Support reclassification/rezoning of appropriate General Plan Rural designated areas where an intermediate land use and awell-defined buffer between Urban and Productive Agricultural areas are consistent with the surrounding uses and ruralcharacter. What is the "reclassification/rezoning of appropriate General Plan Rural designated..."? 30.3 Collaborate with utility companies to incentivize the underground siting of electrical and telecommunications facilitieswithin public rights-of-way What does underground sitting mean (they spelled sitting wrong)? They do not make this clear because they do not want us toknow they want to lay down wifi cable below our streets causing more traffic in our 2 lane roads. At least this is what I think itmeans from my research of a "Smart Grid" and "Broadband". 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in theCode. The above sentences are confusing because it looks like the county doesn’t want us to understand that to create“telecommunications facilities fully,” they must put Cable underground; hence, they use the wording “ undergroundsiting.” So, we don’t fully understand the consequences of laying cable under our streets. They seem to want to confuse us, because “sitting” sounds better than causing serious traffic to dig up all the roads to lay downthis kind of cable all over the Big Island, which will cost billions. 30.b Develop standards for the siting and construction of wireless telecommunication facilities. This site explains what the General Plan doesn't explain about "siting and construction" https://primex.com/fiber-optic-internet-going-underground/ "The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home technology has internet service providers (ISPs) andintegrators on the hunt for the most effective methods of broadband delivery for many scenarios. "The cable will be closer to the surface and more vulnerable to damage. In this case, a more expensive cable that can withstandcontact will be required. Cables buried in clay will also need to be of higher quality because the clay can hold stones and pushthem against the cable. In clay, the trench will also need to be much deeper. In developed areas, the existing infrastructure can be problematic. Digging through concrete sidewalks and roads is costly anddisruptive." The traffic on Big Island has been increasing every month, and they want to dig up our two lane roads to "sit" their "broadbandinfrastructure'? THEY ARE NOT ADDRESS INFRASTRACTURE ISSUES ON ISLAND. 30.9 Alleviate barriers and assist broadband projects with navigating through the regulatory permitting process. They haven't show any research for the health risks of a smart grid and broadband because wifi will be on all the timeon our streets. We need to see the research for the health risks of this. What is their "regulatory permitting process"? They don't explain this. 27.15 Prioritize the use of gray water in areas connected to County water and not connected to County wastewater. Why doesn’t the county start looking for new inventions to help the island instead of traditional sources when the island’spopulation is steadily growing and needs new ideas to help? They could start considering using inventions like these: https://ecofriend.com/innovative-products-designed-capture-reuse-gray-water.html https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/gray-water-clean-up-yoram-cohen-271642 https://www.greenprophet.com/2015/04/10-inventions-to-save-earths-water/ 35.f Update the County of Hawaiʻi Recreation Plan to reflect newly identified recreational priorities. The county has sent out letters changing private Land Use Titles to recreational land. Does this mean they will belooking for more lands to change their Land Use Titles into recreational lands, thereby taking their property away bynot allowing them to pass it down to family or sell it? Why is it legal for the county to take private lands away from people to give their lands to recreation? It's NOTRIGHT! I heard these people would still have to pay the property tax on their land, which the county wants to turn intorecreational land, is this going to happen? Please stand with all these reasons why this 2045 General Plan needs to be UNFAVORABLE. PLEASE STAND WITHYOUR COMMUNITY. Sincerely,Rebecca Melendez From:Sherrie Galdeira To:WPCtestimony Subject:Testimony in Support of Collaborative BioCultural Stewardship in the General Plan 2045 Date:Wednesday, March 5, 2025 7:52:08 PM Aloha, I am a resident of Volcano, Hawaii, 96785 zip code. I am extremely interested in adding additional protections for our native Ohi'a forest, which is being decimated by unpermittedgrubbing and grading, feral ungulates, ROD and invasive species. We need much stronger ordinances and building codes at the County level to protect this natural resource for the nativewildlife, watershed, and economic viability of our community. I support the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship in the General Plan 2045, and strengthening of the current ordinancesgoing forward. In addition, there needs to be a facilitation of property tax incentives to the lowest level for small size lot owners ( 9000 SQ FT) wishing to put their lots into Native Ohi'aForest conservation. Mahalo, Sherrie GaldeiraPO Box 1265 Volcano, HI 96785(c) 808-345-9641 (e) sherrie.galdeira@gmail.com-- Cooper Center CouncilSherrie Galdeira, President-Elect (p) 808-967-7800(e) Email us (w) Cooper Center Council(a) 19-4030 Wright Road P. O. Box 1000 Volcano, HI 96785 -- HCAN 'Ohana Leadership Council Member PO Box 23198Honolulu, HI 96823 Phone: 808-531-5502 | Email: info@hawaii-can.org HAWAI'I LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES A Hilo Businesses, LLC EntityPARALEGAL | NOTARY PUBLIC | CIVIL PROCESS SERVER PO Box 1265 Volcano, HI 96785 (c) 808.345.9641 | (e) hilobusinesses@gmail.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and may be protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure or use of this e-mail or anyattachments are prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the senderimmediately and delete this copy from your system. From:Ali Eden To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:General Plan 2045 Date:Thursday, March 6, 2025 12:25:40 PM Aloha, PLEASE do the right thing and vote NO to this horrific plan! It is obviously not by ourpeople or for our people. It is a land and power grab. Who in their right mind would want to destroy our beautiful island with this tyranny? I would hope no one living here! It is sodisturbing to think people must be getting paid off to go along with this agenda. People are tired of government overreach and being ignored. At least we were heard regardingHB 1118, one tiny victory against a barrage of bills aimed at taking our freedom. Mahalo From:Dan and Shannon Fisher To:WPCtestimony Subject:Vote "No" we do not recommend Hawaii GP 2045 Date:Thursday, March 6, 2025 5:13:02 PM Aloha, Please vote no on the Hawaii GP 2045. The following are a few concerns to consider; 1. Homeowner is not mentioned.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 communityengagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 2. Improve our current infrastructure. Our current electric infrastructure can not support themodel in this plan. We rely on bio fuels and they should not be diminished. It would be too costly, in fact unattainable, to promote a " green agenda". There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here! 3. The island needs sustainable development that prioritizes the well-being of residents and the conservation of the island's resources. Mahalo for your attention, Dan and Shannon Fisher From:Karen Alvarado To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Vote Unfavorable Recommendation on the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:01:19 PM The Big Island General Plan is very long and complicated. I know most of these political documents are written so that the average person cannot understand them and make it so it is overwhelming. One has to study it throughly and most will not and cannot as it is so hard to comprehend. However, owning property and land here on the Northern tip I can see this plan is not in favor of the people who have lived and worked their land for years. I am so disappointed that this plan would even be recommended. I am not sure who you people are and why you would even favor it. I wonder if our government is putting plants into these positions and they aren't even living here and don't care about the people or the state of Hawaii. This is a beloved place and you are planning to devastate this beautiful place and the people. Please wake up and let God guide you for the benefit of all of us. It's becoming a very scary place to live. Thanks for your consideration. Concerns Include: Land Use Titles changing Residential to Recreation DROPS property value The plan could set up MANY opportunities for the State to take your land & Rezone The plan could regulate OFF-GRID living The plan will further STRESS the electric grid by increasing prices. They want to create a Smart Grid and Broadband infrastructure that will dig up roads to lay WIFI cable underground that will be on all the time Most of the Big Island will change to Conservation land (only a park can be on it) or Natural land (no people, buildings, or farming). How will Hawaii Homelands give land back to Hawaiians? AND MORE! 5 Pages gunnnr@hawaii.rr.con 808-938-2954 or evans.kohala@gmail.com 808-345-5810 Date: March 7, 2025 To: Windward Planning Commission Fr: South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee Subject: Draft General Plan Aloha Chair and Members: Recently at our February meeting of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee members of the community discussed the need to express our views about traffic in South Kohala. Following is a summary of the responses received after we solicited by email to over 400 contacts on our list of interested residents. Mahalo for your consideration. We can provide names and contact information upon request. Chair Gunner Mench, Kamuela Vice-Chair Cindy Evans, Kamuela ________________________________________________________________________________ RESPONSES Number 1 The plan should include the goal of bypassing freight and general highway traffic from the cores of small towns like Waimea. The intersection of Kawaihae Rd and Hawaii Belt Rd provides an example of a choke point for Hawaii island traffic. All freight transportation from Kawaihae that is not going to Kona or N. Kohala goes up Kawaihae Road and winds up at this intersection. A large percentage of parents who need to take kids to and from Waimea School, HPA or Parker School pass through this intersection. The same is true of a large fraction of daily work traffic. Traffic has changed Waimea and is transforming its character. 5 Pages gunnnr@hawaii.rr.con 808-938-2954 or evans.kohala@gmail.com 808-345-5810 Another aspect that should be emphasized in prioritizing, justifying, and planning is safety, especially in emergencies like fire. Traffic breaks down when too many cars enter a chokepoint sometimes to the point it is literally faster to walk than drive. If there is a fire makai of my house, I will be trapped if Kawaihae Rd gets jammed, or an escape over Kohala Mountain Rd is blocked. It is possible to estimate the numbers of people who will be similarly trapped by traffic in different scenarios. Perhaps that is a metric that can help to justify provision of practical if not temporary emergency bypasses like in Waikoloa. Number 2 The section of the draft GP that you attached to your message (4.2 Access and Mobility) does not address the primary concern of most residents in the Village which is the ability to escape the flames during a wildfire emergency, and to bring into the Village the first responders from the Puako fire and police stations needed to fight the fire. The policies governing access needed to protect health and safety of residents during disaster events are addressed in Section 4.4 Public Facilities. Objective 32 sets out the policies we need to protect Village residents. Those include policies aimed at ensuring that Waikoloa Village will have a second access road -- 32.h. Establish, map and maintain alternative and emergency evacuation routes in each high risk hazard area. 32.k. Develop and/or improve secondary access roads for those communities with only one means of ingress/egress. 32.20 Prioritize hazard mitigation projects in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). Our primary concern with the Draft GP is that these policies are not implemented with proposed actions. We submitted comments last summer asking that a second access road be identified as a priority project with a schedule for implementation. The current Recommended Draft does not respond to that request. The South Kohala Community Development Plan adopted in 2008 includes a chapter establishing priorities for Waikoloa Village. The Waikoloa Village Plan added “action plans” and identified priority projects. Specifically, the Village Plan, at p. 93, identified “construction of a second access road to Queen Ka’ahu- manu Highway” as the first priority for the community, and adopted the following policy: 5 Pages gunnnr@hawaii.rr.con 808-938-2954 or evans.kohala@gmail.com 808-345-5810 Waikoloa Policy 3. PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, including roadways, bikeways, and pedestrian paths, and with very high priority given to the construction of a second access road connecting Waikoloa Village to Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway.[1] To implement this Policy, the Village Plan adopted “Strategy 3.1 Plan, Fund, and Construct a Second Access Road to Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway.”[2] The Plan explained why this road was flagged as a high priority project: A second connecting road to Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway is a top priority, both to accommodate increasing traffic volumes and, perhaps more importantly, to provide a second emergency egress route for Waikoloa residents. If feasible, the new access road should also provide pedes- trian and bicycle facilities. The preferred general alignment for this second access road is shown on the Waikoloa Village Concept Plan graphic. The most significant type of natural disaster that threatens the Waikoloa community is the threat of wildfires. The area’s dry climate, combined with the highly flammable introduced vegetation consisting primarily of fountain grass and kiawe trees, and the frequency of high winds make the Waikoloa area especially prone to large-scale wildfires. A 2003 brush fire threatened Waikoloa Village. The fire burned all the way up to the elementary school. Another major fire in August 2005 burned some 20,000 acres to the east and south of Waikoloa Village. That fire burned to the very edge of the Waikoloa Road/Paniolo Avenue intersection, the main intersection in Waikoloa Village. In the case of the 2005 fire, fire fighters were able to control and eventually extinguish the blaze without injuries to people or damage to structures. How- ever, the fire threat is an ever-present danger for the Waikoloa community, and a second ac- cess/egress road may well prove to be the difference between successful evacuation of the Village and injuries and even loss of life. Despite the adoption in 2008 of an action plan that identified the second access road as the highest priority project for Waikoloa Village, the project has not been funded in the CIP, or required to be constructed as a condition for the approval of new residential developments in the Village. Now the Recommended Draft GP completely ignores the Community Development Plan. It does not recognize that the second access road has already been designated through the County Planning process as a "very high priority." Section 6 Implementation describes the Phases of the 2045 Plan. During Phase 1 priority pro- jects are to be implemented. But the GP fails to identify the second road for Waikoloa Village 5 Pages gunnnr@hawaii.rr.con 808-938-2954 or evans.kohala@gmail.com 808-345-5810 as a priority project to be implemented during Phase 1 of the GP. This is the missing piece in the GP. In section "6.3.1, Prioritization of Capital Improvement Projects," the Draft GP quotes the County charter: "Capital improvements shall be prioritized based on criteria aligned with the general plan, community development plans, emergency expenditures and other pertinent functional plans." Section 10-6(a)(2). But then goes no further to recognize priority projects identified in adopted community development plans. We ask that the GP recognize that the SK Community Development Plan includes a chapter for Waikoloa Village that designates the second access arterial road as a "very high priority," and that it should be scheduled for implementation through the CIP during Phase I of the 2045 Plan. We would appreciate your support by including these points in the comments submitted by the Traffic Safety Committee. We will be submitting comments directly to the Planning Commission asking that the draft plan be supplemented with additional language to ensure that the priority identified in the Community Development Plan be implemented. Number 3 a) Because 2 people have hit by cars and died walking/running on Kawaihae between Laelae and Opelo in the past 10 years create sidewalk barrier that runs on both sides of road from Kahawai to Opelo (it is my understanding sidewalk to be installed from Opelo to Spencer- why not extend it 2 blocks where deaths have already occurred from autos veering off road) b) Install barrier at bend just past Hospice on Kawaihae where cars going makai/west cut that curve and drive into shoulder almost hitting pedestrians walking to town (you can see paint worn and road bumps gone from drivers not driving in proper lane) c) Mandate all county and state roads have shoulder big enough to move my car over into it to allow for dangerous tailgating cars and cars wanting to speed and pass into oncoming traffic (like Kiholo accident 2/18/25 killing 2 Waimea residents). d) Put more crosswalks in Waimea Town- at Opelo/Kawaihae, at Kahawai/Kawaihae (Waimea Trails at end of Kahawai gets a lot of people crossing) e) Because Kawaihae Road was never meant to be a highway, mandate 3 lanes to accommodate turn out lanes all up and down Kawaihae. Kawaihae has too many cars causing traffic backed up for miles during am and pm commuting hours and special events- 5 Pages gunnnr@hawaii.rr.con 808-938-2954 or evans.kohala@gmail.com 808-345-5810 f) ADD 2 NEW SUBDIVISIONS on South side of Kawaihae above Mauna Kea and below Waiula (self help housing) with minimum 2 cars per household traveling on a winding dangerous road - Needs total restructuring of this "highway"/old jeep road (reminds me of Tantalus on Oahu that would never accommodate the Matson trucks+ commuters+ school busses+ tourist that travel daily on Kawaihae g) Put in bypass from Waimea Transfer Station road to Mamalahoa Hwy (up Lalamilo?) to pull traffic off Kawaihae just before town That is about it Number 4 a) Page 117, 20.b Language is non-committal to problem of ingress and egress in neighborhoods of size. I sug- gest amend to read: Amend County Code design standards to eliminate neighborhoods of lots totally 50 or more, incrementally built out or not, with only one inlet or outlet. b) Page 118, 22.3 Definition of vulnerable is not defined. In drought pone geographic areas the population is vulnerable. In a rural area with unsafe roads, for example, gravel or dirt, the population is vulnerable. In a area of flood hazards and volcanic hazard area the population is vulnerable. In areas where mass transit is unavailable, the population is vulnerable. Senior citizens who do not drive are vulnerable. c) Page 121, Table 32 Insert a requirement to reevaluate and upgrade roads based on increased usage and in response to properties developed in the neighborhood or district. For example, Waikoloa Road is a primary road not a secondary road. Trucks from the PORTS, trucks from solid waste man- agement, military convoys, Kohala Coast and North Kohala communities use Waikoloa Road to connect to Saddle Road. d) Page 83. Comment on use of maps and planning director making land use decisions. Current General Plan is a vision of where growth and what kind of growth is envisioned. The language in this draft does not provide that king of certainty on what to expect and how decisions will be made. For this reason I ask for unfavorable recommendation. For your information at the community meeting I attended to go over the draft the land use maps were not provided for public comment. From:nancy wood To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Strongly oppose Hawaii GP 2045 Date:Friday, March 7, 2025 8:55:36 AM According to the map I've seen, My land will be eligible to become a state owned park. Obviously, I oppose this.. Yes I will be dead in 2045 (most likely) but my children and grandchildren love our land and would NEVER sell it..much less give it to the state! How dare you try to slip this in without public awareness!!! and why??? This Plan smells foul. It is poorlywritten. No one I know has heard of this! Is the idea to sneak this by the people of the big island while we stumble around in shock from the damage our current president and his boyare doing to our democracy? Who are you to secretly decide the future of the Island? You will be dead by then too (or getting close). I Nancy Wood, strongly oppose this plan. Hawaii GP 2045! Adamantly,Nancy A Wood A smart grid is an advanced and digitally enhanced electricity distribution network that uses technology and two-way communication to efficiently manage energy supply and demand. While traditional grids rely on one-way electricity flow and limited monitoring, smart grids employ sensors and automation to gather real-time data on energy usage and grid conditions." From:Rebecca MelendezTo:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony; cdp@hawaii.gov; Planning General Plan; Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James Subject:What Smart Grid and Broadband really are, and the health risks the 2045 General Plan does NOT explainDate:Friday, March 7, 2025 1:17:45 PM I apologize for my ignorance. I am new to researching, and trying to understand what the Hawai'i Planning Department wants to do in its 2045 General Plan is extremely hardbecause they don't make their plan clear for the average person to understand. I mentioned that Broadband and Smart Grid were Wi-Fi; they are not. I apologize for my misunderstanding. Researching is challenging. I've found what these really are, andI've included links to where I found my information. Please read the last links below. They discuss the health risks and give examples of what has happened worldwide. In the 2045 General Plan page 149 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart griddevelopment: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/308136/638597487229830000 https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-wi-fi-and-broadband/ : "Difference Between Wi-Fi and Broadband Last Updated : 31 Jul, 2024 What is WI-FI Radio frequencies and signals are utilized by Wi-Fi technology to transmit and receive data wirelessly between two devices. Wi-Fi can be thought of as a wireless method of accessing broadband. The two frequency bands that all Wi-Fi connections operate on are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Whereas the 5Ghz frequency range is used for shorter distances and higher bandwidth, the 2.4Ghz frequency band is used for longer distances. What is the process of a Wi-Fi connection? All Wi-Fi connections operate in two easy steps: sending and receiving data on the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands. Initially, your modem and router get a request to access the internet in order to retrieve data. After that, the modem sends the desired response back to the router. The information is then wirelessly transmitted back to the device by the router. What is broadband Broadband data transmission is represented by a large bandwidth. Consider the internet as a channel for data transfer between two devices. In this case, the passway that the data is traveling over is broadband. Broadband connections come in a variety of forms: ASL, DSL, Cable, Fiber, etc. The goal of all these technologies is to provide customers with high-speed internet. For example, the greatest technology available to users is fiber optic lines, which provide high bandwidth and symmetrical speeds." https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/broadband.asp : "What Is Broadband?Broadband refers to various high-capacity transmission technologies that transmit data, voice, and video across long distances and at high speeds. Commonmediums of transmission include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and radio waves." https://www.howtogeek.com/865706/what-is-wi-fi/ : "Wi-Fi is a networking technology primarily used to connect to the internet. It uses radio waves to transmit data wirelessly and is supported by various modern electronicdevices, including computers and smartphones." Here is my research that cables will be put underground and in the 2045 General Plan 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in the Code. page 149 and Page 150 30.b Develop standards for the siting and construction of wireless telecommunication facilities. They do not explain what "siting of new communications" means. This is what I've found it to mean: https://pulsefibre.co.uk/2023/06/15/when-more-is-less-the-risks-and-downsides-of-overbuild/ : Fibre overbuilds in the 21st century are becoming a widespread problem, with more fibre cable being laid on streets than can ever be utilised by the residents. Not only does this often cause mayhem on the roads, with closures and roadworks slowing traffic, but fibre overbuilds can lead to countless negative effects on the environment and the eventual rise in cost to the consumer and developer. Here we explore fibre overbuild in property developments and share what effect it has on telecommunication infrastructure. Read on to discover the risks, the downsides,and workable solutions to overbuild form the ultra-fast broadband experts at Pulse Fibre. https://primex.com/fiber-optic-internet-going-underground/ : "The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home technology has internet service providers (ISPs) and integrators on the hunt for the mosteffective methods of broadband delivery for many scenarios. The cable will be closer to the surface and more vulnerable to damage. In this case, a more expensive cable that can withstand contact will be required. Cables buried inclay will also need to be of higher quality because the clay can hold stones and push them against the cable. In clay, the trench will also need to be much deeper. In developed areas, the existing infrastructure can be problematic. Digging through concrete sidewalks and roads is costly and disruptive." https://www.prysmian.com/en/insight/sustainability/what-is-a-smart-grid-and-how-does-it-work "What is a smart grid? https://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Smart-Grid.html "Drawbacks Or Disadvantages Of Smart Grid Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid: Continuous communication network should be available. During emergency situation, network congestion or performance are big challenges in smart grid system. Cellular network providers do not provide guaranteed service in abnormal situations such as wind storm, heavy rain and lightening conditions. Some smart meters can be hacked which can be used to increase or decrease the demand for power. It is expensive to install smart meter compare to traditional old electricity meter". A smart grid uses sensors throughout the grid. "Smart sensors are devices that take information from a physical environment and use embedded microprocessors and wireless communication to monitor, examine, and maintain various systems." https://www.fierceelectronics.com/electronics/what-are-smart-sensors https://blushield.com/blogs/education/the-health-safety-and-privacy-concerns-of-smart-meters : "Of course, just like 5G, smart meters are advertised to mainly benefit the end user, but the truth is that the user is ultimately put at risk in several ways, and the biggest benefits are reaped by the power companies and the government." I was wrong in saying it was wifi, and it is a kind of network that uses radio waves, at least this is what I've researched and found. If you find something else please contact me because I am tryin to get the correct information out there. The Hawai'i Planning's 2045 General Plan doesn't explain broadband or a smart grid, from what I read, and they have no information on any health risks research. Here are links that explain the health risks of smart meters because they emit RFR (Radio Frequency Radiation) waves. It's not wifi, and I will apologize to thecommunity because I said it was wifi: https://stopsmartmeters.org/frequently-asked-questions/radio-frequency-radiation-issues/ : "Q: My utility says “smart” meters emit less than my cell phone or WiFi. Is this true? In some cases this is true, and in some cases not true. The figures for RF exposure given by utilities are time-averaged numbers which hide the peak power of the “smart”meter, and disguise the fairly continuous nature of the pulses. “Smart” meters are unlike cell phones or WiFi in their bizarre pattern of sharp spikes of RF. Both of those consumer devices (cell phones and WiFi) can be strong RF emitters. But people are becoming increasingly aware of the potential harm done by chronicexposure to RF radiation-emitting devices and are taking steps to change how they use them. Growing public awareness of RF exposure has led people to choose a wiredinternet connection or use a wired phone at home. But most people are not offered a wired “smart” meter. And you can’t turn it off once it’s installed." https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/environmental-toxins/smart-meters-not-so-smart/#gsc.tab=0 : "Electric “smart” meters were installed in Cindy deBac’s Scottsdale, Arizona, neighborhood in 2012. She recalls the day a new meter was mounted on her home asa sort of digital Pearl Harbor attack. “I’ve never been so sick in my life,” she says. “Nausea, a crushing migraine headache, and painful heart palpitations laid me low rightaway.” https://smartmeterscience.substack.com/p/expert-letter-on-risks-of-smart-meters : “The Federal Communication Commission’s safety standards do not apply to low intensity RFR. There is no safe level of exposure established for RFR. People around the world are suffering from low intensity RFR exposure, being at increased risk of developing both cancer and EHS.” https://ehtrust.org/educate-yourself/health-risks-posed-by-smartmeters/ : “There is no doubt that smart and digital meters create pulsed RF emissions and these emissions, from the smart meters’ antennas and the RF created by the SMPS,both enter the house’s electric system. The result is that the entire house is transformed into a radiating RF antenna.” https://www.emfanalysis.com/smart-meter-health-effects/ : "In nearly every community where wireless smart meters have been installed, a percentage of residents complain of health effects that started after installation. Theresidents often did not know that smart meters had been installed. The most common symptoms are:" https://www.safespaceprotection.com/news-and-info/health-warnings-on-smart-meters/ : "Groups such as, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), an international organization representing physicians who specialize inEnvironmental Medicine issued the following recommendations listed below in their 2012 position paper, “Electromagnetic and Radiofrequency Field Effect onHuman Health. The AAEM calls for: • Immediate caution on smart meter installation due to potentially harmful RF exposure• Accommodation for health considerations regarding EMF and RF exposure, including exposure to wireless smart meter technology• Independent studies to further understand the health effects from EMF and RF exposure• Use of safer technology, including for smart meters, such as hard-wiring, fiber optics, or other non-harmful methods of data transmission• Recognition that electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a growing problem worldwide• Understanding and control of this electrical environmental bombardment for the protection of society• Consideration and independent research regarding the quantum effects of EMF and RF on human health" https://www.sej.org/publications/tipsheet/many-are-claiming-health-problems-caused-smart-meters : "The concepts sound good to many people, but serious flaws are becoming apparent as utilities rapidly install smart meters across the country, according to a risingchorus of critics. They are concerned about privacy (since they say utilities can interpolate many behavioral aspects of building occupants via the detailedreporting of utility use), security (since any utility's system could be hacked), and accuracy (with reports of very inaccurate readings from a small percentage of meters).Each of these issues warrants investigation and coverage. Another major issue is possible human health impacts from smart meters. That is the focus of the remainder of this Tip. SMART METER HEALTH IMPACTS?" https://smartmeterscience.substack.com/ : I sincerely apologize for saying it was Wi-Fi. The General Plan has no research on the health risks of a smart grid and broadband. We all have a right to fully understand thepossible consequences of their plan. Please vote UNFAVORABLE. Rebecca Melendez From:Silvah N Gould Subject:DO NOT Recommend the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:52:28 PM Attachments:1741308456111blob.jpg1741308481368blob.jpg Aloha Commissioners, This Hawaii General Plan 2045 is not Pono for Hawaii. It is based on “United Nations Agenda 21”. This is an Invasive Species and should be eradicated for the islands to thrive and live. While you are skippin-and-a-hoppin about in your Wonderland, somebody in the dark had been scheming and plotting to take ALL the Wonder and the Land! Agenda 21 is the agenda for the 21st century. It has been re-branded in many names. Case in point: Hawaii General Plan 2045! 2045 is a milestone within the 100 year (21st century) plan. Agenda 21 is on a global scale: There's a worldwide movement to control you, believe it or not, by seizing your private property and resources and is taking root at a local level. This is a United Nations agenda to establish global government through radical environmentalism. It's a global plan and is being implemented locally through “Hawaii County General Plan 2045”. Agenda 21 Sustainable Development Plan (or Goals - SDGs) is the action plan to INVENTORY and CONTROL ALL: · Land · Water · Minerals · Plants · Animals · Construction · Means of Production · Education · Energy · Law Enforcement · Healthcare · Information · Means of Transportation · HUMAN BEINGS IN THE WORLD It’s a comprehensive plan of action for total world domination. American Planning Association's - 12-week long communications boot camp: where they re-indoctrinate, re-propagandize planners and they told them that they need to inoculate elected officials against their constituents for speaking the truth about the Agenda 21 SDGs. If people are aware, people will reject regionalizing their government by an outside unelected entity. We ALL live here and have families; we should not be selling our GOD given rights and freedoms to the few that would only want to take control and monetize …and leaving the rest of us outside of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)! If Agenda 21 is a “conspiracy theory”, then why are the UN’s sustainable development goals on the Hawaii website? See website screenshots below - the SDGs are the same! United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) posted online: https://sdgs.un.org/goals Inline image Hawaii (Website) - Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - the same goals as the United Nation's https://planning.hawaii.gov/sustainability/sustainable-development-goals/ Make General Plan 2045 for, of and by the people of the island of Hawaii. Mahalo! From::Megeso-William A: Denis To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca;Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.govCc:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca;Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.govSubject:Vote Unfavorable Recommendation on the Hawaii GP 2045! Date:Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:56:48 PM Aloha Commissioners, The Big Island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believeanyone in our local community helped design this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do mostexperts state there is NO climate danger? The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally meansanyone in the entire world can have input on this plan. It is the shareholders, which arethe people who matter. Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses,and individuals who live on Big Island or have property on Big Island that will bepersonally affected by projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effectivelocal community engagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainabilityof any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests areconsidered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisionsto unelected officials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This ison page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their landuse will be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This willdrastically lower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This isnot pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. Reducing someone's property value isnot okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs tobe further researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientists that say there is noclimate danger. Here is the pdf showing 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 Morning America and the Founder of theWeather Channel has gone on CNN and other media outlets stating, "There is no climatedanger". He explained the reason for this narrative is the investors, in renewableenergy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan moveforward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads,"Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resourcevalues and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection ofnatural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Whose"values" is this plan referring too, because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisitionof lands" does this say they are going to pursing taking people's private property? Againwith "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused on people growingmore food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is neededfor Big Island! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! SteveShropshire, 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 Site Plan: 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 theplan. You can see it in the pdf below: Part One:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Regards, :Megeso-William: Denis :Megeso-William: Denis From:MAHA INC To:WPCtestimony Subject:Comments for the Hawaii County FINAL RECOMMENDED DRAFT GENERAL PLAN 2045 Date:Sunday, March 9, 2025 10:22:50 PM Attachments:2025 HAwaii county General Plan.pdf Aloha Please find attached the written comments from MAHA Community Association on theFINAL RECOMMENDED DRAFT GENERAL PLAN 2045, Hawaii County. Mahalo nui Ainaaloha IoaneMAHA president MAHA: Malama Ka Aina Hana Ka Aina PO Box 1133 | Hilo, Hawaii 96721 The Honorable Zendo Kern, Director County of Hawaii Planning Department Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Director Kern: RE: MAHA Comments on the County of Hawaii 2045 General Plan M.A.H.A is the democratically elected governing body representing the Native Hawaiian beneficiary on the wait-list residing and stewarding the lands of Kingʻs Landing, Keaukaha Tract II, Hawaiian Homestead Lands. My name is ʻĀInaaloha Ioane, I am MAHAʻs President. I was born on the homestead of Kingʻs Landing, and raised in the subsistence village, and I oppose this plan. MAHA is providing testimony in opposition to the proposed new roads shown on page 274 (image 2) of the Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2025. Image 2 shows a proposed road that drives right into the heart of the Kingʻs Landing Kuleana Subsistence Agriculture Homestead. The Kingʻs Landing Settlement Plan, Final EA and Land designations was approved by the Hawaiian Homes Commission on September 16th, 2024. This historical accomplishment is a multigenerational, 45 year long land solution journey that the beneficiaries have endured alongside the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. The beneficiaries of Kingʻs Landing have stewarded the land, and rehabilitated as native Hawaiian on the ʻāina of Kings Landing. For us to see a proposed road that utilizes our quiet community road, and turns our tranquil, pristine Hawaiian Homestead community into a zig zag of County roads, is offensive. Looking at these maps, I conclude that the County's goal is to expose the secluded coastline of Kingʻs Landing for further exploitation of our natural areas, and shows to restrain or regard for the native Hawaiian beneficiary and small communities directly affected. This is an assault on our livelihood, on our community and only seeks to further develop and commercialize our hometown, and not for the benefit of the community. The Kingʻs Landing Settlement Plan and final EA was sent to the County of Hawaii Planning Department for early consultation. No comments of a proposed road were ever MAHA: Malama Ka Aina Hana Ka Aina PO Box 1133 | Hilo, Hawaii 96721 mentioned. I provided early testimony on an earlier version of the General Plan, and seen No mention of new roads! Please understand, These roads cut right into our homestead lots! ʻAʻole! Pursuant to the HHCA §206, Hawaiian home lands are not subject to zoning or other land use controls by the County. In addition, the MOA between the County of Hawaii and DHHL states. III B. The County will consult with DHHL over the appropriate designations of DHHL property in the Hawaii County General Plan LUPAG maps, and shall give due weight and consideration to the comments of DHHL, and to officially adopted DHHL plans. Chairman Kali Watson, explicitly provided testimony in opposition to Bill 107 Hawaii County Council Meeting. 1/19/2023, which proposed a Puna Makai route through the Homestead of Panaewa. The beneficiaries of MAHA Kingʻs Landing, the larger Hawaii Island beneficiaries, as well as the Commissioners of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands have not been notified nor consulted on this matter, and we have not had an opportunity to discuss these long lasting effects as a native Hawaiian community before seeing it discussed on a larger, resident, Island wide scale. We have fought for, and diligently advocated for land settlement of Kingʻs Landing with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands for 45 years. We are the first Hawaiian Homestead community of beneficiaries to work collaboratively with the Planning Department of DHHL in the design, and creation of our Settlement Plan, we put community thought into it. We abided by the laws, Kapu and Kanawai of our kupuna, and we will not abdicate. We will not relinquish our rights to a peaceful, secluded rehabilitation for our beneficiary and the protection of the pristine coastline of Kingʻs Landing. One of the proposed roads, extends the current quiet Nene Street into Keaukahaʻs last secluded County beach Park of Lehia and further into the DHHL ʻāina of Kingʻs Landing, opening up our “back ponds” to even more extreme human pollution and tourism exploitation. ʻAʻole! And further extends right up to my uncle's house on DHHL ʻāina. ʻAʻole! Is the County of Hawaii really proposing to relocate Native Hawaiian beneficiaries again? This is not the 70ʻs, This is not WWII we are not reliving the Hilo airport! MAHA: Malama Ka Aina Hana Ka Aina PO Box 1133 | Hilo, Hawaii 96721 We are not relocating ever again! Another “new road” will bring in an unreasonable amount of traffic into the small, quiet community of Leleiwi, turning our “back roads” where our kupuna walk every morning and our keiki ride their bikes into a major intersection and highway. ʻAʻole. This erroneous attack on Hawaiian Homelands is a disrespectful approach and a land snatch of trust lands. MAHA is in communication with DHHL and Chairman Kali Watson to bring attention to this matter. In looking at the map, I ask myself who is it that these new roads benefit? What is the narrative behind its shape? Hilo has been living life at a comfortable pace. Yes it takes us longer to get out of Keaukaha, but if you are truly asking us, the residents of these affected areas. I would rather sit an additional however many minutes in my car, then to have these additional roads gut into our communities and expose our wahipana. Please do not take us for fools, because when I see these maps, I do not see hope, I do not see a future for my keiki. I see investors, eyeing up my community, and my ʻone hānau! In summary, the proposed County “new roads” running through Kingʻs Landing, will place extensive irreplaceable, irrevocable harm upon the native Hawaiian beneficiaries that currently reside in, and steward the lands as well as the future 74 Hawaiian Homestead Leases of Kingʻs Landing. The “new roads” will place extensive irreplaceable harm upon the pristine quiet coastline of Lehia. Lastly, the “new roads” will place lasting irreplaceable harm upon the quiet coastline community of Leleiwi, exaggerating an overcrowded, over tourism visited coastline. In closing, the Planning Department had a kuleana to reach out to the beneficiaries and to DHHL. The Planning Department had a kuleana to reach out to the affected communities of Panaewa, Keaukaha and Leleiwi. Looking at this map, I see possible solutions that can benefit all of Hawaiʻi County, the beneficiaries of Kingʻs Landing, as well as East Hawaii residents, So let's do a better job as a community and talk about this? With strong opposition and disappointment, MAHA: Malama Ka Aina Hana Ka Aina PO Box 1133 | Hilo, Hawaii 96721 The beneficiaries of the Kingʻs Landing Kuleana Subsistence Agriculture Homestead. MAHA, Malama Ka Aina Hana Ka Aina Community Association representing the Hawaiian beneficiaries residing in Kingʻs Landing. President ʻĀinaaloha Ioane In addition, MAHA supports the written testimony and comments provided by the Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands and its Chairman Kali Watson dated February 28th, 2025. Specifically comment 1) Highlighting the MOU between the County and DHHL that recognizes the unique status of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s land use authority over DHHL lands and the need for current and future County staff, elected officials, and future members of the public continue to have an institutional memory of the relationship between DHHL and the County, and that Incorporating a reference to this document in the 2045 County General Plan Update will better guarantee that this institutional memory is perpetuated in future generations. Comment 2) DHHL requests that its 2022 DHHL General Plan Update be referenced and / or included in the 2045 County General Plan. Comment 3) That their be specific policies that articulate that DHHL Plans will be the authority on land use that will guide County policy regarding land uses and projects surrounding DHHL lands. Comment 5. The County should not be articulating proposed roads through Hawaiian Home Lands in its General Plan without first consulting with DHHL and its Beneficiaries. Comment 4) strongly encouraging the County to begin its process to develop a County Community Development Plan (CDP) for the South Hilo District. Because They serve to provide a forum for community input to reflect the character of each community. From:cindy Freitas To:WPCtestimony Subject:testimony for KCDP Date:Sunday, March 9, 2025 5:51:37 PM Attachments:Testimony for KCDP March 9, 2025.docx March 9, 2025 County of Hawaii Kona c Community Development Plan (KCDP) RE:KCD Plan for 2025 He Mele komo a he mele aloha no na kupuna o ke au i hala Aloha mai kakou. Aloha, My name is Cindy Freitas and I’m a Native Hawaiian descended of the native inhabitants of Hawai’i prior to 1778 and born and raised in Hawai’i. I am also a practitioner who still practice the cultural traditional customary practices that was instill in me by my grandparents at a young age from mauka (MOUNTAIN TO SEA) to makai in many areas. I OPPOSE KCDP for the following reasons as follows: Legend: ● Black: Directly out of General Plan ● Red: Edit ● Yellow Highlighted is requesting text to be Removed ● Pink Highlighted is a Concern/Comments Page: 27 Implementation Strategies “Zoning & Land Use Regulations Update regulations to align with the goals of the General Plan.” Please change to: “Update regulations” to “align with the goals of local Communities and the General Plan.” “Public-Private Partnerships Collaborate with private entities and homeowners to achieve mutual development and conservation objectives.” CONCERN: The word “Homeowner” is not written anywhere in the entire plan. That is VERY concerning. Why are you leaving homeowners out of the general plan that will affect them and their future generations? Please include “homeowner” wherever “stakeholder” is and where suggested in this document. Also, please be clear about who these private entities are that you want to collaborate with so this is more transparent. “Community Engagement Continuously engage residents and stakeholders in the decision- making process.” CONCERN: The community deserves to know who “Stakeholders” are and EXACTLY what they have stake in. Please define. Page: 28 1.1 The purposes of the General Plan are to: ● Provide the framework for regulatory decisions, capital improvement priorities, acquisition strategies, and other pertinent government programs within the County organization and coordinated with State and Federal programs. This sounds like you want to take people’s property through acquisition and regulate the heck out of locals. Please change to the following: Provide framework that supports local farmers and communities without further regulations, capital improvement priorities, and other pertinent local and government programs within the County organization and coordinate with State and Federal programs to support thriving communities. ● “Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole.” Please change to the following: ““Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole without violating personal freedoms, the Constitution or further regulating the public.” ● “Effect political and technical coordination in community improvement and development.” CONCERN: This sounds like you will bring politics into community living. That is not pono. Please change to: “Effect strategies that support community improvements and development for locals.” “The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions, elected officials, landowners, developers, and citizens to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi.” Please change to: The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions, elected officials, landowners, homeowners, developers, and locals to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawaiʻi. Please add: (a) The general plan shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources without violating personal rights and freedoms, and supporting local communities to prosper, and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites, while still giving access to the public; the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county (Remove) (b) The council shall enact zoning, subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to support thriving communities, farmers and homeowners. The way it is currently written describes zoning people out of their homes with more regulations and fines. Page 29: (d) Amendments to the general plan may be initiated by the council or the planning director giving adequate notice to the public for needed testimony. Page 32: CONCERN WITH THE THREE CIRCLE “SUSTAINABILITY” DIAGRAM: The words: Sustainability and Equity are part of a political woke vocabulary and should not be in the Hawaii General Plan. Also, “Social and Culture Equity” should be removed. It is not the responsibility of the planning department to control the behavior of people. That again is a “woke” agenda. Nor does this language reflect a thriving community. “Environmental Protection” gives the impression of more regulations and a reduction of people’s rights. Please remove it. Instead call it: INNOVATION with these 3 circles: Economic Alternatives, Environmental Support, Thriving Communities The goal of the planning department should be to create an environment of prosperity and not one of over regulation and constraints on locals. We can do those through new innovations and not sustainability. Sustainability moves Big Island backwards not forward! 1.4 Innovation Principles and Practices CONCERN: Big Island needs to move toward free energy, which is available and not more regulations on what we have. Change: Integrating innovation into the General Plan is crucial for fostering long-term resilience and thriving communities. Change: “This includes increasing the effectiveness of new technologies to support local communities, improving coordination among various agencies and levels of government, and finding new and innovative ways to support our natural and cultural resources. for better development that supports a thriving environment, economic alternatives (sharing without taxes, trading without regulation), and flourishing communities. The General Plan recognizes this need achieving a sustainable future. By embedding sustainability principles into its core, this Plan sets forth a cohesive and forward- thinking strategy that addresses key challenges and anticipates future needs.” Please remove what is highlighted! and aligns with the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan1, which sets a strategic framework for CONCERN: By using the word “Sustainable” you are not supporting Hawaii to move forward. You are creating more control of the environment, and communities. That is not Pono and violates the HS [§5-7.5] "Aloha Spirit": "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. If the planning department creates a general plan that adds more regulations and constraints on locals, they violate the Aloha Spirit law. The Hawaiʻi 2050 Innovation Plan “created the State’s first definition of sustainability” (remove): A Hawaiʻi that achieves the following: 1. Respects the culture, character, beauty, and history of our state’s island communities; 2. Support a thriving community both socially and economically as we support our environment to heal and prosper; and 3. Meets the needs of the present without violating freedoms or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Page 33: In the diagram: “Regulatory Measures” ● County Code ● Administrative Rules ● Permits This shows that this general plan will increase restrictions and fees on farmers and other locals. This is not Pono. The plan should reflect innovation not constraints against the population. Please change to CHANGE TO: “Innovation Practices” ● Implement new resources ● Administration support ● Economic Alternatives Remove “permits”. Stop trying to permit the population to death! CURRENTLY: The Plan also incorporates guidelines to serve as strategic directions and standards to inform decisions regarding topics such as land use, infrastructure, housing, and resource management. These guidelines help to ensure consistency in planning and implementation, promoting sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. (This is a complete overreach of the government. You cannot tell people what to do with their property! It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to ensure people’s well-being! This should be revised to support environment, innovations, and thriving communities.) • Vision: The ability to plan for the future with creativity and innovation in support of thriving communities. • Goal: To see Hawaii Island become self-sustaining as communities and the environment prosper • Objective: Measurable, achievable, and time-bound milestones toward achieving a goal. • Guideline: A stated course of action that shall take precedence when addressing areas of concern and should be followed, unless a determination is made that it is not the most desirable in a particular case; thus, a guideline may be deviated from without penalty or sanction as long2 as it supports thriving communities, economic alternatives and supporting the environment. Page 34 Regulatory Implementing Actions (Locals DO NOT need more regulations and hoops to jump through. That will not support thriving communities.) Regulatory implementing actions are one of two types of approaches used in the General Plan to pursue the vision, goals, and objectives. Regulatory actions are controlling in that they define boundaries, development parameters, and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. The three regulatory implementing actions in the Plan include: Please change the last paragraph to: Work with local communities to pursue the vision, goals, and objectives. Find fair and supportive directions to define boundaries, development parameters, and measures intended to implement goals or objectives. Three actions in the Plan include: ● General Plan Land Use Map: A map that graphically delineates the areas of intended future land use types that support thriving communities and environmental support and do not hinder personal freedoms. ● Policy: A general rule for action focused on a specific issue, derived from more general goals3 that also support thriving communities and supporting the environment. • Standard: A supportive measure that defines the meaning, quality, or quantity of a policy by providing a way to measure its attainment. In the General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or adopted through innovations and are flexible to support thriving communities. “because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the County Charter, Section 3-15.” Remove! The word “conform” is concerning. We are not in Communist China. Please revise to support thriving communities. Non-regulatory implementing actions typically involve community engagement, education and outreach, partnership development, and resource allocation to encourage support from the community (remove “compliance") and proactive efforts. This approach allows for flexibility and innovation in achieving the Plan’s vision. Throughout the General Plan, the objectives and policies are followed by a set of implementing actions. There are three types: Add: Community Support: Taking testimony and revisions from the community seriously and implementing where possible. Page 35: 1.6 Grounded Vision and Goals As we navigate our future, maintaining a balance between economic alternatives, environmental support, and thriving communities is paramount. By integrating those established values and principles, the General Plan ensures continuity and reflects the collective vision of Hawaiʻi Island residents, guiding new innovation developments while honoring our unique cultural and environmental heritage. The four primary chapters of the Plan encompass the innovation pillars of environment, community, and economy, as outlined in the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act Goals. General Plan Vision Statement Hawaiʻi Island is an exemplary leader with healthy and resilient communities that are built by innovative developments, a thriving and diversified local economy, and collaborative biocultural stewardship with locals. General Plan Chapter Goal Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed, preserved, and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment and use innovative techniques if and when appropriate to support future growth. Addressing Climate Change for Island-Wide Health CONCERN: Please realize there is no climate change emergency. 1944 credentialed scientists from around the world have signed a “No Climate Change Emergency Declaration”. You can find it here: https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/ Humans have less than 1% affect on climate. Please do your own research on this. Ensure the science is followed and investigate credentialed scientists and the Milankovitch cycles of which both have shown the earth is cooling. Since humans have less than 1% impact on climate, start supporting ways that we can maintain a healthy island by incorporating policies, programs, infrastructure, and decision-making that support the environment and thriving communities. And NOT policies that take away more freedoms and regulate locals to death! Hawaii Island will not believe in false narratives with political agendas. Innovative Development & Thriving We strategically apply innovative land use Communities It is NOT the responsibility of the planning department to manage the health and safety of communities. That is an overreach of the government! strategies incorporating indigenous and contemporary knowledge and place-based practices to direct and manage growth for thriving communities. Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Our communities are adequately served by innovation and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Our communities are thriving and supported and have access to integrative health, education, and social services to support a high quality of life for all residents. Residents have access to adequate (change to: comfortable) and affordable housing to meet the needs of the population and provide equitable (remove) opportunities for household flexibility and mobility. We employ integrated systems that are efficient, equitable (remove), fair, and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Thriving, Diversified, Competitive with Economic Alternatives Our economy is competitive, innovative, and supportive. It helps our communities thrive and increases local economic opportunities. Agriculture is a robust sector that supports local farmers and includes a broad range of agricultural-based businesses that highlight value, organic and good health practices. A high quality of life for locals is maintained when a supportive visitor industry balances economic growth with natural and cultural responsibility. Page: 38 2.1 Introduction Collaborative biocultural (remove) stewardship is an approach to innovation development that emphasizes collaboration and partnership building among stakeholders (Who are they and what do they have stake in?), and homeowners and integrates natural and cultural resource management strategies to promote thriving communities. conservation, sustainability, and resilience (remove). Cooperative efforts aimed at achieving innovative development sustainable management (remove) of ecological systems are crucial for protecting our natural and built environments. Land use planning and management should be holistic, inclusive (remove), and adaptive to reflect thriving communities values, knowledge, and aspirations (remove). The General Plan provides key strategies to achieve biocultural (remove) supportive stewardship, including community engagement, partnership building, collaborative decision-making, and collective action. Environmental and social systems are complex and dynamic. These systems will require adaptive management and continuous learning as we navigate the future. The policies presented in this section seek to foster partnerships that are based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values. The community engagement process must be inclusive to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge systems into conservation and development strategies. Following such practices can promote the co-creation of knowledge, the sharing of resources, and the empowerment of communities. By leveraging the strengths and resources of different stakeholders REMOVE (Who are they and what do they have stake in?), and homeowners we can enhance the capacity of communities to manage natural and cultural resources sustainably (remove). We can also facilitate the creation of new networks and alliances, promoting social cohesion and resilience. Ultimately, the collaborative biocultural stewardship approach can foster a more integrated, inclusive, and equitable approach to conservation and development that reflects the aspirations and needs of local communities. (REMOVE THIS IS LANGUAGE IT IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FREEDOMS INCREASE GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDER OVERREACH AND BRING IN MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL) CHANGE TO: We can also facilitate the creation of new innovative programs that support and reflect the aspirations of thriving local communities. This fundamental element of the Plan strives to cultivate a sense of place and connection to the environment and recognizes that the management of natural and cultural resources requires the participation of local communities, government, homeowners and other agencies diverse actors, including communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities. By promoting collaborative decision-making and collective action, we can enhance the effectiveness, equity, and legitimacy of conservation and development and innovative policies. By promoting community-based conservation and restoration strategies, we can enhance ecological integrity, promote biodiversity, and preserve cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.(Redundant Remove) Biocultural stewardship acknowledges the role of cultural diversity in shaping environmental perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors (Remove. People do not want to be manipulated). [It recognizes that cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to maintaining ecosystem services and biological diversity.] (remove) Change to: Cultural practices arising from traditional ecological knowledge are integral to supporting the growth of thriving communities that wish to improve their environment. Page 39: Table 1: Biocultural (change to Land) Stewardship Challenges The word “Bioculture” is reflective of both biological and cultural factors that affect human behavior. Locals do not want the planning department to affect our behavior. Your job is to support the land, environment, and thriving communities. Native Habitat • Hawaiʻi has been known as the extinction capital of the world. • Climate change and sea level rise pose threats to existing habitats for native flora and fauna. REMOVE (Again, according to 1944 credential scientists from around the world, there is no climate danger. This is a narrative created by the “stakeholders” to move their agenda forward. https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/) Has the water level risen in any of the towns in Hawaii? • Longer and/or more severe weather and climate change may increase the likelihood of wildfires. REMOVE (The Maui fire was NOT normal. A fire where trees do not burn but glass is melted out of cars, where animals and humans are left recognizable, and where plastic doesn’t burn or even melt is not normal. That was an attack and murder of our Lahaina ohana. That is why only 20 building permits have been issued after a year! AND why Lahahina is STILL locked down!) • Invasive species continue to pose a threat to native and endemic species as well economic, environmental, and human health. (Reminder: It is not the responsibility of the planning department to protect people’s health.) • The carrying capacity of our resources is not comprehensively modeled and monitored. (Modeled and monitored should be for government agencies.) • The County lacks specific regulations for wetlands, riparian ecosystems, or other valuable habitats. Stewardship • The County has a limited budget for its large-scale geographic responsibility for the protection of public trust natural and cultural resources. (Revise. This doesn’t make sense. What are you trying to say? What responsibility are you talking about? What does the protection of public trust mean?) • Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of unique biomes and ecosystems. • The difference between traditional and modern practices along with varying mauka to makai ownership makes it difficult to comprehensively steward natural resources. Page 40 Native Habitat The County can collaborate with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create models for monitoring the carrying capacity of natural resources that will support farmers and thriving communities. • Ongoing conservation work can continue to evolve from species-specific conservation (e.g., Albizia eradication) to focus on ecosystem restoration across multiple land ownership to protect Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity and support local farms. • Maintaining healthy, native-dominant forests offers immense savings of land biocultural (Remove) and water resources that might otherwise be lost to the impacts of climate change (Remove) and invasive species. • Conservation lands hold significant value in the water resources they represent. • Incentivizing and developing regenerative land uses without further regulations or fines, such as agroforestry, can provide sustainable opportunities to ecosystems and communities. • Hawaiʻi can become a statewide adaptation and resiliency leader by focusing on its unique strengths and diversity to evolve with changing realities. • Urban forestry can be prioritized or incentivized in the County Code. This means more regulations and possible fines. No thank you! Change to: Support the further growth of current urban forestry Watersheds ● Establish more place-based watershed partnerships to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of those water systems and protect our island’s watersheds and local farms. • Strengthen the integration of Hawaiian biocultural remove resource management and traditional ecological knowledge across County government to support local farms. • Practice an integrated approach to ecosystem-based collaborative management that considers the entire ecosystem and local communities. • Watershed protection and management require collaboration and coordination across all levels of government and must include effective community engagement. Revise to: Support Watershed and management coordination which integrates local communities. Stewardship ● Hawaiʻi Island has a large variation of its unique natural biomes and ecosystems. ● Ongoing interagency coordination, including consultation with place-based land stewards,cultural and historical advisory groups, land and homeowners, and other stakeholders being transparent of what they hold stake in. • The County can take a more proactive role in exercising its protective public trust role for natural and cultural resources. This sounds like government overreach. Again, the planning department is NOT responsible for protecting the public. That is a byproduct of what you do but it is NOT the main part of your job! Revise to: The County can take a more proactive role in supporting thriving communities and their natural and cultural resources. • Maintain and increase involvement with existing partnerships and identify new partners that help promote and enhance biocultural (remove) Land stewardship. • Collaborate to complete additional EPA-approved watershed plans to increase eligibility for future conservation funding. Page 41 2.2 Biocultural Stewardship Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions Objective 1 Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats. Policies 1.4 Maintain the shoreline for recreational, cultural, educational, and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of nature, respectful of resources, and is of the maximum benefit to the general public. 1.8 Prioritize native landscaping for all County projects while allowing communities to enjoy it at their leisure. 1.11 Encourage and incentivize green belts, tree plantings, and landscape plans and designs in urban areas without further regulations or fines. 1.13 Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource and values without further regulations or fines. and, when appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources (Remove! This is a 110% overreach of the government.) 1.14 Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other stakeholders (What do they have a stake in? Who are they?) to: Page 42: a) Implement the Hawai‘i State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) (What is this plan? Where can it be found?) b) Better understand and model carrying capacities of the island’s habitats and resources c) Improve the inventory of forested lands and associated ecosystem services d) Encourage the continued identification and inclusion of unique wildlife habitat areas of Native Hawaiian habitat within the Natural Area Reserve System e) Anticipate future habitat migration, especially wetlands and coastal ecosystems f) Prioritize quantitative wetland assessment to identify wetlands g) Expand native and/or endemic forest cover h) Improve enforcement for illegal activities that harm or degrade endemic habitats (Who is defining endemic habitats and how is it defined? I MUST be defined by Hawaii citizen commission and not anyone outside Hawaii. Mainland people should NOT be able to define this.) 1.18 Public landscaping and irrigation shall be designed to maximize water use efficiency and native plants. Actions 1.b Review tree survey requirements and amend the Code to incorporate as part of site planning for public use. 1.h Develop buffer policies to protect native forests, wildlife, rivers, streams, coastal waters, and other native habitats without. This is too vague. What policies are you considering and will that come with penalties? If so, remove this. Page 43 1.i Create incentives for landowners to retain and re-establish forest cover in upland watershed areas with an emphasis on native forest species without further regulations or fines. 1.k Amend the landscape standards in Rule or Code (Remove) to require the use of native plants for screening or landscaping. Change to: Support local education on the importance of using native plants for screening or landscaping. 1.l Amend the Code to incentivize (Remove) Replace with Support local education on the importance of the establishment of threatened and endangered endemic plant species within their habitable ranges during development approvals. 1.m Review the Code and consider amendments to encourage site clustering of development in order to avoid critical environmental areas and assets. REMOVE This is more unneeded regulations. This is BIG Island. People do not need to be ontop of each other. You’re promoting too many regulations. 1.n Develop and establish Open Space Network Overlay on current unoccupied territory for natural landscape features, such as beaches and dunes, forests, streams, floodplains, wetlands, estuaries, or recharge areas that have the inherent capacity to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the impacts of climate change (Remove) 1.q Develop comprehensive programs and policies and provide resources for enhancing urban forestry canopy cover in unoccupied areas and without further regulations or fines for local farmers. 1.u Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders and local farmers to develop a program for the identification and protection of plant species of special status, including plants significant for cultural practitioners. Page 44: 2.7 Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, and homeowners, and other stakeholders (Remove. Who are these people and what do they have stake in?) to: ○ a) Implement a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies priority watershed areas for habitat restoration and enhancement without further regulations or fines on locals. ○ b) Review and designate forest, river corridors, and watershed areas into the conservation district during State land use boundary comprehensive reviews. ○ c) Monitor nearshore water quality and impacts to reefs and marine environments and address land-based sources of impacts. ○ d) Protect and restore wetlands and riparian corridors to ensure more pristine water quality, decrease erosion, and increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration, nutrient/pollutant uptake, soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement, and cultural/community connections without further regulations or fines on locals.. ○ e) Develop reasonable standards to improve stream and coastal water quality monitoring and encourage local communities to develop such projects without further regulations or fines on locals. Page 45 Objective 3 Increase direct community restoration and collaborative efforts to conserve and nourish the island’s biocultural resources. Policies 3.1 Encourage an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaiʻi’s resources by protecting, preserving, and conserving critical and significant natural resources without further fines and regulation on the population. Pg 47 Actions 4.b Change from: Reassess Certified Local Government status to ensure the support of farmers and homeowners and maximize funding opportunities for self-supporting communities. 4.h Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, other local communities, and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in) to develop design guidelines for designated communities containing significant historic buildings, sites, or landscapes. 4.i Assess and prioritize County-owned lands for historic site restoration in collaboration with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, other local communities, and other stakeholders (remove or let us know what they have stake in). Page 48 Objective 5 Protect, restore, and enhance our communities’ unique scenic character. Policies 5.c Develop a process for reviewing and revising guidelines for designating Natural Beauty Sites without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. 5.d Establish a Scenic Resources Protection Program to identify, inventory, and protect areas of significant beauty. The program could include recommendations from the Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project (2016) without invasion of current resident areas or local farms. Page 56 3.1 Introduction The climate change section of the General Plan is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated climate mitigation and adaptation efforts on Hawaiʻi Island. This element provides a high-level policy framework, building on the scientific knowledge and government-level strategies and actions developed in the Integrated Action Plan (ICAP) for the island of Hawaiʻi. This is VERY Concerning! As stated earlier the World Climate Declaration was signed currently by 1,944 scientists stating there is no climate danger. Here is what a few more scientists have to say. On the Boston Globe’s YouTube channel, on May 14, 2010, MIT Professor of Meteorology Richard Lindzen shared the following: “If one asks, “Is the temperature increasing or decreasing?” it's always doing one or the other. I have no concern about that. By asking people to worry about whether it's going up or down, you're immediately establishing dishonesty. The Earth is always changing. Climate change is nothing you have to prove. It always is happening. It always has happened. So, to make that into something alarming seems a little bit weird to me1.” 1 “Global warming: why you should not worry,” by the Boston Globe, May 14, 2010. Dr. David Dilley, a former Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, United States Air Force, Senior Research Meteorologist, and Climatologist at Global Weather Oscillations Inc., has 50 years’ experience in meteorology and climatology. He's also a working partner in the International Hurricane Protection Association. This is what he has to say about global warming: “Global warming begins in the Arctic and Antarctic. It has about a 230-year cycle. When it comes back, it takes about 20 years for it to hit its peak. It started in the 1990s and hit its peak this past year. With global warming, the Antarctic and higher regions warm up. As it warms up, you have less cold air available to filter south into the middle latitudes, and it warms the middle latitudes. That is global warming2.” Dilley explained that the same thing happens with global cooling but in reverse, as the temperature increases and decreases in cycles. Dilley then shared that 2022 was the coldest spring and summer on record, with the winter of 2021 being the coldest winter on record. He also shared that in April 2023, five months before the Lahaina Fire, the Earth was running low-to-normal temperatures, and the Arctic was actually cooling down. Dilley is also an expert of the “Milankovitch Cycle,” which illustrates the rotation of the Earth, sun, and the moon, and their effects on global warming. According to Dilley, every 120,000 years, the Earth comes closest to the sun. Then, about 68,000 years later, it's the furthest approach from the sun. He says that our closest approach was 8,000 years ago. Dilley states, “We were warmer 6,000 to 8,000 years ago than we are today. The reason was that we were the closest approach to the sun and we had just come out of an Ice Age. We're 8,000 years off the peak now, and so we're actually cooling down.” John Coleman, also an expert on the weather, shares the same thoughts. Coleman was the original weatherman on Good Morning America in the 1970s. He founded The Weather Channel in the 1980s. In 1982, he was voted “Meteorologist of the Year” by the American Meteorology Society. With regards to the Arctic and sea levels, Coleman states: “They tell us that we're melting the polar ice caps. The Antarctic polar ice cap is at an all-time high, and the Arctic ice cap is increasing again after diminishing. They tell us that we're flooding the shorelines. Do you live on the coast? How much has the water come up in your lifetime? They manufactured data to make it look like we're increasing the water level of the oceans, but we’re not3.” Professor Richard Lindzen states: https://youtu.be/pwvVephTIHU?si=XoxAcPc51JNOXdeR 2 “Signals - Global Cooling Cycle Beginning - Global Warming Ending -Professor David Dilley,” by David Dilley GlobalWeatherCycles, May 10, 2023. https://youtu.be/sa-_tlITPnM?si=67zNptmdOoWQzWqF 3 “John Coleman's case against significant man-made global warming,” by Kusi News, June 24, 2013. https://youtu.be/K56fms2VZTc?si=Cn-ApS8z2Y_kiI76 “At any given place, traditionally, sea level is measured by what are called tide gauges: a stick in the water, basically. Two things that change are what a tide gauge shows: the land moving up and down and the sea moving up and down. In most places, it's the land that has the biggest effect, and so you don't have a good measure of sea level rise141.” Let’s review the danger of water rising and engulfing coastline towns. Is there one city or town on the shoreline that is in danger of being underwater? Is Venice, a town that lives at sea level, in danger of being lost to the sea? Have home insurance companies stopped giving insurance policies to homeowners who live on the coastline because they’ll soon be underwater? The answer would be no! On August 21, 2020, NASA published an article titled “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900.” It reads: “Sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 20184.” That means the sea level has risen a little over 7.4 inches in the last 118 years! Does that show the world is in danger of being engulfed by water? No. It shows that it will be a very, very, very long time before humans are in danger. Does that mean documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth” are telling lies? An article was published in the Seattle Times on October 12, 2007, titled “British judge ruled the Oscar-winning film on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth," contains "nine errors5."” Here is the list of inaccuracies found in Court taken from the “Friends Of Science” website6. The inaccuracies in the documentary include: 1. The film claims that melting snow s on Mount Kilimanjaro evidence global warming. The Government’s expert was forced to concede that this is not correct. 2. The film suggests that evidence from ice cores proves that rising CO2 levels cause temperature increases over 650,000 years. The Court found that the film was misleading: over that period, the rises in CO2 lagged behind the temperature rises by 800-2,000 years. 4 “NASA-led Study Reveals the Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900,” by Ian J. O'Neill / Jane J. Lee, August 21, 2020. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3012/nasa-led-study-reveals-the-causes-of-sea-level-rise-since-1900/ 5“Truth is, Gore film has 9 errors, British judge rules,” by Mary Jordan, Oct 12, 2007. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/truth-is-gore-film-has-9-errors-british-judge-rules/ 6 “Inaccuracies in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth - A Ruling of the British High Court” https://friendsofscience.org/assets/documents/FOS%20Essay/British_High_Court_Ruling_on_An_Inconvenient_Tru th.html 3. The film uses emotive images of Hurricane Katrina and suggests that this has been caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that it was “not possible” to attribute one-off events to global warming. 4. The film shows the drying up of Lake Chad and claims that this was caused by global warming. The Government’s expert had to accept that this was not the case. 5. The film claims that a study showed that polar bears had drowned due to disappearing arctic ice. It turned out that Mr. Gore had misread the study: in fact, four polar bears drowned, and this was because of a particularly violent storm. 6. The film threatens that global warming could stop the Gulf Stream, throwing Europe into an ice age. The Claimant’s evidence was that this was a scientific impossibility. 7. The film blames global warming for species losses, including coral reef bleaching. The Government could not find any evidence to support this claim. 8. The film suggests that sea levels could rise by 7 meters, causing the displacement of millions of people. In fact, the evidence is that sea levels are expected to rise by about 40 centimeters over the next 100 years and there is no such threat of massive migration. 9. The film claims that rising sea levels has caused the evacuation of certain Pacific islands to New Zealand. The Government was unable to substantiate this, and the Court observed that this appears to be a false claim. Also, the Court's interim ruling included the following: 1. The film suggests that the Greenland ice covering could melt, causing sea levels to rise dangerously. The evidence is that Greenland will not melt for a millennia. 2. The film suggests that the Antarctic ice covering is melting; the evidence was that it is, in fact, increasing. High Court Judge Michael Burton stated: “Former Vice President Al Gore, the documentary’s moderator, makes nine statements in the film that are not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus. For instance, Gore’s script implies that Greenland or West Antarctica might melt soon, creating a sea-level rise of up to 20 feet that would cause devastation from San Francisco to the Netherlands to Bangladesh139.” The judge called this “distinctly alarmist” and said the consensus view is that if Greenland melted, it would release this amount of water “but only after, and over, a millennia.” The climate change narrative will destroy people’s freedom and add more regulations, fines and fees. Do not allow this government narrative to continue on the Big Island. The people do NOT want more laws, regulations, and fines based on a false narrative that completely changes community infrastructures from self-reliant to “sustainable” living, with “stakeholders” carrying the purse strings and the power. That is NOT Pono! Gregg Braden is a geologist, five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator, and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy, and human potential, had this to say about the dangers of carbon on the planet: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a poison is a false narrative to begin with. We are carbon-based beings. By demonizing carbon dioxide and carbon life, we’re actually demonizing ourselves7.” Science 101 shows us that plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. If plants die due to lack of carbon dioxide, so do humans for lack of oxygen. During the Cretaceous Period, which began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago, we had a lot more carbon than we do today - tons more! This was the time of the dinosaurs, and everything was huge! Plants were much larger than they are now. The sea levels were also a lot higher during the Cretaceous Period. Was that due to more carbon dioxide? Not according to an article at Britannica.com written by Thor Arthur Hansen, Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleoecology, and Evolution at Western Washington University, U.S., and Carl Fred Koch, Professor of Geological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. It was fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and last updated on Feb 7, 2024. The article said that sea level was higher primarily because the water in the ocean basins was displaced by the enlargement of mid-oceanic ridges8. It was not due to carbon! It was due to the Earth's mantle. On January 11, 2023, in an episode titled “Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” posted on geologist and scientist Gregg Braden’s YouTube channel, John L. Petersen of the Arlington Institute stated: “If you could look at the ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland, you would see that the temperature of the Earth increases or decreases around 800 years before the change in carbon dioxide. That means carbon dioxide does not drive the change; it is the response to the temperature change9.” In the same interview, Braden stated: 7 “Gregg Braden - Why “THE POWERS THAT BE” are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden Official, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=BviOKcdznXx6tgSQ 8 “Cretaceous Period,” by Carl Fre Koch, Thor Arthur Hansen, https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period 9 “Why ‘THE POWERS THAT BE’ are So Desperate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide on OUR Planet?” by Gregg Braden, January 11, 2023. https://youtu.be/7vJ-Qefos8A?si=cz2jDjrSmJaITiDx “We’re being led to believe that carbon levels of C02 have never been higher; that the Earth is going to be destroyed if they are higher; and that C02 is the driving temperature, both of which are not true147.” Gregg showed a graph indicating that during the Cretaceous Period, carbon dioxide levels were over three times higher than they are today. Carbon dioxide levels were between 800-1,000 parts per million. During this period, there was an extreme greening of the Earth. Plants and life thrived! According to Braden: “If CO2 drops below 184 parts per million, that seems to be the threshold where we (humans) are in trouble! If CO2 drops below those levels, we are actually cutting off the very life-force that is providing oxygen on this planet.” Is the entire CO2 narrative intended to increase the bankroll of the “stakeholders” around the world invested in renewable energy with no regard for human life? Stakeholders who’ve invested in progressive and “sustainable energy" have a lot to gain in their pocketbooks by populations living in fear of climate change and believing they will be “saving” the Earth by going along with renewable energy and electric vehicles. They’ll also be giving up a lot of their freedoms in doing so. Page 59 Transportation The General Plan further discusses strategies for decreasing vehicle reliance and (Remove) improving public Transportation Access and Mobility. You have no right to hinder people’s right to travel. Please take ANYTHING out that references decreasing people’s use of their vehicle! The County can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power public facilities and infrastructure, reducing VMT, (REMOVE). YOU CANNOT LIMIT PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRAVEL. THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION AND IS BEYOND YOUR JURISDICTION Page 61 The General Plan expands on opportunities for climate-conscious land development in the Land Use section without violating people’s rights, over regulating or increasing fines. Page 63 The General Plan further expands on strategies to increase resilience in the Transportation Access and Mobility, Public Utilities, and Public Facilities and Services sections without violating the Constitution, or over regulating farmers and homeowners. The General Plan expands on renewable energy in the Public Utilities section with safety studies prior to installation, and without increasing costs to the public. Page 66 Transportation • Promoting the use of electric vehicles through expanding charging infrastructure and educating the public on the safety studies done for the use of these vehicles from third parties. Renewable Energy • Increasing the use of green technology (including third party safety studies) will increase the energy independence of individuals and businesses on the island. • Supporting renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), and geothermal (Remove. This practice is not safe for an island with active volcanoes!) Land Use & the Built Environment • Implementing smart growth strategies, without violating people’s right to travel can reduce urban sprawl and create more walkable communities. • Developing a County building code that balances health and safety, affordability, and carbon footprint (REMOVE! This is more regulations and fines. NOT Pono! It is NOT your responsibility to focus on people’s health. That is for each individual! This is an overreach! • Encouraging the construction of energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings being sure to prove any additional technology is safe for the public.. • Promoting regenerative agriculture practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration while not further regulating farms or increasing fines. • Greening urban areas increases the availability of cool areas for residents to live and recreate. • Integrating energy savings and waste management, without more regulations and fines on the population, provides an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in new development. Conservation • Protecting reefs and marine ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, without hindering public use. • Implementing a One Water strategy and other water-saving technologies and practices can reduce the energy required for water treatment and distribution. This is NOT a good idea. If this goes down, where will people get their water? Remove or revise. • Conserving natural habitats without hindering public use to preserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change. • Efforts to expand renewable energy, with third party safety studies and without hindering public use, can consider the preservation of unique and diverse ecosystems, avoiding negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats. Additional Measures • Improving public engagement about climate change and encouraging sustainable practices. (Remove and educate yourself on the fact that scientists from around the world have stated there is no climate danger.) • Implementing policies and regulations that support climate mitigation efforts, without further regulations or fines on locals. (Please educate yourself) • Supporting research into new technologies and approaches for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience and include third party safety studies while ensuring no further cost to the public. Page 67 Water Resources • Management Promoting a One Water strategy can create cross-agency collaboration to identify and address overlapping challenges in adapting to sea level rise and building more resiliency into infrastructure across water, wastewater and stormwater sectors. How does this promote collaboration? This seems like a monopoly. Agriculture & • Food Security Encouraging the cultivation of climate-resilient and diversified crops to enhance food security without further regulations and fines. Infrastructure & Urban Planning Retrofitting or relocating bridges and roads provides an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions by reducing miles traveled. (REMOVE) THIS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION. YOU CANNOT DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL. ALSO, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO “RELOCATE” LOCAL BRIDGES. THIS SHOULD BE REMOVED! ● Implement zoning and land use planning policies that consider climate risks and promote sustainable development after a full investigation of the climate change narrative is examined. (Do not further regulate and fine people without fully investigating the climate change narrative and proving that any additional technology is safe for the human life.) Social Equity ● Engage communities in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that adaptation measures are socially inclusive (Remove. This is woke language.) and culturally appropriate. ● Increasing equitable resilience to climate hazards will benefit historically marginalized and frontline Engage communities (What does this mean?) and those that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Energy & • Transportation ● Invest in renewable energy sources that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy resilience. ● Promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation that are proven safe and affordable to the public to reduce overall energy consumption and without increasing regulations or fines Biodiversity & Ecosystems ● Managed retreat strategies and new shoreline setback regulations would expand open space along the shoreline to support coastal ecosystems such as anchialine pools without hindering public access. ● Supporting conservation programs that are proven safe for the people and the environment can help protect native species and habitats from climate change impacts without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. ● Strengthening measures to control and eradicate invasive species can help protect local ecosystems. ● Enhance habitat connectivity to allow species to migrate in response to changing environmental conditions without hindering public access and without increasing regulations and fines. Education & Capacity Building ● Build capacity for local government agencies by providing training and resources that improve their ability to plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives without increasing regulations and fines. ● Collaborate and coordinate with the County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER). This is woke language and should be removed. ● Support research and monitoring efforts to better understand climate impacts and the effectiveness of adaptation measures. (Please educate yourself on this false narrative) ● Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and adaptation strategies. REMOVE (This is a FALSE narrative that you would be perpetuating.) Page 68 3.2 Climate Change Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions private property rights, a loss of sovereignty - both personal physical sovereignty and physical sovereignty in terms of our nation - and it's a loss of our freedom.” From Rosa Koire's special presentation to the New Hampshire Legislature. https://youtu.be/350IbVtpzvw?si=u_NNsNoL9XtGxDEA Page 71 8.3 Collaborate with farmers, government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? to monitor impacts that may be specific to Hawaiʻi County due to its unique exposure to climate change and sea level rise impacts. (Please educate yourself on this false narrative. Is Kona or Hilo or any Hawaiian town close to being underwater? NO!) 8.11 Partner with government (e.g., State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development [OPSD]), private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? to analyze conservation buffers to accommodate shifting native habitats impacted by climate change, particularly wetlands and high-elevation forests. (Remove this ENTIRE section! We do NOT want “buffer” zones! You want to take away the ability for people to be in nature. That is NOT pono!) 8.b Support and partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? on research for adaptive policies and technology that includes safety studies to the public and environment, that increase resilience without further regulations and fines on the public.. 8.d Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard- prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation. REMOVE. THIS IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH! THIS IS NOT A COMMUNIST COUNTRY! YOU CANNOT TAKE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY! 8.e Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders REMOVE Who are they? What do they have stake in? to implement environmentally beneficial upgrades for wastewater, irrigation, and/or landscaping, including sea level rise, storm, and other climate change considerations. (Remove). Getting at least three bids for contracts from different companies. This ENTIRE section should be removed. Rosa Korie WARNED that what is planned for this country through the planning departments “is an erasure of jurisdictional boundaries. It is a loss of Pg 74 - 4.1.1 Introduction 1st para: “achieve sustainable development and” (Remove) change “resilient” to safe 2nd para: “Sustainable development is a key objective of land use planning for the County. By strategically” and in the sentence “Land use planning is essential. (Remove) change “resilient” to safe. 3rd para: - change “resilience” to safety. “and the impacts of climate change” (Remove) Better prepared for and protected against potential disasters. Change: “sustainable” to diversified. “desirable” to fair, equitable. Last para 5th line down: Change: “should” to may Pg 75 Economic Opportunity Planning: “other growth sectors.” Need to be specific, identify other growth sectors. Last sentence: “muck like the weave of sustainability,” (Remove) Pg. 76 Table 16: Land Use Key Trends Changing & Aging Population: “Over the next 25 years 0.9% per annum” decline in population already seen and projected needs to addressed as to why the population is in decline. How you do Planning if you don’t address reasons for population decline. This is crucial. Housing Affordability & Choice: “In 2010…” down to “However, on average, Hawaii County’s overcrowding ” Shifting Visitor Accommodation Types: - Change “With the upward trend….” to “rentals.” & “There is also a shift..” Revise that entire sentence. Job Availability & Growth: - Revise last sentence “In 2020, 14% of the ” Pg. 77 Table 17: Land Use Challenges Revise: Infrastructure section Regulations section Funding & Financing entire section Land Use Compatibility entire section Public Engagement entire section - (My note is What is NIMBYism?) Pg. 78 Table 18: Land Use Opportunities Infrastructure:: last sentence “County departments can provide…..” Regulations: Red: “Collaborate across State and County agencies to…..” (Need more public input and ideas); “The most direct role the County plays..,..property tax policy.” (Need much more research on property tax rates, regulations, policies & scrutinized by the public who are affected by paying property taxes. This should be the most glaring concern so that we do not leave tax burden for future generations who may lose their properties to taxes paid to the government). Funding & Financing: “Partner with the State and other counties to create a capacity building plan…..stakeholders.” (Remove) Market Conditions: “Seek to acquire land for affordable housing developments….” Add: without violating people’s right to own property or take this out. Revise it. This is government overreach! Land Use Compatibility: “Demonstrate smart growth developments.” (Remove) Public Engagement: “Encourage affordable housing projects to meet the needs of neighborhoods (YIMBY) without further regulations and fines.” (What is YIMBY?) and next line “Apply strategies to….” “stakeholder”. Who are these stakeholders? What do they have stake in? Pg. 79 4.1.2 Land Use Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions Item 9.7 - Red: “Encourage” change to Mandate developers Item 9.8 - Red: “Route selection for …..” that entire sentence. (This is a high priority revision as it pertains directly to 5G dangers. Here is where the people/public need to have direct input/approval/changes. Item 9.a - Red: “Develop a process for County…..” this is crucial for public scrutiny & opportunity for the public to get transparency. Transparency can only be realized if we, the public include ourselves into all governmental processes. If not, we will not get transparency, period! Pg 80 Land Use Goal, Objectives, Policies, and Actions - continued Item 9.e - “Conduct a review and re-evaluation….” entire sentence to be revised. Item 10.3 “Proposed discretionary permits for large developments…..Ka’u Districts” -Not clear needs revision. Item 10.b “Amend…….allow CPDs to be applied to all zoning districts…” - Why amend the Zoning Code? We need to compare current Zoning Codes to what they propose to amend to see if the people or the developers have the advantage. What are CPDs? Item 10.c - Red: “Collaborate with the State Office of Planning…..Native Hawaiian customary and traditional..” Need to revise to ensure that Hawaiian cultural experts, NOT the State government or its agencies have any input for preserving, protecting, educating, safeguarding, sharing, marketing, ..every aspect of utilizing our native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli) heritage of language, practices, traditions, religion & more belong exclusively to the kanaka maoli elders, experts, kupuna, kahuna, healers NEVER the government or its agencies…NEVER!!! Pg 81 continue Item 11.4 “Concurrency reviews should incorporate….. (Remove)” entire sentence absolutely NO! Actions 11.a - Red: “Collaborate with the SHPD to create…..” entire sentence - Need experts. 11.d - Red: “Amend Zoning Code….” do not give the Planning Director more power, it’s time to decrease power for that position, we need to humble these government workers/servants. Now is that time as history has shown us, when they have power, they want more; when they have more power, it’s not enough & the cycle continues while the people suffer. STOP giving away the power from the people. 11.f - “Update traffic impact…..” (Remove) entire sentence. Travel should not be the Planning Board’s power to take away from me or you, ever. Objective 12 Reduce the threat to life and property from natural hazards and disasters. Policies The above sentence - Red: add “unnatural & natural hazards” - It is important to identify the reality that unnatural hazards have always existed, therefore, why is that omitted? 12.3 Red: “Consider natural …….” Again add in unnatural & force the Planning Board to address DE disasters, weather machine disasters which are human created disasters, which is criminal. Why shouldn’t the Planning Board include these disasters as they certainly affect the health & safety of the people & our environment. 12.8 Red: “Encourage the development….” entire sentence. Again, must address DE/Weather machines/human initiated disasters. Pg 82 Actions Item 12.a - Red: “Update the Building Code…..” entire sentence need extreme revisions, I initially wanted to delete, but it is necessary to revise to include unnatural/man made disasters & address “carbon footprint”. These are areas to not hide by deleting, but rather talk about them through revisions. Item 12.g - “Amend the Zoning Code….” (Remove) Until they can prove climate change is happening, delete this section that refers to climate change as that is a false narrative that we the people/public should not allow to continue. I do not want to tell a lie over & over again until everyone believes it. That’s breaking the 10 commandments. Pg. 83 4.1.3 Overview of Land Use Designations and Maps No changes. Pg. 84 Table 19: General Plan Land Use Designations and Maps No Changes Pg. 85 Agriculture and Natural Land Use No Changes Pg 86 4.1.4 Urban Growth Areas 2nd para: Red: “Smart Growth” change to something safer, know what it represents not hidden meanings. Black out: the word “sustainable” and from “More specifically, urban centers have been designed to create…. Driving.” - The government or its agencies should not impede or alter the rights of citizens to travel it’s call our right to travel, which is constitutional. Pg 87 Objective 13 Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. Policies Red: change “Smart Growth” to Evaluate and analyze development within designated urban centers. Item 13.3 Red: “Incentivize” what is that & how does it benefit the public? 13.6 Red: “may include additional acreages to account for…..” must revise section to make it clearer as to how this inclusion will work to the advantage or disadvantage of historic sites, public access, parks, & open spaces. More clarity is necessary because saying ok to unclear “PLANNING” should never be accepted. Item #13.12 - Red: Revise entire sentence “Urban renewal, rehabilitation….” need to include people or the public not just communities, businesses, & governmental agencies. Planning Boards should always include the people/public. This will give people the power to make decisions, not just testify for 3 minutes at a Planning Commission hearing. That needs to change. More people/public involvement needs to be promoted. This involvement may be the inspiration or motivation for people to become active in planning for themselves, their future generations. It is time for governments & businesses to take a back seat! Item 13.13 Red: Revise entire sentence. “Support master planning by …..” it’s not “Support” it should be to Scrutinize, evaluate, analyze and recommend by experts and the people. Pg. 88 Commercial - Industrial Item 13.28 Red: “Discretionary permit applications….. Entire sentence need revision as it is not fair to have Discretionary permit applications for new commercial developments. Everyone follows the rules, no exceptions by the Planning Board. Resort Item 13.49 - Red: Revise “On-site affordable housing and workforce units shall be excluded from the total permitted visitor unit counts…..” Again, how does this exclusion help the people, the visitors, the workforce? How does it affect permitted visitor unit counts? Pg 90 Actions 13.c Red: revise “Amend the Subdivision Code to ensure block sizes are based….” What are the current codes & what are the proposed amendments to compare who will have the advantage or disadvantage of this proposal to Amend Subdivision Code. Pg. 91 Urban Character Guidelines Table 20: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Character Guidelines No Changes. Pg. 92 Table 21: Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 93 Table 22: Urban Neighborhood Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 94 Table 23: Industrial Center Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 95 Table 24: Criteria for Industrial Land Conversion to Commercial/Mixed-Use No Changes Pg. 96 Table 25: Resort Area Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 97 4.1.5 Rural No Changes Pg. 98 Objective 14 Maximize the use of Rural designated lands to preserve rural character and lifestyle. Policies All items from 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 - Red: Must revise all items as the Planning Board is asking for Support of everything they are doing, which contradicts any changes that the public may be deemed detrimental. Asking for “blind” support is ridiculous. Actions - Items 14.a, 14.b, 14.c, & 14.d Red: Revise all items as it is asking to Amend Zoning Code, zoning districts which is crucial to see current codes compared to amendments. How are these amendments affecting the public to their advantage vs. disadvantages. This is very important to NOT just accept amendments. Thorough research is necessary to protect the public. Pg. 99 Table 26: Rural Neighborhood Character Guidelines No Changes Pg. 100 4.1.6 Agriculture Last para: “The General Plan provides planning tools to incentivize the highest and best use of productive agricultural lands. The Plan’s policies…… entire paragraph need to be revised. I am especially concerned with the word “incentivize the highest and best use… here again what does this mean, how will it be done, who benefits. Pg. 101 Objective 15 Support the active use of Productive Agricultural lands. Actions All items 15.a, 15.b, 15.c. 15.d, 15.e must be revised Not just Amend. Pg. 102 Actions (continue) Item 15.f - Revise “Update the Real Property Tax Code…..” need public input for transparency. Item 15.g Revise “Amend the Zoning Code…” again do not just accept Amending Item 15.k Revise “Collaborate with USDA and the State…. It’s not just collaborate, it’s what are the decisions based upon, what are the final decisions, how are these decisions helping farmers. Since, we have passed hundreds of years farming in Hawaii you would think we have identified major problems, why these problems do not get resolved, who are responsible for the non-resolutions. This is just repeating ….USDA, the State who have been in charge of agriculture, I want to see a report card that covers 1950s to 2023. Report cards are transparency mechanisms to identify who & what are creating our farmer’s problems. We cannot fix anything without transparency. Politicians say it, but absolutely no actions. This section is entitled ACTION. Let us begin to act. Pg. 104 4.2.1 Introduction Third para: “Resilience….” I don’t want the word resilience to be an escape mechanism for the government or its agencies. That word should change. The last para: “The Plan is focused on improving connectivity within …..” this sounds good, but I don’t see good results as I am pass 70 yrs old. We should not accept “rinse & repeat”. What did the Planning Board learn from over 100 yrs. Of past failures? They say they focus on improving, yet we cannot determine how they will improve. Stronger language to ensure that the public can know they plan to improve. Pg. 105 Table 27: Transportation Key Trends No Changes Pg. 106 Table 28: Transportation Challenges All items Red: Revisions necessary. It refers to electric cars, Pre-COVID-19 (false narratives that must be stopped) Pg. 107 Table 29: Transportation Opportunities All items Red: Need revisions since they want to establish metrics, improve interagency collaboration, prepare projects, standardize interagency agreements. It contains a multitude of changes that are unclear, very ambiguous, & again, transparency is lacking. Pg. 108 4.2.2 Transportation Goal, Objective, Policies, and Actions All items Red: Requires revisions. Examples: item 16.2 “Encourage safe and convenient use …... non-polluting” What is non-polluting to the Planning Board? What do they know about pollution as they don’t know that EMFs are dangerous pollutants. And example: Item 16.10 “Identify and evaluate transportation….. energy and climate issues.” We need to stop the false Pg. 109 Actions - continue All items - Red: Revisions necessary. Same reasons as above for Pg. 108. Sorry Michelle - did not complete pages 104 to 118-119. Can do later/Kalei K. completed today, Monday 9-23-24 at 12:01 pm. Pg. 110 4.2.3 Active Living Corridors and Public Access No Changes Pg. 111 Objective 17 Increase transportation connectivity. Policies All items Red: Need revisions. Example: Item 17.1 “Ensure Native Hawaiian access rights are clearly expressed….” This is an area of talk talk talk & no action. Again, what violations have already occurred, how long have these violations been going on, have these violations stopped? Just putting in a sentence in a Plan does not mean it has been adhered to. Therefore, these proposals are weak. As a native Hawaiian it is imperative to get enforcement for these violations, identify violations, how long it’s been happening, why & who are responsible to stop violations, protect native Hawaiian access rights. If this item # is weak, which it is - than the others need revisions. Pg. 112 Table 30: Public Access Spacing Standards No Changes Pg. 4.2.4 Mass Transit All paragraphs need revisions Red: revisions necessary. Mass Transit has been proven wrong on Oahu, the Rail. Over budgeted, from hundreds of millions of dollars (budgeted) to billions of dollars, NOT budgeted. Who is paying for this government error? You, me & our visitors. We have an historic example from the City & County of Honolulu. The people protested against this “Rail”, but years later a Mayor brought back the Rail & all Mayors thereafter continue with this project. Please investigate this “Planning” before Hawaii County repeats history. All words in this section/page are the same words use by the Planning Dept. of the City & County of Honolulu. Absolutely requires total revisions to 4.2.4 Mass Transit Pg. 114 Objective 18 Increase mass transit ridership by 50 percent by 2045 Policies All items are basic objectives. No changes (yet) Pg. 115 4.2.5 Roadways 2nd to last para: What is the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan Pink: Concern Pg. 116 Objective 19 Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) All items Red: Need revisions Concern - What is reduce vehicle miles traveled? Why reduce vehicle miles traveled? What is this agenda for & what will it accomplish? Who will benefit? Again, our right to travel cannot be altered or impeded as that right is protected by the US Constitution & God. Pg. 117 Objective 20 Achieve a transportation system that employs all modes of transportation at a community scale. All items need to be revised Pg. 117 continue: Objective 21 Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff. Policies All items Red: Concern See item 21.1 “green infrastructure strategies, and pollution prevention procedures….” Again, sine the Planning Board does not understand EMF pollution & its dangerous - what are they talking about here “pollution prevention procedures..” Pg. 118 continue from above. Actions & Objective 22 Increase transportation safety for transportation’s most vulnerable users and reduce traffic fatalities.Policies All items Red: revise Pg. 119 Continue from above. All items from 22.7 to 22.9 Red: revise Concern. 22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles. This appears to be referencing the very unproven technology of ‘driverless cars??’ Emerging technology needs to go through rigorous standards of testing before being released onto roadways. This text here, with a clear reference to something that is already proving dangerous on the roadways and the subject of lawsuits does not belong in our County Plan. 22.8 Maintain dedicated roadway standards that are appropriate to roadway type and achieve active transportation and safety goals. 22.9 Engage and collaborate with the owners of private roads and local community groups to help identify and develop road management agreements that mitigate road closures to provide emergency evacuation routes. Actions 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles. This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. These safety principles need to be spelled out or they don’t belong in the County Plan. ● 22.b Develop educational programs promoting traffic safety. Where something is designated an ‘action’ in a County General Plan Document, sufficient detail should be provided. This is too vague and should be elaborated in detail. ● Objective 23 Adequately maintain public transportation systems. Policies ● 23.1 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans for pavement, bridges, and other road infrastructure to prolong the life of our transportation system as well as reduce its whole-life cost. ● 23.2 Maintain the unique features of historic bridges, while balancing safety needs and preserving historic and scenic character. ● 23.3 Prioritize the replacement of deficient and inadequate bridges and maintain pedestrian/bicycle access across bridges. ● 23.4 Design new bridges and bridge improvements to accommodate and not negatively impede identified scenic resources. ● 23.5 Evaluate freight routes identified in the State Freight Master Plan for required improvements to meet roadway standards. ● 23.6 Encourage the adoption of innovative materials and methods that improve roadway sustainability and resilience. Actions ● 23.a Create an asset management program. ● 23.b Continue the bridge inspection program and expand rehab or replacement to include active transportation accommodations. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 119 Roadway Standards The County adheres to several federal and industry standards for roadway design. These include the AASHTO Green Book and Roadside Design Guide, the MUTCD, the NACTO, and the Highway Capacity Manual.5 Examples of topics addressed by these guidelines include road geometry (e.g., curves, sight distance), safety within ROWs adjacent to travel ways, design speeds, level of service, signs/striping/signaling, and urban transit. In addition to these sources, the County adheres to the following locally defined standards. Street Standards Highways shall not be wider than four through travel lanes that accommodate single occupancy vehicles and should be limited to the most populated areas typically connecting residential areas with employment centers. Integrate transportation networks to prioritize the most vulnerable roadways users and the greenest modes of travel through a Multimodal Hierarchy (Figure 7) that prioritizes investments in the following order: 1. Pedestrian 2. Public Transit 3. Bicycle 4. Auto This is a directive for future transportation policy ? It is 4 words and yet it is a giant reach toward a set of ideals and it is not explained at all in detail. OBJECTION : This ‘policy directive’ reflects a radical socialist agenda of forcing people to give up automobiles and give up their autonomy at the same time. This shows contempt for the most basic principles of freedom. . We refer you to : The United States Constitution which “protects the freedom to move about within the country, both domestically and internationally. This fundamental right is deeply rooted in American liberty and has been recognized and protected by the Supreme Court. “ The priorities established in a General Plan should reflect careful consideration of the island’s economy and how to best support our island economy but instead this prioritization of pedestrians ‘first’ and ‘automobile’ transport reflects an obsession with addressing carbon as a ‘cause’ for an alleged crisis for our climate. . It’s strange to us that in this document that purports to be about a plan for ‘development’ there is barely a focus on the actual economy. Here instead we see a document ‘prioritizing’ Pedestrian travel (on an island with very few densely populated urban centers) without context of what will actually promote agriculture, commerce, industries, jobs and economic activities. This directive would make more sense for an Oahu General Plan because of the size of the land mass and ratio of population. If it is in this document without much explanation then it appears to be a reflection of a ‘fad’ in transportation policy rather than a practical and well thought out policy directive. The minimum roadway width standards to accommodate the County Roadway Classifications were adopted in Resolution 779-20. The following provides an overview of this standard with reference to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Functional Classification system. 4.2.6 Transportation Terminals: Airports and Harbors As a major hub for tourism, commerce, and connectivity, Hawaiʻi County recognizes the importance of effective planning and management of its airports and harbors. These key infrastructure components serve as lifelines that facilitate economic growth, enhance regional connectivity, and provide essential services for residents and visitors. Airports and harbors connect the County to the rest of the world, allowing for the efficient movement of goods, people, and ideas. They are essential nodes within the transportation network, acting as important economic drivers for the region. Efficient airports and harbors directly contribute to the success of various industries, including tourism, agriculture, trade, and logistics. Moreover, they are instrumental in supporting emergency response efforts, disaster management, and ensuring the overall resilience of the region’s transportation system. Again, over and over the objection ‘in general’ to this General Plan 2045 is that the document references ‘economic growth’ and yet does not address the actual drivers of the economy in detail. As public servants it is your best service to our island if you would study how you can support the farmers, producers of goods and services to build a great economy together. Unfortunately there are dozens of instances where legislators and public servants have imposed restrictions, fees and taxes on those very ‘drivers’ of our economy. Airport Terminals and Harbors do not ‘cause’ the economy to grow and are not drivers of the economy and yet we see a General Plan with weighted emphasis on ‘transportation’ and urban development without seeing evidence of a study of what will actually support the individuals and households that produce economic value for our actual economy. This is an extremely poor outcome for a document that presents as a ‘guide’ for legislators and policy makers for the next 20 plus years. The principal concerns of planning for transportation terminals involve a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects, including location, zoning of adjacent land, infrastructure development, capacity management, safety and security measures, environmental sustainability, integration with other modes of transportation, and financing and programming of improvements and services through capital improvement projects. While the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for the actual design, construction, and operation of terminals and supporting facilities, the General Plan addresses the location of these facilities in relation to the pattern of overall land uses. There are two deep draft harbors on the island, one in Hilo and another in Kawaihae. While improvements continue to be made, both harbor terminals lack adequate docking and Harbor has increased significantly as the population and development in West Hawaiʻi continue to grow. In 2011, the Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan was developed by the State to accommodate the future needs of facilities CONCERN: THE HARBORS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII. THEY ARE HARBORS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR ISLAND AND WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY. WHAT HAPPENED TO HOME RULE? WHERE WAS THE CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE TO HAND OVER CONTROL OF OUR HARBORS TO THE STATE ?. Air terminals that transportation are in Hilo, Waimea, ʻUpolu, and Kona. The terminals at Hilo and Kona are overseas facilities. Overseas flights at the Kona International Airport at Keahole will continue to increase with the growth of resort areas in Kona and Kohala. Overseas flights through Hilo International Airport have been important for agriculture in East Hawaiʻi. What is concerning about this County General Plan 2045 is the lack of analysis about our actual economy. WHY DO WE SEE A DOCUMENT THAT STATES ‘OVERSEAS FLIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WITH THE GROWTH OF RESORT AREAS?’ THIS PLAN SEEMS FLAWED DUE TO LACKING IN CRITICAL ‘ARGUMENTS’ FOR THE PLANNED GROWTH BASED ON ACTUAL NUMBERS AND STUDIES . IF THERE ARE STUDIES AND STATISTICS THAT DO SUPPORT THE ASSERTIONS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE GENERAL PLAN ABOUT PROJECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH THEN THEY SHOULD BE REFERENCED AND INCLUDED IN THE PLAN. ALSO CITATIONS OF WHERE THIS INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC IN ‘CONSULTATIONS’ ● STRANGELY THE HILO PLAN IS MISSING FROM THE GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENT AND THIS IS ONE OF TWO URBAN CENTERS AND THE CENTER FROM WHICH TWO OF THE ‘HARBORS’ AND ‘TERMINALS’ OPERATE? THIS SEEMS (AGAIN) A GLARING OMISSION. Since 2011, the DOT has embarked on a $2.3 billion Hawaiʻi Airports Modernization Program to improve the safety, capacity, and efficiency of our major passenger and cargo airports. As the population becomes more mobile and as resident and visitor populations increase, there will be a greater demand for new and expanded transportation facilities that are adjacent to compatible land uses and include alternative and active transportation connections to decrease the demand for cars and reliance on fossil fuels. OBJECTION TO THIS SENTENCE IS THAT IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY FACTS OR AN ARGUMENT MADE FOR THE CASE BEING PRESENTED. AGAIN THE CONCERN ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT IS THAT IT IS COMMITTING OUR ENTIRE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEGISLATURE TO A RADICAL COURSE OF ACTION BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT FOSSIL FUELS ARE TO BE ERADICATED AND THAT PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ALSO BE ERADICATED AND OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED. THESE PREMISES ARE PART OF A RADICAL SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION SINCE IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LIMIT THE FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS TO FREELY MOVE ABOUT. service inter-island 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 122 Objective 24 Improve accessibility to airports, harbor systems, and support facilities. Policies ● 24.1 Encourage the programmed improvement of existing terminals, including adequate provisions for control of pollution and appropriate and adequate covered storage facilities for agricultural products. ● 24.2 The State Department of Transportation should continue to implement its plans for transportation terminals and related facilities to promote and follow desired land use policies. ● 24.3 Transportation terminals should be developed in conjunction with the different elements of the overall transportation system. ● 24.4 Encourage maximum use of the island's airport and harbor facilities. ● 24.5 Encourage the development, maintenance, and enhancement of Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors as detailed within the State’s Hawaiʻi Commercial Harbors 2035 Master Plan. THIS COULDN’T BE MORE VAGUE AS A STATED OBJECTIVE. IT DOESN’T REFERENCE THE VERY PRACTICAL MATTERS OF ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR ISLAND. WHERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ACTUAL ECONOMY IN THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT ? THIS ALSO OMITS MENTION THAT A PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY WOULD BE THE RATIONALE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT KAWAIHAII AND HILO HARBORS. AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO HANDING OVER HARBORS TO THE STATE OF HAWAII WHERE THEY ARE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE ISLAND . ● 24.6 Support the State’s objectives to acquire rights within the runway clear-zones, limit heights within approach zones, and restrict noise-sensitive uses within designated noise contours determined by the State. CONCERN: THIS APPEARS TO REFERENCE PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND SUGGESTS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD ‘SUPPORT’ THE STATE TO RESTRICT USES AND ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS ‘NEAR TO AIRPORTS?’ THIS AGAIN IS ONE MORE COMMUNIST LAND GRAB PRACTICE. THIS DOESN’T BELONG IN OUR COUNTY PLAN DOCUMENT FOR 2045. ● 24.7 Future land uses in the vicinity of airports and harbors should have an adequate open space buffer and/or be compatible with the anticipated noise exposure and industrial nature in the vicinity. ● 24.8 Encourage pedestrian-oriented connectivity around harbors and small boat harbors. ● 24.9 Encourage master planning of small boat harbors to accommodate commercial and recreational fishing, tour boats, as well as business and recreational ocean activities, that balance economic vitality and environmental sensitivity. CONCERN THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE MANY USERS FROM ACCESS TO HARBORS (SAILING COMMUNITY, FISHING COMMUNITY HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGHER USER FEES AND MORE RESTRICTIONS OF USE IN RECENT YEARS) AND MANY OF THE HARBORS IN THE STATE HAVE BECOME PRIVATIZED. (If privatization occurs, then management controls everything. .) . Actions ● 24.a Create a strategic improvement plan, including mapping, for County owned and/or managed boat harbors and develop an island-wide needs assessment to better serve regional gaps in ocean accesses. ● 24.b Ensure collaboration with State agencies to offer a variety of transportation options at airports and harbors. 4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 123 4.3 PUBLIC UTILITIES 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 124 4.3.1 Introduction In Hawaiʻi County’s pursuit of a prosperous and resilient future, public utilities stand as pillars of essential infrastructure. THERE IS A LOFTY CLAIM MADE BY THIS ENTIRE EXERCISE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DOCUMENT ITSELF REPRESENTS ANY KIND OF PLAN FOR A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE. THERE ARE MANY BUZZWORDS THAT ARE BEING USED IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT ARE HOLLOW. THESE WORDS THEMSELVES DON’T CONJURE UP A FUNCTIONING ECONOMY BUT THEY DO OFTEN GIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS THE WARM FEELING THAT THESE WORDS CAN ‘DO ALL THE WORK.’ THIS DOCUMENT IS LACKING IN A GROUNDING OF ACTUAL ECONOMIC STUDY AND LACKS THE INSIGHTS INTO THE OBVIOUS WAYS THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM SECTOR AND ENCOURAGE NEW INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND. These are services regulated by the government and provided in response to existing and prospective patterns of development. Changes in land use, population density, and development usually generate changes in the demand and supply of utilities. As the backbone of modern society, public utilities encompass a wide range of vital services that support the health, safety, and sustainability of our communities. This critical infrastructure allows us to function in many ways, including the ability to maintain healthy living conditions, proper sanitation, and access reliable energy to power our homes and businesses. Public utilities play a key role in forming the foundation upon which social, economic, and environmental progress is built. Such essential services enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses while safeguarding the natural resources and cultural heritage of our island. The significance of public utilities can be understood through their contributions in the areas of environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and social well-being. Public utilities drive environmental stewardship by promoting clean energy generation, efficient water management, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives. AS PART OF GENERAL PLANNING AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICE, WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO AUDIT OF THE WASTEWATER DIVISION OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT? NO DOCUMENT PURPORTING TO PLAN AHEAD FOR 2O PLUS YEARS CAN COVER FOR THE FACT THAT MALADMINISTRATION AND POOR LEADERSHIP HAS LEAD TO MULTIPLE ‘FAILS’ OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT WHERE LEAKS OCCURRED AND THE PUBLIC WASN’T ADEQUATELY INFORMED. THE PLAN SHOULD START WITH A MORE SERIOUS ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURES OF THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM. Through the application of sustainable practices and technologies, public utilities protect our fragile ecosystems, mitigate climate change impacts, and preserve the beauty of our island for future generations. HOW DO ‘PUBLIC UTILITIES’ ‘MITIGATE’ ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ? This is an example of a wild overstatement and is not supported by fact. Additionally, robust and reliable infrastructure attracts investment, supports economic growth, and fosters job creation. From powering local industries to enabling efficient transportation networks, public utilities are catalysts for economic development, making our communities more resilient in the face of challenges. Waste to Energy incinerators have been opposed multiple times in the past in Hawaii County and each time a massive multi million dollar contract for construction of an incinerator was required which the public was going to be financing over many years. We notice that the Incinerator ‘Waste to Energy’ proposal is in this County General Plan 2045 in spite of all the protests in the past. This history of pushing forward unpopular projects that have seen community objection and then forcing the property Access to safe and affordable utilities is a fundamental right of every individual. Really ?? Who wrote this ? As a general comment, it has been pointed out repeatedly that this ‘General Plan’ document is poorly written and has many flaws.Here we see misuse of the term ‘fundamental rights’ where there is no such ‘fundamental right.’ While ‘Safe and Affordable utilities’ may be considered ‘essential’ for a ‘standard of living’ or to meet the definition of ‘economic prosperity’ but use of the phrase ‘fundamental right’ is a confusion of what the legal understanding is concerning ‘fundamental rights.’ The ‘fundamental rights’ of say .. ‘freedom to move’ ARE (as cited elsewhere in the transportation section) the rights that this document happily waives aside (ignoring the Constititution in the process) . Further, there should be statistics included about what proportion of the island currently is ‘off grid’ since that proportion is very high and those numbers would provide a necessary context for all discussion about proposals to provide utilities ‘affordably’ AND ‘universally.’ Public utilities ensure equitable distribution of resources, allowing residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy necessities such as clean water, affordable energy, and accessible internet-based services. These services enhance public health, education, and overall quality of life, fostering thriving and inclusive communities. ‘ As with previous comment, this entire section seems flawed due to lacking in facts. This statement reflects ‘wishes’ rather than a series of steps toward an attainable goal. Given the unique challenges posed by our geography and vulnerable ecosystem, the General Plan aims to effectively guide the development, maintenance, and improvement of these critical services. This section of the Plan is primarily concerned with the planning aspects of our, water, wastewater, stormwater, electricity, and telecommunications systems. Planning for the location of utility facilities such as reservoirs, pumping stations, and sewage treatment plants is an important aspect of the land planning process, as it makes way for development opportunities. Where is the context for this statement? Here we see the notion of ‘development opportunities’ being introduced without context or explanation. This is objectionable since it could be interpreted by future administrations or legislatures as a ‘mandate’ for growth while lacking any parameters. Unintegrated utilities can burden developments with lower levels of service and may limit or even prevent development. The integration and availability of public utilities in priority growth areas are imperative. CONCERN: Why isn’t this spelled out more ? Why is there no clear explanation here of what is meant by ‘priority growth area’ . Changes in the intensity of land use greatly influence the quantitative design of utilities and services, particularly their design capacity. There may be distinctions in the type of services offered for each utility as land use intensities vary. These distinctions also depend on local codes and ordinances, health and sanitary considerations, and practices followed by utility companies. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 125 Table 33: Public Utilities Challenges General • Funding and financing the development, conversion, repair, operations, and maintenance of public utilities are central challenges for communities, developers, and county government. WHAT IS MISSING HERE IS REFERENCE TO THE IDEA THAT HOMEOWNERS WILL ALL BE ASKED TO PAY FOR CONVERSION FROM CESSPOOL/ SEPTIC OVER TO ACTUAL COUNTY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS TOPIC DESERVES A FULL DISCUSSION. DITTO WHAT IS CONCERNING IS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ‘DEVELOPMENT’ OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.. • Any large infrastructure expansions are paid for by developers and the costs are not to scale for financing. • Geographical variability and obstacles require creative solutions for utility buildout. • Aging public utility infrastructure must become more resilient to natural hazards, extreme weather events, and climate change impacts. WHERE ARE THE CITED STUDIES PROVING THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING WEATHER EVENTS / CLIMATE WEATHER ? IN THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT WE SEE NONE REFERENCED. • Absent, aging, or dilapidated infrastructure limits new development where it is needed, consistent with strategic land use patterns and inhibits existing development. THIS SENTENCE IS POORLY WRITTEN WITH THE RESULT OF CONFUSING THE READER. WHY ARE WE LEFT WONDERING WHAT IS BEING SAID HERE? • Outdated utility systems and practices can pose environmental and health concerns and are expensive to change. • Disputes over water source capacity can prevent development where it is needed and consistent with desired development patterns. • Water commitments have been assigned to parcels that are not being developed or lack development potential. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR ELSE EXPLAINED SO THAT THE MEANING IS CLEAR. • Guidelines for assigning water units per system need to be updated. • Modeling of water demand and potential demand needs to be closely aligned to land use. • The water systems serving, North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, and Puna will require additional water source development. • On-site wastewater disposal can adversely impact groundwater resources. THIS APPEARS TO BE A REFERENCE TO SEPTIC /CESS POOL SYSTEMS. ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. • Wastewater planning and policy primarily focus on maintaining and servicing existing systems and do not proactively plan for developing new systems to accommodate growth or to extend existing lines to align with urban zoning. • County policy has largely relied on private developers to develop commercial and private wastewater systems for new development, which ultimately leaves significant municipal service gaps in urban areas. • Many County wastewater systems may not be able to accommodate unserved, existing zoned capacity and projected growth. • Landowners and developers may incur the costs of constructing private systems or upgrades due to the insufficiency and lack of wastewater systems in many areas. • Wastewater requirements hinder the redevelopment or rehabilitation of existing structures and are often seen as an affordable housing issue. • Treated wastewater is typically discharged into ocean waters or injected into the ground and is not generally reused. • Wastewater infrastructure improvement and development costs are not fiscally planned for, either in the County budget or through County wastewater fee valuation. • Individual wastewater systems (IWS) are associated with limitations and regulations. Currently, the Department of Health’s rules do not allow single-family dwellings and additional dwelling units (ADU) on a single IWS system. • Reliance on IWS is an impediment to compact development due to minimum lot size requirements for IWS, thereby contributing to sprawl. • Coastal residential neighborhoods without centralized wastewater are contaminating near- shore waters with pollution from IWS. ELABORATION AND A LOT MORE DETAIL SHOULD BE REQUIRED HERE. THIS SEEMS TO IMPLY A POLICY DIRECTIVE THAT IS SPECIFIC TO APPLY TO COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS ? IMPOSING FINES OR HIGH COSTS TO HOME OWNERS TO ADDRESS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MAINS SEWER OR EVEN SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN ROCKY TERRAIN WILL LEAD TO DELINQUENCY AND THEN FINES AND POTENTIAL SEIZURE OF PROPERTY. THIS IS A VERY ‘DANGEROUS’ POLICY DIRECTIVE TO LEAVE AMBIGUOUS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE MUST BE EXPLORED AND CLEARLY STATED. THIS DOCUMENT IS CITING THE HUGE OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR ISLAND WHERE SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON CESSPOOLS. WHILE THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE BIO-REMEDIATION METHODS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL ‘WASTEWATER TREATMENT’ NO STUDIES ARE INCLUDED, NO MENTION OF THESE KINDS OF OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED. BIO REMEDIATION WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BELONG IN A DOCUMENT LIKE THIS SINCE SUCH METHODS SHOULD BE EXPLORED AS A COST SAVING MEASURE AND DATA IS AVAILABLE TO DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVENESS. FURTHER THE IMPACT TO COASTAL ECO SYSTEMS OF INADEQUATELY TREATED WASTEWATER AND RAW SEWAGE ARE WORTHY OF MENTION HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT. TO CITE A WELL KNOWN EXAMPLE: THE ‘GENKI BALL’ EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN SEVERAL POLUTED WATERWAYS IN HAWAII. MOST NOTABLY THE ‘GENKI BALLS’ USED AT ALA WAI CANAL IN HONOLULU RESULTED IN BETTER WATER QUALITY AND FISH RETURNING TO THE AREA. WHERE A COMBINATION OF CULTURED ‘BOKASHI’ AND CLAY WERE INTRODUCED TO THE WATERWAYS THUS BILLIONS OF MICROBES WERE RELEASED CAPABLE OF REDUCING ECOLI AND OTHER LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN THE WATER. THIS AND OTHER KINDS OF BIOREMEDIATION BELONGS IN A PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR HAWAII ISLAND. PAGE 126 • The looming deadline to convert cesspools to sewer or other IWS may create lack of local expertise to meet demand if not properly planned. • The future impacts of climate change on future rainfall volumes are uncertain. WHERE IS THE FACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS ‘MAN MADE CLIMATE CHANGE’? • Outdated codes limit the effectiveness of stormwater infrastructure and stormwater-related practices. • Water quality changes caused by non-point source pollution, human activities, erosion, and sediment transport can negatively impact environmental systems and processes. • A lack of incentives and flexibility exists in the permitting process for stormwater and green infrastructure. • There is a lack of a dedicated funding source for public systems. • There is a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. • The State of Hawaiʻi has the highest electricity rates in the United States. • Building codes, design perspectives, and construction practices can increase electrical demand. • There is a constant need to update and renovate electrical systems and infrastructure. • The adoption of renewable energy practices may offload environmental costs to other distant communities, which can offset positive climate action. POORLY WRITTEN , AMBIGUOUS GENERALIZING STATEMENTS LIKE THIS DO NOT BELONG IN A COUNTY GENERAL PLAN . WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY THE TERM RENEWABLE ENERGY ‘PRACTICES?’ WHAT ENVIRONMENT COSTS ARE REFERRED TO HERE? HOW ARE COSTS ‘OFFLOADED TO DISTANT COMMUNITIES’ HOW ARE THESE OFFSETTING ‘POSITIVE CLIMATE ACTION?’ • Renewable energy developments can be controversial, such as geothermal and wind turbines. THIS STATEMENT IS OBJECTIONABLE. THE REASON THESE ‘ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS’ ARE ‘CONTROVERSIAL’ IS THAT THEY HAVE INJURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HARM. WE NOTE THAT NUCLEAR POWER WAS IN THE ORIGINAL FIRST DRAFT OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL.IF MAKING A CASE FOR GEOTHERMAL OR WIND TURBINES (OR NUCLEAR ENERGY) OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ACKNOWLEDGING THE RISKS SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO THE PUBLIC. • Inadequate access disrupts efficiency and productivity and is a barrier to accessing public services and information. INADEQUATE ACCESS TO WHAT ? THIS IS A POOR SENTENCE AND IS AMBIGUOUS IN MEANING. • Last mile infrastructure is often the most costly and difficult segment to deploy, especially for rural areas where distances from a central distribution point are greater and population density doesn’t economically promote the deployment. • Consistent and accurate service data is needed to provide a constantly improving network for the island.THE STATEMENT ‘PROVIDING A CONSTANTLY ‘IMPROVING NETWORK’ CAN BE INTERPRETED TO REFERENCE THE INCREASINGLY INTENSE LEVELS OF SIGNAL BEING ESTABLISHED. 5 G WHILE BRINGING HIGHER SPEED LEVELS OF DATA TRANSFER IS PROVING TO POSE A HEALTH RISK TO HUMAN TISSUE. THE REGULATION OF 5G TOWERS WITH CONSIDERATIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AN URGENT ISSUE. WE NOTE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ZENDO KERN HAS RECENTLY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES THAT WILL NOT STRINGENTLY ENFORCE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY. • Providers seeking to deploy broadband infrastructure face multiple layers of permitting and approvals at both the State and County level, in addition to community opposition regarding the installation of telecommunications towers. SEE ABOVE COMMENT. THIS REFLECTS AN INTENTIONAL DISREGARD FOR SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ARE WIDELY DOCUMENTED AND CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION. • Limited competition in broadband service providers and transpacific backhaul providers means high consumer rates due to a lack of competition within the market. (??? THIS IS JARGON THAT ISN’T EXPLAINED ) General • Pursue creative funding and financing tools such as Community Facilities Districts (CFD) and Improvement Districts, for utility development, conversion, repair, operations, and maintenance. THIS NEEDS BETTER EXPLANATION. ‘CREATIVE FUNDING’ IS AN OBJECTIONABLE TERM AND SOUNDS LIKE A PROCESS FOR SELLING OFF UTILITIES OR FINANCING CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE SO EITHER WAY, THE PUBLIC WILL PAY MORE FOR UTILITIES. • Ensure that utility development matches desirable development priorities. • Streamline the process of utility infrastructure development to achieve the highest possible level of service for our communities. • Lead the charge in resource conservation and assess creative solutions to incentivize resource conservation for the public. • Prioritize the conversion and modernization of outdated utility systems and practices. • Use an integrated approach to value all water as a resource (e.g., drinking water, wastewater, stormwater). • Collaborate with asset management (e.g., road resurfacing and utility upgrades). ASSET MANAGEMENT IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. • Explore public-private partnership opportunities to create circular systems. ANOTHER VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS USUALLY IS ANOTHER WORD FOR INCREASING PUBLIC DEBT WHILE GIVING AWAY PUBLIC ASSETS TO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS. THIS IS MORE FROM THE PAGES OF SOCIALISM AND WE REJECT IT. • Increase partnerships and enhance collaboration with government, private and nonprofit agencies, and other stakeholders. HERE ‘OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’ IS A VAGUE TERM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED. PLEASE DEFINE IT CLEARLY OR TAKE IT OUT ALTOGETHER. • Explore innovative ways to fund water infrastructure improvements to attract development that is consistent with desired density and the land use pattern. AGAIN A REFERENCE TO ‘DESIRED DENSITY AND LAND USE PATTERNS’ THIS HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAMINED IN THE PLANNING DOCUMENT AND IS BEING REFERENCE HERE AS A STANDARD • Seek creative funding for significant expansion of water systems to reach new customers in non- service areas. • Promote and practice water conservation practices to maximize efficient water use. • Adopt One Water recommendations to standardize interagency collaboration in planning for and managing water resources. • Rainfall collection can provide additional water capacity even where we have Department of Water Supply (DWS) systems. NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. • Align the Water Use Development Plan, Master Plan, General Plan, DWS Capital Improvements Program (CIP), DWS guidelines, DWS water commitments, and private improvements to the DWS system. NEEDS CLEAR EXPLANATION. • Exercise some controls over the permitted uses within the defined zone of influence for downstream deep well sources. IN THIS GENERAL PLANNING DOCUMENT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MENTION OF THE IMPACT OF MILITARY ON THE SOIL, WATER AND AIR QUALITY. HERE A REFERENCE TO POLLUTERS UPSTREAM OF WATER SOURCES AND YET MILITARY IS NOT MENTIONED? POHAKULOA MILITARY BASE CONTINUES TO LEASE FOR $1 AND CONDUCTS LIVE FIRE TRAINING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ISLAND’S VAST AQUIFER. IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN FACT THAT DEPLETED URANIUM HAS BEEN SCATTERED ONTO THE BASE AND CONTINUES TO BE DISTURBED BY MILITARY ACTIVITIES UP THERE. • Encourage groundwater recharge from regional scale master planning to on-site best management practices such as low-impact development (LID). • Increase opportunities for recycled water. THIS SHOULD BE ELABORATED SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A DIRECTIVE. THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO BE CONSULTED ON SUCH MATTERS. • Prioritize sewer for sensitive urban areas. • Proactively seek grant funding to assist with wastewater development. AGAIN STATING THAT REFERENCING OVER AND OVER THE NEED FOR ‘WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT’ WHILE DEDICATING NO TIME AND EFFORT TO EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BIO REMEDIATION IS A MAJOR OMMISSION • Advocate for expanding cesspool conversion tax credit to all cesspool conversions. THESE ARE MAJOR COSTS BEING PASSED ON TO HOME OWNERS. • Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as those for technology upgrades and innovation. THE TERM ‘PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP’ IS A TERM ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED DEBT FOR THE PUBLIC AND A REDUCTION (USUALLY) IN HARD ASSETS THAT ARE HANDED OVER TO CORPORATE PRIVATE INTERESTS. • Promote the expanded use of greywater for landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge via rules for new construction and retrofits • Advocate to the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt appropriately scaled requirements and standards and develop flexible guidelines for designing and permitting wastewater systems that meet environmental objectives. • Low-pressure systems should be prioritized for retrofitting instead of gravity flow. • Higher-density development can contribute more to a centralized system. HERE AGAIN WE SEE AN ASSERTION THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HIGHER DENSITY AND THIS LACKS PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND YET Drinking Water Wastewater 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 128 Stormwater Electricity & Energy Telecommunications & Broadband • Increase availability and access to information about private wastewater treatment plant capacities or expansion opportunities. • Prioritize resiliency measures that support climate change impact scenarios. • Regularly amend County codes to be as current and innovative as possible. • Be a leader in prioritizing green infrastructure over gray infrastructure. • Ensure that stormwater infrastructure decisions align with related plans and the CIP budget. • Green infrastructure practices may provide opportunities for creating or expanding industry. • Prioritize the use of native plants in landscaping. • Promote and support the development of alternative energy production facilities. • Be a net power producer with hydrogen and waste management. THIS STATEMENT WARRANTS ELABORATION OR IT DOESN’T BELONG IN THIS DOCUMENT. • Hawaiʻi Island has the highest renewable energy percentage in the State and can continue to support renewable energy projects to decarbonize our energy system and stabilize electricity costs. WHAT DOES ‘DECARBONIZE OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ ACTUALLY MEAN ? ELECTRIC CARS ON THE ISLAND ARE CHARGED AT STATIONS THAT RELY ON POWER FROM DIESEL FUEL GENERATORS. IN OTHER WORDS ELECTRIC CARS REMAIN DEPENDENT ON THOSE FOSSIL FUELS BUT WE SEE OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROMOTING ELECTRIC CARS AS PART OF AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STRATEGY. THE NOTION OF ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ IS FEEDING A MYTH ABOUT HOW RAPIDLY ‘WE’ CAN TRANSFORM OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. THE IDEA OF ‘DECARBONIZING’ THE ENERGY SYSTEM IS VERY VERY RADICAL AND IS COMING FROM A SOCIALIST MYTH THAT CARBON (THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE) IS ‘BAD’ AND THAT SOMEHOW ‘CARBON’ IS THE CAUSE OF WEATHER EVENTS AND ‘CLIMATE CHANGE.’ THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS A RADICAL AGENDA TO ‘DECARBONIZE’ OUR ENTIRE ENERGY SYSTEM. FURTHER, SINCE THIS WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE DISRUPTION TO THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SINCE IT IS IMPLIED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE DISCOURAGED FROM MOVING ABOUT ‘FREELY’ THIS IS A RADICAL OVERHAUL OF OUR ECONOMY WHICH IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE MANY PAINFUL SHOCKS TO INDIVIDUALS, OHANA AND COMMUNITIES. THIS IS ABOUT THE CLEAREST EXAMPLE OF ‘RECKLESS’ ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. WHAT IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING ABOUT SEEING THE COUNTY DOCUMENT LINE UP SO CLOSELY WITH DECLARED GOALS OF AN ELITE INSTITUTION REPRESENTING THE WEALTHIEST 1% OF OUR PLANET (‘THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’) IS THAT THIS ORGANIZATION APPOINTED ITSELF AS THE CUSTODIANS AND ARBITERS OF A PLAN TO BRING IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHICH IS THE MOST RADICAL OF ALL THE TRANSITIONS AT ANY TIME IN HISTORY AND BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A SERIES OF CRISES: PANDEMIC DISEASE, ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’ THAT APPEAR AS A CRISIS AND ALSO FOOD SHORTAGES IN PART CAUSED BY INTERFERENCE WITH SUPPLY CHAIN THAT BEGAN WITH LOCKDOWNS IN 2020. THE CATCH PHRASE BY WEF LEADER KLAUS SCHWAB AT THE TIME OF INTRODUCING ‘THE GREAT RESET’ WAS ‘BY 2030 YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY.’ WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO TERMS SUCH AS ‘DECARBONIZING OUR ENERGY SYSTEM’ BECAUSE THIS IMPLIES THAT YOU HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE PUBLIC A) TO ASSERT THAT CARBON IS A PROBLEM AS IF THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS TOPIC WHEN THERE IS NOT AND B) TO TAKE EXTREMELY RADICAL AND DANGEROUS STEPS TO TRANSITION THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Support the County’s Broadband Initiative and coordination with the State to facilitate digital equity efforts (e.g., establishing broadband as a public utility, infrastructure deployment, providing training support, and coordinating funding strategies for broadband and telecommunication services). AFTER 5G THERE IS 6G COMING . WITH EACH OF THE INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN THE INTENSITY OF THE FREQUENCY ILLNESSES AND TISSUE DAMAGE RESULTS CONSISTENT WITH ‘RADIATION POISONING’ . THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT TO REVIEW SAFETY INFORMATION AND TO TAKE AN APPROACH THAT HAS A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE. THIS IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. • Compact development and higher population densities where appropriate are favorable for commercial service providers as they contribute to more economically viable market conditions. WHICH ‘COMMERCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS’ IS THIS REFERENCING ? THIS STATEMENT NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED BETTER OR ELSE REMOVED FROM THIS SECTION. • Providing consistent and accurate digital literacy data will promote a desirable level of service for all residents. WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY DATA AND HOW WILL THIS PROMOTE A DESIREABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE ? IS ‘DIGITAL LITERACY DATA’ A CLASS OF INFORMATION THAT COMES WITH VIGILANT PROTECTION OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL; THEIR PRIVACY AND THEIR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ? WITHOUT PROTECTION OF THIS KIND, IF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS WAIVING ON THE INVASIVE DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES OF THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY, THEN IT MAY BE ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE PRIMACY OF SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE WRITTEN INTO THIS GENERAL PLAN. THERE IS A LOT OF DATA TO SUPPORT THAT WHEN THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPROMISED, THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENDANGERED AND TYRANNY WILL LIKELY RESULT. THESE ARE THE REASONS THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT IS FLAWED: WE DON’T SEE CARE TAKEN BY OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY. . • Increasing digital inclusion efforts, which focus on ensuring both access to and ability to use a range of technologies, will contribute to better outcomes for health, public safety, economic opportunity, and civic participation. THE TERM ‘digital inclusion’ IS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT MORE ACCESS TO 5G AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH IS A POSITIVE THING. THIS PREMISE IS WIDELY PROMOTED IN THIS POLICY DOCUMENT AND YET NO SAFETY STUDIES ARE CITED. • Streamlining permitting and approval processes will improve the efficiency of broadband and telecommunication development and delivery. THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF A LOOSE SET OF GUIDELINES FOR TOWER PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. • Pursue partnerships to develop public spaces with broadband access. THIS IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAY BE PROMOTION OF AN OBJECTIVE THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 129 4.3.2 Public Utilities Goal, Objective, Policies, and Actions Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Objective 25 Improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. Policies ● 25.1 Public utility facilities shall be designed at a scale that meets the needs of future development. IN THIS DOCUMENT SO FAR, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT AN ACTUAL FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY, ON THE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT, HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CONSIDERED. WHY IS THERE AN EMPHASIS ON ‘FUTURE DEVELOPMENT’ WITHOUT THE MAIN FOCUS BEING ECONOMIC GROWTH? ● 25.2 Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and effectively serve the needs of the community. ● 25.3 Utility facilities shall be designed to complement adjacent land uses and minimize pollution or disturbance of the natural environment and natural resources. ● 25.4 Improvement of existing utility services shall be encouraged to meet the needs of users. THIS IS MEANINGLESS. WHY IS THIS SENTENCE NECESSARY ? ● 25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS IDEOLOGY. IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT IT NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR WHAT IT IT: ‘SMART CITY’ PROPAGANDA. STACK EM AND PACK EM HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE A PART OF THE PLAN AND THIS IS A RADICAL COMMUNIST AGENDA THAT WE REJECT. IT IS THROUGHOUT THIS DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING. THE SMART CITIES THAT ARE BEING DESIGNED GLOBALLY ARE ANOTHER REFLECTION OF WEF STATED GOALS TO CREATE URBAN CENTERS WHERE SURVEILLANCE AND CARBON MONITORING FORM THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CONFINING PEOPLE AND PREVENTING THEM FROM MOVING ABOUT FREELY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TRAITOROUS PROPOSAL TO FIND IN A DOCUMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERING TO OUR ISLAND A PLAN FOR OUR WELL BEING AS A COMMUNITY, FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND FOR THE CARE OF OUR ‘AINA. ● 25.6 Develop short- and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. ● 25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. Actions 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 130 4.3.3 Drinking Water Conservation The Hawaiʻi State Constitution provides that all public natural resources, including water, are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people. The State Constitution further maintains that “the State has an obligation to protect, control, and regulate the use of Hawaiʻi’s water resources for the benefit of its people.” Water availability is crucial to any type of development, whether urban, rural, or agricultural. Water availability is based on the sustainable yields of the groundwater hydrologic units established through the State Water Code.1 Land use allocation must be closely related to water availability, including the quantity and quality of the water, and the adequacy of the transmission and distribution system. The General Plan requires an understanding of water availability and capacity, current demands, and future demands based on planned and anticipated future growth and land uses. ‘ The County’s Department of Water Supply (DWS) is the primary agency that manages, controls, and operates the water supplies of the County and its properties. There are 23 individual water systems distributed throughout the island. Water demand is directly related to population and industry usage and is expressed as gallons per day (gpd) or million gallons per day (mgd). Demand does not represent domestic consumption alone, but also includes all agricultural, industrial, and commercial uses, fire protection, and other uses. In some areas, however, non-domestic users are likely to create the major demand, and careful attention must therefore be given in any study of probable future water needs. In Hawaiʻi, there are a multitude of public agencies that are either actively tasked with regulating water resources or whose policies affect water use. There are also a number of private entities that use and manage water resources. Over the decades, water management has become segregated in a way that has created disjointed, mechanical approaches to a naturally continuous resource. The disconnection has included narrow perspectives that fail to see the larger picture. Hawaiʻi County aspires to achieve water resource management that is free from the limitations and issues of siloed practices, processes, agencies, and government bodies. Achieving a One Water approach in Hawaiʻi County includes actionable steps that can be adapted and adjusted to localize the One Water strategies. QUESTION : WHY IS A PRIVATE COMPANY BEING SOLD THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER IN HILO ? WHY ISN’T A PLANNING DOCUMENT CONCERNED WITH FUTURE WATER ACCESS CLEAR THAT NO WATER IS TO BE ‘SOLD’ OR COMMERCIALIZED SINCE IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII? One Water One Water is a strategy that integrates the management of stormwater, wastewater, groundwater, sea water, freshwater, graywater, and recycled water to create resource and financial efficiencies. One Water will help the County of Hawaiʻi address climate change impacts by creating cross-agency coordination and advancing the capacity within agencies. ANY PREMISE USED TO CONTROL WATER ACCESS, WATER RIGHTS WHETHER BY A CORPORATION OR A GOVERNMENT MUST BE REJECTED. WATER IS AN INCREASINGLY PRIVATISED COMMODITY ACROSS THE WORLD. THIS SHOULD CONCERN US. IT ALREADY SEEMS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT ON THE ONE HAND APPLICANTS HAVE REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED VIA A COUNTY PERMITTING PROCESS TO PURCHASE THE RIGHTS TO BOTTLE WATER FROM OUR MAUNA KEA AQUIFER AND ON THE OTHER HAND THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE PROMOTING CONTROL OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN A CENTRALIZED FASHION INVOLVING MULTIPLE ‘UNDISCLOSED AGENCIES’ FURTHER, AGAIN THERE IS AN OBJECTION TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNTY OF HAWAII WILL ADDRESS ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS’ WHEN THE VERY PREMISE OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY MULTIPLE LEADING AUTHORITIES AND IS THE SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY DUE TO THE LACK OF HARD EVIDENCE THAT ‘CARBON’ IS THE CAUSE OF ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’ AND ‘CLIMATE EVENTS’ THAT APPEAR TO REPRESENT AN EMERGENCY. Objective 26 Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water. Policies ● 26.1 All public water systems shall be designed and built to the DWS dedication standards. All other systems shall meet all relevant health and safety regulations and be designed and constructed by a licensed engineer. ● 26.2 Water sources shall be protected to prevent depletion and contamination from natural and man- made occurrences or events. ● 26.3 An effort by County, State, and private interests shall be coordinated to identify sources of additional water supply to be implemented and ensure the development of sufficient quantities of water for existing and future needs of high-growth areas and agricultural production. ● 26.4 Installation or rehabilitation of water distributions shall be sized to adequately meet fire protection. ● 26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. ● 26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+ units) in the North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona, and Kaʻū Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation, recharge, and reuse measures to reduce the water footprint. ● 26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. ● 26.8 Water system improvements, including exploratory wells, shall correlate with the County's desired land use development pattern. ● 26.9 The DWS shall prioritize infill development and focus source development to serve designated Urban Growth Areas. ● 26.10 Waterdemandprojectionsshallincludeallconsumptiveandnon-consumptivedemands. ● 26.11 TheDWSandthePlanningDepartmentshallcoordinateprioritiesbeforetheadoptionofanynew water development or County land use plans. ● 26.12 AllCountypotablewatersystemsshouldhavebackupstandbysources. One Water ● 26.13 Treat all water as a valuable resource in community design, and integrate designs for drinking water, stormwater, and recreational water needs. CONCERN: AN EXAMPLE OF YET MORE POORLY EXPRESSED LANGUAGE THAT SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE. WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘RECREATIONAL WATER NEEDS?’ ● 26.14 Managewater,stormwater,andwastewaterasthesamenaturalresourceincollaborationwithth e DWS, DEM, DPW, and DOH. ● 26.15 New developments should be designed to reduce water demand, retain runoff, decrease flooding, and recharge groundwater. ● 26.16 Supportlocalized,small-scalesolutionstowaterreuseandon-sitesystems. Actions 26.a In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conduct further research on localized rainfall modeling to accurately assess future precipitation trends. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 132 ● 26.b Expand water conservation programs, primarily aimed at reducing demand, such as leak detection, and rebates for low flow. ● 26.c Evaluate and amend the fee schedule for water use to take into account high water use and aquifer recharge projections. Use the funds generated to pay for conservation measures and infrastructure. ● 26.d Improve County water conservation practices to lead by example. ● 26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield, present and future demand, alternative sources of water, guidelines, and policies for the issuing of water commitments. ● 26.f Collaborate with the DOH to develop standards and/or guidelines for the construction and use of rainwater catchment systems to minimize the intrusion of any chemical and microbiological contaminants. ● 26.g Promote the use of groundwater sources to meet DOH water quality standards. ● 26.h Seek state and federal funds to assist in financing projects to bring the County into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. ● 26.i Explore the feasibility of incentive methods such as property tax deductions, conservation easements, or transfer of development rights to protect the defined zone of influence of existing or proposed public and private wells. AGAIN THIS SEEMS TO REFER VAGUELY TO THE PRIVATISATION OF WATER AND CONVERSELY TO PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY CONSIDERED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. UNDER A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM ONE COULD EASILY EXPECT THAT A GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CRAFTING POLICY IN SUCH A WAY THAT TRANSFER OF PROPERTY FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FACILITATED. ● 26.j Investigate alternative financing options for expanding water systems to support infill growth consistent with the County’s desired land use development pattern. AGAIN THIS IS A VAGUE REFERENCE WHEN THAT SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AMBIGUOUS AND THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES THE VALUE OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT. ● 26.k Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to develop, improve, and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. ● 26.l Continue to participate in the United States Geological Survey (USGS) exploratory well drilling program. ● 26.m Expand programs to provide agricultural irrigation water. One Water ● 26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial, industrial, and residential properties. ● 26.o Codify the administrative structure needed to develop a water resource program and interdepartmental collaboration framework. ● 26.p Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to develop and facilitate community partnerships between upstream and downstream communities. ● 26.q Develop public-private partnerships to leverage funding sources. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 133 Table 35: Water System Standards Domestic Consumption Guidelines Zoning Designation Residential: Single-Family or Duplex Multi-Family Commercial Resort Light Industry Schools and Parks Agriculture Average Daily Demand 400 gals/unit 400 gals/unit 3000 gals/acre 400 gals/unit or 17,000 gal/acre 4000 gals/acre 4000 gals/acre or 60 gals/student 3400 gals/acre 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 134 4.3.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse The General Plan recognizes the significance of wastewater treatment and reuse as essential components of the County’s comprehensive water management strategy. Adequate sewer systems are vital to maintain public health and protect the environment. As communities generate wastewater through various sources such as residential, commercial, and industrial activities, effective treatment is necessary to remove harmful pollutants and contaminants before the water is discharged back into the environment. Improperly treated wastewater can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, coastal waters, and freshwater resources, jeopardizing both human and ecological health. An adequate system minimizes contamination of both the groundwater supply and coastal waters, beaches, and waterborne recreational areas and is not a visual and odor nuisance. Land development plans for resort-residential complexes located in shoreline areas pose a potential water quality problem for adjacent near-shore waters. Adequate treatment facilities are essential prerequisites for development. HERE IN THIS DOCUMENT WITH NO REFERENCE TO BIO REMEDIATION AND WITH THE SHEER VOLUME OF HOUSEHOLDS OPERATING OFF GRID, THIS DOCUMENT IS CREATING ‘CRIME’ OUT OF REGULAR HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS. THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A POLICY DIRECTIVE TO MANDATE/ FORCE HOUSEHOLDS TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR RURAL ISLAND IS A VERY RECKLESS DIRECTION TO TAKE. REFER PREVIOUS COMMENTS 1) AN AUDIT SHOULD BE DONE OF THE CURRENT WASTEWATER DIVISION 2) ALTERNATIVE BIOREMEDIATION METHODS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FINDINGS PUBLISHED. MORE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IS NEEDED BEFORE THIS POLICY DIRECTIVE WOULD BE ADOPTED SINCE IT WILL LIKELY BRING GREAT FINANCIAL STRAIN TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS AND REQUIRE ONEROUS LEVELS OF ‘ENFORCEMENT.’ Wastewater reuse, also known as water recycling or reclaimed water, involves treating wastewater to a level suitable for non-potable uses. Reusing treated wastewater provides an opportunity to conserve precious freshwater resources and reduce the strain on existing water supplies. For Hawaiʻi Island, where freshwater resources are limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts, the implementation of wastewater reuse projects becomes vital for ensuring water sustainability. By implementing appropriate treatment processes, treated wastewater can be used for a range of purposes, including irrigation of agricultural lands, landscape irrigation, industrial processes, and groundwater recharge. This practice helps meet non-drinking water needs, reducing the reliance on freshwater sources for non-potable purposes and leaving more available for essential uses like drinking water. THERE IS NO MENTION HERE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MUST ACCOMPANY SUCH USES OF TREATED WASTEWATER. The County operates municipal sewerage in Hilo, Pāpaʻikou, Kapehu, Pepeʻekeo, Honokaʻa, Kealakehe, and Kaloko. The remaining communities are served by private wastewater treatment facilities or individual facilities, such as cesspools or septic tanks. In 2017, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed Act 125, mandating that all Hawaiʻi’s cesspools be replaced by 2050. Cesspools are substandard sewage disposal systems as they do not treat wastewater. According to the latest report on the Hawaiʻi Cesspool Hazard Assessment and Prioritization Tool, Hawaiʻi Island contains an estimated 48,596 cesspools. Sewerage disposal system designs must be examined with the particular region in mind. Of critical importance in an examination of sewerage disposal for a community is the cost of the system, including construction and operation costs. These costs vary with the characteristics of each area. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 legislated the protection of all aquifers or portions of aquifers currently serving as drinking water sources and any other aquifer capable of yielding consumable water. This mandate was based on a national concern for the quality of the groundwater and the increasing evidence of contamination of this valuable resource. In 1976, the State Legislature enacted Act 84, relating to safe drinking water, which requires the State Department of Health (DOH) to establish an underground injection control program to protect the quality of the State’s underground sources of drinking water. Because of the importance ofgroundwater as a source of municipal water supplies, the underground injection control program is considered a beneficial approach in the identification of aquifers that should be protected from subsurface disposal of wastewater through injection wells. HERE AGAIN THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE PRIMARY POLLUTER OF THE AQUIFER : THE MILITARY BASE ON POHAKULOA. THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF TESTING WATER QUALITY AND TESTING FOR CONTAMINANTS. THIS IS ANOTHER DIVISION OF OUR COUNTY THAT SHOULD BE AUDITED. WHY IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT A MILITARY POTENTIAL ‘SUPER FUND SITE’ OPERATING ABOVE A PRISTINE AQUIFER? The protection of these aquifers is established by designating areas currently being used or will be used in the future for drinking water supply. The Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW) will be protected from pollution by prohibiting the construction of new injection wells that may pollute the USDW. Injection wells are allowed in exempted areas. The boundary lines between the USDW and the exempted areas have been developed. ** PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION OR ELSE TAKE OUT THIS EXEMPTION REFERENCE. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE BETTER INFORMED UPON READING THIS PLAN, NOT LEFT IN THE DARK TO WONDER . Under Chapter 62, Wastewater Systems, the DOH adopted a 1,000-foot setback of wastewater systems from all public drinking water wells and springs. In compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92- 500), the DOH and the County jointly prepared the Water Quality Management Plan for Hawaiʻi County in 1978 and subsequently updated the plan in 1980. In 1979, the County Council adopted the plan through a resolution to serve as the planning guide for the development of regional waste treatment systems and the control of non- point sources of pollution. To implement the management plan, the County has prepared facility plans for various areas on the island. Facility plans are developed by the County to satisfy a requirement for the application of loans from the State to develop wastewater treatment facilities. The facility plans identify problems, potential solutions, and costs. In 1985, the State Legislature enacted Act 282, Relating to Environmental Quality, which reassigns the County, effective July 1, 1987, or upon receipt of State funds, to assume complete administration and implementation for the regulation of sewerage and wastewater treatment system programs. Source: Hawaiʻi News Now (2022). 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 136 Objective 27 Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality. Policies ● 27.1 A Sewerage Study for All Urban Areas, including appropriate water quality management strategies, shall be completed and used as guides for the general planning of sewerage disposal systems. ● 27.2 Private treatment systems shall be installed by land developers for major resorts and other developments along shorelines and sensitive higher inland areas, except where connection to nearby treatment facilities is feasible and compatible with the County’s long-range plans, and in conformance with State and County requirements. ● 27.3 Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant sites, sewerage pump station sites, and sewer easements according to the facility plans to facilitate their acquisition. ● 27.4 The County shall obtain State and Federal funds to finance the construction of proposed sewer systems and improve existing systems. ● 27.5 Plans for wastewater reclamation and reuse for irrigation and biosolids composting (remaining solids from the treatment of wastewater are processed into a reusable organic material) shall be utilized where topographically feasible and needed for landscaping, agricultural purposes, or fire protection. Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ● 27.6 Pollution shall be prevented, abated, and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal, State, and County standards. ● 27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas (UGA) with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. ● 27.8 The Department of Environmental Management and the Planning Department shall coordinate priorities before the adoption of any new wastewater development or land use plans. ● 27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion, improvements, and new development. ● 27.10 Ensurewastewaterfeesreflectactualcostsforservice,maintenance,andfutureimprovements. ● 27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies, prevent accidental leaks or spills, and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting natural resources. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ● 27.12 Striveforanintegratedapproachtostormwaterandwastewater,andwaterresourcemanageme nt that is comprehensive and as efficient as possible. ● 27.13 Encourageon-sitewaterreusesolutionsforlargedevelopments. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 137 27.14 Encourageandincentivizethecollectionofrainfallfornon-potableuse. 27.15 PrioritizetheuseofgraywaterinareasconnectedtoCountywaterandnotconnectedtoCounty wastewater. Actions Wastewater and Environmental Quality Prioritization ● 27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. ● 27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district (CFD) or tax increment financing (TIF) to aid in implementation. ● 27.c Review, assess, and amend Codes relating to sewer connection requirements to ensure wastewater issues and requirements are addressed in a consistent, sustainable, and socially equitable way. ● 27.d Develop a wastewater master plan with a clear prioritization method for wastewater system expansions and improvements based on criteria involving land use, projected growth, social equity, and environmental factors. ● 27.e Develop plans to improve, connect, or develop new wastewater systems in unsewered urban coastal communities. ● 27.f Perform a study to assess individual wastewater systems (IWS) in unsewered urban growth areas to assess the rate of failures/negative impacts, determine rates of large capacity cesspools still in use, and develop plans to improve, connect, or develop new wastewater systems for unsewered urban communities. ● 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for public-private partnerships for wastewater collection and treatment development. ● 27.h Facilitate the use of infrastructure improvement districts and other types of localized funding mechanisms to fund improvements. ● 27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. ● 27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water model fee structure). ● 27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems. Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries, urban zoning and density, population trends and anticipated growth, health/safety, and environmental factors. ● 27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. ● 27.m Amend the County Code, Section 21-26-1(a) requiring “all sewer extensions shall be approved by resolution of the County council” to read, “all sewer extensions outside of Urban Growth Areas shall be approved by resolution of the County council.” REFERRING AGAIN TO CONCERNS THAT THIS IS AN UNFEASIBLE COST TO REGULAR HOUSEHOLDS. THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING POLICY DIRECTIVE AND AS ACKNOWLEDGED HERE, MORE STUDIES WOULD BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING SUCH POLICIES.. SO WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS EMPHASIS IN THE GENERAL PLAN ? 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 138 ● 27.n In collaboration with the DOH Wastewater Branch, reevaluate and clarify the requirements set forth in Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR), Section 11-62-31.1(a) (1) (B) and amend County sewer requirements accordingly to accommodate needed housing units. ● 27.o Collaborate with the DOH to advance progressive wastewater technology and regulations. One Water-Recycled Water Expansion ● 27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. ● 27.q Install non-potable systems, such as reclaimed wastewater, brackish groundwater, and untreated surface water in proximity to priority UGAs for non-potable water uses. ● 27.r Conduct supply and demand studies to determine a level of service for non-potable water needs. ● 27.s Facilitate greywater reuse systems through code amendments and through partnering with DOH for regulatory changes and incentives. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 139 4.3.5 Stormwater Infiltration and Green Infrastructure Stormwater management and the implementation of green infrastructure are critical elements of the General Plan for their vital role in sustainability on Hawaiʻi Island. As an island ecosystem with limited freshwater resources and vulnerable coastal areas, managing stormwater effectively and integrating green infrastructure practices are essential for preserving our water resources and ensuring environmental sustainability. Stormwater refers to the runoff from precipitation that flows over land surfaces, eventually entering water bodies such as streams, rivers, and oceans. Stormwater is a crucial element of the island’s overall water landscape. While precipitation may be an obvious contributor to stormwater, all the phases of the hydrologic cycle are related to stormwater and are influenced by public utility decisions made in the built environment. Precipitation and surface runoff are often the phases of the hydrologic cycle that people recognize as stormwater, whereas evaporation, transpiration, and condensation are not as easily observed processes. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can lead to various detrimental effects on water resources and ecosystems. Polluted runoff, also known as nonpoint source pollution, from agriculture, urban development, forestry, recreational boating, marinas, and hydromodification activities is the leading cause of water pollution in waters across the country and in Hawaiʻi. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can also lead to localized flooding, causing damage to infrastructure, property, and even loss of life. Implementing stormwater management strategies helps to control the flow of stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding and associated hazards. Moreover, excessive stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion, leading to the loss of fertile topsoil, sedimentation in water bodies, and degradation of natural habitats. Proper stormwater management practices, including erosion control measures, help minimize erosion and preserve the island’s natural resources. Stormwater is a prime example of the unavoidable connections that exist between the built environment and the natural environment. Increasing the opportunities for infiltration and transpiration can reduce the amount of evaporation that surface runoff requires. The social, environmental, and economic impacts of stormwater infrastructure have meaningful implications for our overall island sustainability as water is one of the most precious resources. Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Engineering efficiency in conveying stormwater runoff using impervious surfaces (e.g., paved swales, channelized streams) must be balanced against environmental considerations. If the drainage is directed to streams, excessive freshwater volumes and sediment loads may impact coastal water resources (e.g., degrade water quality and smother coral reefs). If the drainage is directed to injection wells, more studies are needed to determine the impact of storm runoff on groundwater quality. Sediment basins, wetlands, or less impervious methods of conveyance (e.g., grass swales) should be considered where feasible to reduce nonpoint source pollution of the coastal waters from stormwater runoff and filter infiltrating water. Green infrastructure refers to the network of natural or engineered features that manage stormwater while providing additional benefits to the environment and community. Such features may include rain gardens, permeable pavement, bioswales, and vegetated buffers. Green infrastructure is crucial for stormwater management, as it captures and absorbs runoff, reducing the volume and rate of runoff. By mimicking natural hydrological processes like sediment filtration and bioremediation, it helps to recharge groundwater, replenish streams, and 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 140 reduce stress on our water resources during periods of heavy rainfall. CONCERN: HERE AT LEAST WE SEE REFERENCES TO BIOREMEDIATION. WHY IS THIS ‘ACCEPTABLE’ AS A STRATEGY WHERE TREATMENT OF WATER RUN OFF IS CONCERNED BUT NEVER ENTERTAINED IN THE MATTER OF RAW SEWAGE TREATMENT (A ‘SOLUTION’ AND POLICY DIRECTIVE HERE WHICH THREATENS TO BE COST PROHIBITIVE TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS? ) By retaining and infiltrating stormwater, green infrastructure reduces the reliance on freshwater sources for irrigation, thus conserving water resources. This is particularly important for our island communities where freshwater availability is limited. Green infrastructure features may also provide habitats for native plants and wildlife. They contribute to biodiversity conservation and help restore and enhance Hawaiʻi Island’s natural ecosystems. Green infrastructure plays a key part in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, moderating temperatures, and increasing resilience to extreme weather events. These measures align with the County’s sustainability goals and efforts to adapt to climate change. 4.3 Public Utilities | County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 141 Page 166 34.15 Encourage the expansion of digital access and equity through the resilient buildout of broadband infrastructure and facilities. Does this take into account the safety of 5G+? Is this to facilitate surveillance of citizens in the future? Page167 34.a Implement a Safe Route to School (SR2S) program for all schools. Will surveillance be implemented to ensure safety? Page169 4.4.6 Recreation Housing developers should not bear a disproportionate burden, or be forced to contribute more than their fair share, as inequitable requirements could deter needed housing development. This proviso seems to favor developers. Page171 35.a Provide funding for planning and acquisition,if necessary, of key corridor segments after corridor-zone plans are adopted. Does this preclude the rezoning and acquisition of private property? 35.k Maintain an on-going program of identification, designation, and acquisition of areas with existing or potential recreational resources, such as land with sandy beaches and other prime areas for shoreline recreation in collaboration with government, private and non profit agencies, and other stakeholders. Please include private property owners in your definition of stakeholders. Page 175 4.4.7 Encouraging the establishment of farmers’ markets, community gardens, and a range of agricultural activities can promote local food production and improve access to fresh nutritious food. Please include home gardens. Page 177 36.g Support the distribution of telehealth support services, particularly to unserved and underserved communities. Encourage instead person to person contact. 36.j Amend the County Code to designate a lead agency for coordinating and responding to outbreaks of life-threatening, highly communicable diseases pursuant to the DOH direction. While ensuring the statues of the Nuremberg Code are observed. Page 179 4.5.1 Blueprint for the creation of a 15 minute island, clustering us together in “a centralized, higher-density urban infill, supported by nearby, accessible public and private services and facilities.” Page 181 Under Housing Challenges Targets: “Homeownership for investment purposes that are kept vacant or used for transient accommodation rentals reduces available stock for long term resident ownership and rental opportunities.” Prohibits and discourages the rights of private ownership. Page 182 37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UBG) should be prioritized for residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside the UBG are converted into urban uses. With the consent of property owner should be included. Page183 38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory program that monitors existing housing. 38.a Perform existing housing inventory data analysis to identify structural conditions and needs for rehabilitation or demotion. Both justify the necessity of more surveillance of the community. 38.a also precludes the private property owner’s rights and opinions. Take this out or revise. Page 184 39.5 Allow for and apply property tax and land use regulations to incentivize private property owners to provide affordable housing units in mix-use and urban areas and to discentivize the land banking of unimproved properties. In other words land use regulations and property tax hikes will be weaponized against the private property owner. TAke this out or revise! Page185 Table 40: Additional Infrastructure - Provide adequate broadband without invading people’s privacy. Ensuring future surveillance capabilities? Page188 40.8 Require all County Departments to collaborate with the County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) as the lead agency to ensure the integration of the County’s goals of sustainability, climate resilience, and equity into all county operations and planning initiatives. To whom does OSCER answer? Who’s watching the watchdog? THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023. IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC AS AN AGENCY THAT COULD ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE GRANTED EXTRA POWERS AS AN ADMIINISTRATIVE ARM OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WE SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO THE LANGUAGE ‘REQUIRING’ ‘ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS’ TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSCER. THE COUNTY’S ‘GOALS’ OF sustainability, climate resilience, and equity HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY DEBATED IN OUR COMMUNITY . WE CHALLENGE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS ON THIS MATTER AND WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE OSCER ‘AGENCY’ TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE ABOVE. WE SPECIFICALLY CHALLENGE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO STAGE A FULL PUBLIC REVIEW OF BOTH SETS OF DATA AND BOTH ARGUMENTS THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE CRISIS CAUSED BY CARBON THE ‘Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER)’ BEGINS WITH A FLAWED AND DISPUTED PREMISE THAT THERE IS A CLIMATE ‘CRISIS’ AND THAT THE OTHER 3 ‘PILLARS’ OF THE ORGANIZATION (SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY AND RESILLIENCE) BELONG TOGETHER AS PART OF A ‘SOLUTION.’ WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘SUSTAINABILITY’ IS THAT THIS WORD LEADS THE IDENTICAL AGENDAS OF CONTROLLING LAND USE, WATER RIGHTS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACE, THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL, FARMING AND PASTURING OF ANIMALS AND FOOD SECURITY. THESE BUZZWORDS ARE COMING FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND THE UNITED NATIONS. ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION AND ‘NET ZERO’ PROMOTE A DANGEROUS AGENDA OF OVERRIDING SOVEREIGN HOME RULE LOCAL COUNTIES AND STATES AND REPLACING WITH ‘GLOBAL AGENDAS’ WHICH ARE BRINGING IN ‘COMMUNIST’ VALUES AND SYSTEMS OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DESTRUCTION OF SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSETS. WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT THE BUZZ WORD ‘EQUITY’ IS THAT IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING A WAY OF WAVING ON A COMMUNIST STYLE OF ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS WHICH PROMOTES LARGER PORTION OF THE POPULATION BEING ON WELFARE AND DIVERSITY HIRE PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE MEDIOCRITY AND NOT MERITOCRACY. THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ ALSO HAS COME TO BE ANOTHER ‘BUZZ WORD’ THAT IS A RATIONALE FOR THE CATCH PHRASE ‘BUILD BACK BETTER’ AND THE IDEA THAT MORE RIGOROUS BUILDING CODES, MORE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE BUILDING COSTS AND INSURANCE COSTS WILL FOLLOW IN THE AFTERMATH OF EACH ‘DISASTER.’ ELSEWHERE IN THIS DOCUMENT THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE PREMISE THAT THE RECENT FIRE IN LAHAINA WAS ‘NORMAL’ AND THAT THE RESULTING LOCKDOWNS AND FAILURE OF GREEN ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS TO REBUILD ARE ALSO ‘NORMAL.’ TO THE CONTRARY, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN LAHAINA FOR THE PAST 13 MONTHS EXEMPLIFIES THE WAY THAT THE WORD ‘RESILIENCE’ HAS COME TO MEAN ‘CONTROL OF A POPULATION AFTER A DISASTER TO THE POINT THAT MANY WILL BE DISPLACED AND WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE THE AREA, FINDING NO WAY TO REBUILD AND RESTORE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOOODS.’ Page194 Resulting in Longer Commutes: There are notable mismatches between locations of high population and job centers. Further justification for clustering in population centers. Further policy directive to justify curtailing personal independent transportation options. This again is objectionable and shows contempt for a fundamental constitutional right and as such has no place in a policy document published by this County Administration. Page 196 Table 43:Economic Opportunities / General Increase broadband infrastructure to provide opportunities for participation in the digital economy while allowing for other economic alternatives. CBDC’s here we come! Page 206 46.i Partner with government, private and non profit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders for carrying capacity studies of fisheries and the establishment of State community-based subsistence fishing areas. More restrictions on fishing rights. Oddly in 5.3 Agriculture and Food Systems there is no mention at all of hunting and gathering. Page 210 Wahi Pana Need assurances our wahi pana and other natural assets will be protected from commodification and collateralization. Page 213 49.1 [Encourage the] [i]ntegrat[ion] [of] ʻāina- place-based values 49.2 [Encourage] the accessibility 49.3 [Promote] a visitor industry 49.5 [Encourage] regenerative tourism efforts 49.6 [Foster] initiatives and improve[d] efforts 49.h and farmers, homeowners, and other residents to develop and support place-based educational programs COMMENT: FINALLY HERE IS A DIRECTIVE THAT SPEAKS TO SUPPORTING THE EXISTING ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE ON THIS ISLAND. THE FACT THAT THIS IS SHOWING UP ON PAGE 214 SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ANYONE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS SUPPOSED TO GUIDE THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE. THE OPENING SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE EXISTING CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF THE ISLAND. THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT AND HELP GROW IN THIS AREA WOULD BE ALL Page 215 6.1 para 2 presenting [residents a true voice] for the future of Hawaii Island. 1 [where citizens collaborate with the County to effect change consistent with plans developed under this chapter.] 3 Ensure consistency among the General Plan and respective regional plans [What are regional plans?] 4 set forth in the General Plan’s [Should this be plural or possessive?] 5 Establish an implementation system that is based on county-wide, regional, and agency levels [What are regional and agency levels?] Page 216 Top para by promoting [economic] growth, 2nd para collaboration among various [residents] “ Key areas of focus include fostering [understanding of the role of government in] ensuring community engagement and input, securing funding, and coordinating priorities. Page217 6.2.1 Para 1 Community Development Plan Framework During the General Plan Comprehensive Review process, existing community plans were used to guide the CDP framework. From the adoption of the Kona, Puna, North and South Kohala CDPs in 2008, Kaʻū CDP in 2017, and Hāmākua CDP in 2018, there has been much to learn and grow from as we look to the future. The General Plan also benefited from years of collective participation in CDP implementation efforts through regional committees that implement their respective CDP. [NOTE: Hilo was not included in this CFP framework. Although there had been Hilo meetings in the past that dealt with some issues contained in the General Plan, no mechanism was put in place that paralleled the multi-year single-purpose work that was undertaken in the other six districts.] Para 2 To build on these lessons learned, future CDPs[, which it is hoped will include a CDP for Hilo,] shall be drafted The purpose of a CDP is threefold: 3. Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue [through open-forum townhalls where vigorous question-answer format is primary, eliciting the priorities of the community.] Page 218 6. Social Capital and Community Network Mapping During the process of reviewing a Community Development Plan, instances where community needs are not met may be identified. Examples of this may include a need for community gathering spaces such as parks or recreation hubs. Community Development Plans may identify such needs and outline a plan of action for community members and other [Hawaii Island residents] to coordinate efforts, combine and collect resources, and connect public and private sector agents to advocate for such enhancements to their community. [In the case of Hilo, where a CDP was never initiated by the Planning Department, an examination of why this was neglected must be addressed, for the purpose of getting input from this district even though the General Plan may have been already implemented. This could be accomplished through addendums to the General Plan at future dates.] Page 224 6.4.3 Para 1 The General Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide [innovative] development patterns, [and provide assistance toward] future opportunities and public investments. Para 3 The tables are intended to provide a clear and concise reference for agencies, policymakers, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents Page 225 Table 45 Climate change, carbon footprint, net zero,GHG emissions, green infrastructure projects, climate adaptation The above terms, taken from Table 45, derive from the United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development, inaugurated in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Residents of Hawaii Island have never had the opportunity to engage in discussions in every town, using every venue, to discuss the entire subject of climate change. It is a foundational subject, as it is the substrate upon which so much of the General Plan is predicated. It is un-Democratic to simply take ideas from other places and cement them into the plans we make for our own people, our own land, our own island, without engaging in an unhurried, full-blown examination of this agenda, neighbor with neighbor. Until such time as this takes place, we must place this draft of a General Plan on hold. Table 46 Objectives 13. Increase the use of Smart Growth principles to focus development within designated urban centers. As above, SMART is an acronym taken from the World Economic Forum that pertains to Internet-Of-Things technology. Its purpose is linkage of devices for the purpose of control and monitoring. No island-wide discussion has taken place as to the merits of SMART GROWTH. Again, it is a concept from far away, irreversible once implemented, without so much as a real attempt to inform residents. How can a General Plan proceed on concepts alien to the people? Table 47 21. [Engineer infrastructure] to reduce stormwater runoff. Page 227 Table 48 25. Improve the efficiency and reliability, and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. 28. Increase green infrastructure practices. Example Indicators Annual funding allocated for [efficient] infrastructure initiatives Percentage of new development projects including [efficient] infrastructure elements Table 49 Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure P232 6.4.4 1.a Seek [procedure] to support wetland identification and assessments. 1.j Identify partners and [S]upport a public awareness and education campaign to elevate recognition of the value of urban trees as essential infrastructure. 3.b Create special (business) improvement districts to engage in environmental research, restoration and maintenance, natural resource management, climate change or sea level rise adaptation or other purposes to improve environmental conditions and provide community benefit. 4.a [Seek Hawaii Island residents and groups] to maintain and steward the preservation of sites, buildings, objects, and landscapes of significant cultural and historical importance. 4.c Support the identification of Heritage Landscapes, Corridors, Areas, and Centers. Heritage designation is UNESCO. It is crucial that Hawaii Island maintain control of its lands and natural resources, free of encumbrances of global organizations 4.h [Foment discussion among] government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners, and other residents 4.i private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders farmers, homeowners, and other residents Table 54: Climate Change [Delete Table 54: Climate Change has not been debated across Hawaii County in a systematic way. Such a debate would entail townhall presentations by each side, allowing all the time necessary to absorb the decades of information circulating through media and academia. At some later time, these information-gathering events could then be followed by public open debates. Hawaii Island residents at that juncture would then be ready to decide whether they wished to premise all future growth on the notion of Climate Change, or reject it as unscientific.] 240 Table 56 Transportation Access and Mobility 20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. [Complete Streets derives from Agenda 21’s SMART Cities designation. It has nothing to do with residents of Hawaii Island, until such time as they can be apprised of the overall design of Agenda 21, as it entails constricting traffic, expanding bike lanes and bus routes, installing islands - many changes that may or may not be workable. Hilo and Kona have very different requirements, and a cookie-cutter approach levels differences. Just because it is recommended by a national or international association does not mean it is suitable here. Again, it must be thoroughly discussed across the island before a decision can be made.] 22.a Amend the County Code to incorporate Vision Zero safety principles and Complete Street design principles. [Vision Zero, as stated above with Complete Streets, is an internationally utilized approach to pedestrian safety that first needs a full discussion here to see to what extent it is workable, if at all.] 243-255 27.d social equity, [No relevance to this category] 27.g Proactively seek opportunities for [strategies] for wastewater collection and treatment development. 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low impact development. 28.f Create a green infrastructure dedication standard. 28.l Identify County parks and recreation, rights-of-way, and other County owned sites for green infrastructure demonstration projects 29.a Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents for the research and development of alternative/renewable energy resources. 30.d Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities and other [Hawaii Island residents] 30.i [Encourage private] funding for broadband initiatives and deployments. 30.m Foster [private investments] to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, 32.c Review county lighting and landscaping ordinances to implement CPTED. CPTED is a component of a SMART City that watches, listens, announces, tracks, records. It is a creation of Agenda 21 and the WEF and the UN. It must be rejected by the residents of Hawaii Island unless/until it is thoroughly discussed and debated. 32.p This point to be deleted [ In light of the controversy in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, to be formulating a redevelopment plan, IN ADVANCE of an incident, creates a climate of distrust and anger. This subject must be handled very carefully in discussions with groups and individuals across the island.] 35.c Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 35.d Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 35.i government, private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 35.k private and nonprofit agencies, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 36.d communities, and other farmers, homeowners, and other residents 36.f communities, and other farmers, homeowners, and other residents Page 254 45.k Partner with government (e.g., DOT, DBEDT, etc.), private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents to monitor 45.l Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies (e.g., business associations, realtors, chambers of commerce, etc.), communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents 45.m expand the research and development industry for [innovative] economic development. 46.i private and nonprofit agencies, communities, farmers, homeowners, and other residents Mahalo, ________/s/______ Cindy Freitas From:Sherilyn Wells To:Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony;Onishi, Dennis; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:Additional testimony re proposed 2045 plan for Hawai"i County. March 2025 hearing. Date:Sunday, March 9, 2025 10:26:04 PM Attachments:20200403_SARS_CoV_Patent_Corpus_Lit_Review.pdfHawaii General Plan Proposed Changes 2025 comments by Sherilyn Wells January 2025(4)(2).docProposed 2045 Plan for Hawai.doc Sherilyn Wells March 2025 testimony on the proposed 2045 Plan, supplement to January 2025testimony. Many people have already offered expert testimony and very perceptive criticism of this Plan.Rather than repeat their observations, for this second submission I have chosen to go beneaththe surface, to reveal the nature of the underlying system, the organizations and people, thatappear to be the engine behind many, if not all, of the Plan concepts. Let’s bring everything into the light: “The phrase "sunlight is the best disinfectant" is awell-known quote by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, which he usedmetaphorically to emphasize the importance of transparency and openness in society andgovernance.” FULL TEXT in attachment - Proposed 2045 Plan for Hawaii. Sherilyn Wells March 2025 testimony on the proposed 2045 Plan, supplement to January2025 testimony. Many people have already offered expert testimony and very perceptive criticism of thisPlan.Rather than repeat their observations, for this second submission I have chosen to gobeneath the surface, to reveal the nature of the underlying system, the organizations andpeople, that appear to be the engine behind many, if not all, of the Plan concepts. Let’s bring everything into the light: “The phrase "sunlight is the best disinfectant" is awell-known quote by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, which he usedmetaphorically to emphasize the importance of transparency and openness in society andgovernance.” I. RESPONSE REQUIRED as per HRS §226-109(9) – page 2 II. ARE YOU PREPARED TO ADDRESS ONE VERY REAL (SUPER WEALTHY)ISSUE? – page 3 III. PRO FORMA vs. REALLY INCORPORATING TESTIMONY – HOW WILLTHIS PROCESS END? – page 3 IV. HALT THE SLIDE INTO A “WEF GREAT RESET CLONE” PLAN – page 4 V. DR DAVID MARTIN ON TRIGGERS USED TO CALL FOR THE GREAT RESET– page 5 VI. PYRAMID – page 5 VII. USING CRISES – page 6 VIII. WHERE’S HOMEOWNER? – page 6 IX. HAPPINESS, PROPERTY, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – page 7 X. PROPERTY AND PERSONHOOD BY MARGARET JANE RADIN – page 8 XI. CONNECTING STAKEHOLDERS TO COVID/CRISIS (WEF) – page 8 XII. WEF: COVID WAS A LITMUS TEST FOR “STAKEHOLDER CAPITALISM” –page 9 XIII. DR DAVID MARTIN’S RESEARCH – page 9 XIV. THE COVID ORCHESTRA INCLUDES WEF – NAMING NAMES. page 11 XV. MEDIA OWNERSHIP DICTATES CONTENT (Manipulation System Mouthpiece– MSM) – page 12 XVI. PHILANTHROPY.. or is it? PUBLIC RETENTION OF POWER. - page 14 XVII. ARTFUL LANGUAGE ON BEHALF OF DECEPTION – page 14 XVIII. LIFE EXPERIENCE – page 14 XIX. Hawai’i General Plan re Proposed Changes in 2025 – Submission Number One(January 2025) – page 15 XX. Article - Editor of major newspaper says he planted stories for CIA – page 28 XXI. Article - Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names and Faces of the People Who AreKilling Humanity; Red Pill Expo, November 19, 2021 – page 31 XXII. Article - TRANSCRIPT Of Dr David E. Martin's Speech At The European UnionParliament, Covid Summit, MAY 2023 – page 39 XXIII. Article - Breaking The WEF Matrix: How To Resist The Great Reset - page 45 I. RESPONSE REQUIRED as per HRS §226-109(9) I am including my January testimony again re the requirement, as per HRS §226-109 (9)(a statute cited in the Plan), for a response to this new information on the topic of climatechange.HRS §226-109(9) - Use management and implementation approaches that encourage thecontinual collection, evaluation, and integration of new information and strategies intonew and existing practices, policies, and plans; and The 2045 Plan language does not reflect the broader, more scientific nature ofcomprehensive (not limited to alleged anthropogenic) climate change studies, aswell as noting where there are uncertainties or deficiencies in the data andconclusions.It does not reflect where there is professional dissent (reminiscent of thecensorship/exclusion of professional Covid dissent at the beginning).It does not address studies that show positive effects from increasing CO2.The Plan does not address the missing elements and inabilities of climate changemodeling systems.The Plan does not address the emergence of new energy systems, already patented,awaiting sufficient political support for their release, systems that will NOTintroduce greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Relevant terms like Zero Pointand Free Energy, etc., are nowhere in the Plan. II. ARE YOU PREPARED TO ADDRESS ONE VERY REAL (SUPER WEALTHY)ISSUE? Given the great transfer of wealth during Covid[1], from the lower and middle class intoa growing group of (existing and) newly created super wealthy… Where is the REAL (no holds barred) discussion re robust, community-driven solutionsto -address affordability and availability of housing ownership when wealthycorporations/individuals buy up properties well above market value, putting homeownership even further out of reach for the “average” local resident andsignificantly altering the property taxes of surrounding homeowners (a backdoorapproach to gradually, financially forcing them out, too?) - PAGE 181 – HousingChallenges; a discussion about how to protect the integrity and the “fabric” of communitieswhen local businesses who have been a part of the community, some for decades orlonger, are suddenly closed down after wealthy corporations/individuals buy up theland beneath them; a discussion about how much disproportionate influence we can then expect thesesuper wealthy “stakeholders” to have on our community development andplanning processes, including via their public/private projects (see who comprisesthe WEF Great Reset stakeholders in footnote 3 – hint – it’s NOT the averageperson). And take the verb “improving” (quote below) with a huge grain of salt… “One of the stated aims of the WEF is that it will be “…committed toimproving the state of the world through public-private cooperation.”https://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ CONCLUSION: MISSING from the plan: this issue of the SUPER WEALTHY and their impact on ourisland, our ohana, our community. More below on the need for private/public partnership transparency at the inception of any process. III. PRO FORMA vs. REALLY INCORPORATING TESTIMONY – HOW WILLTHIS PROCESS END? I’ve attended many meetings where it was clear that hearings were “pro forma,” donefor the purpose of fulfilling a legal or statutory requirement, but without any intention ofactually reflecting on, of incorporating or integrating, any testimony that goes contraryto the plan that’s already been chosen behind closed doors. Donna Thompson of Waimea, whose excellent testimony I herein incorporate via reference,has made similar observations. IV. HALT THE SLIDE INTO A “WEF GREAT RESET CLONE” PLAN You can still step back from this slippery slope and HALT THE SLIDE towards theultimate result of creating, in “2045,” a WEF-Great-Reset-like plan (Agenda 21, as perMs. Thompson), but it may well require refusing to let this island’s backroom powerplayers have their way and empowering the people instead. In June 2019, the WEFsigned a Strategic Partnership Framework agreement withthe United Nations. The WEF and the UN agreed to collaboratively “acceleratethe implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: milestones to complete the UN’s plan for the 21st century, also known as Agenda 21 – theUN’s vision for a centrally managed global society. The policies required toachieve these sustainable development goals (SDGs) are developed by the multi-stakeholder partnership. https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset Even in the face of growing widespread opposition, governments are pursuingWEF’s strategy as it is no secret that the international organisation has managedto infiltrate them through its Young Global Leaders.https://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ In his book, Kahn explores subverting democracy by training a certain group insociety as potential leaders, with those pre-selected few groomed for power beingable to define what our shared values as a society should be. Sound familiar?Today’s World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader scheme is the exactmanifestation of his original proposal. In essence, they will hold all the cards,whilst the common people will be left with illusory pseudo-democratic processes,poverty, and constant absurd psychological operations (PSYOPs) to sow chaosand distract us all unceasingly. https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset Sidenote – one of my Waimea friends recently asked the Mayor if this plan will goforward regardless of all the citizen opposition and the Mayor’s reply was that weDON’T have to adopt the 2045 Plan.. (Now THERE’s a concept.) Just remember – WEF’s oh-so-well-crafted rhetoric (the velvet glove) seldom matches their intended outcome (the iron fist inside the glove).[2] Focus group research anddecades of mind control research by our government and universities give these elite groups “pathways into persuasion” that don’t have to reflect reality. 1. Velvet glove – Covid concerns. 2. Velvet glove – climate change* concerns (*the erroneous WEF-type – see my Januarytestimony about a more comprehensive and scientific approach). 3. Iron fist – control over the public. SMART city – Surveilling the Masses And Restricting Transactions (thanks to China forshowing us the reality, within a “SMART” city, of consequences for failure to followprescribed social actions). V. DR DAVID MARTIN ON TRIGGERS USED TO CALL FOR THE GREAT RESET Refer to Dr. David Martin’s research and information, included below, in which hepresents the evidence for WEF’s disingenuous history with Covid and the experimentalinjection (which they secretly co-participated in creating, then used as a rationale forlaunching their Great Reset). WEF is NOW using “climate change” as the new, post-Covid driver to impose theircontrol agenda. Notice how much the deliberately limited, non-comprehensive, WEF version of “climatechange” is used in this 2045 plan. Why use something so flawed, unless it was in serviceto an agenda, ergo NOT a commitment to best available science? See my January testimony for a more science-based consideration of climate change. VI. PYRAMID Therefore, this plan is a pyramid attempting to look like a level playing field, in which the pyramid’s capstone will be a small cadre of “stakeholders[3]” (WEF term, used 86times in the proposed plan) and many of the goals (and omissions) look remarkablysimilar to the WEF Great Reset. For instance, observe this Plan-consultant’s profile:Consultants, Page 2; Page 86, footnote 3 – SMART GROWTH AMERICASmart Growth America focuses on three specific priorities: Climate change andresilience, advancing racial equity, and creating healthy communities. https://smartgrowthamerica.org/our-work/ Great Reset – a globalist-driven initiative to establish Schwab’s visionof stakeholder capitalism, where corporations are positioned as “trustees ofsociety” to address the world’s economic and social woes.https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset Therefore, it is important to now address WEF as the background basis for 2045’scharacteristics, in the hopes that the 2045 planners might want to seriously reconsiderwhether taking cues – covertly - from WEF is truly in the best interests of the people ofthis island, this state. And here’s why… VII. USING CRISES Unfortunately, WEF history is typically that of pursuing more centralized control of andpower over the individual, the public, regardless of deceptive rhetoric claimingotherwise. The opportunistic use and/or deliberate creation of “crises”[4] are a common tool forexpanding control (see WEF articles on taking advantage of Covid to advancestakeholder capitalism). A more sinister aspect of the WEF/Covid connection is revealed by Dr. David Martin’sresearch, which will be referenced below (see also Footnote 4). VIII. WHERE’S HOMEOWNER? WEF’s 2018 Predictions for 2030: “You’ll own nothing. And you’ll be happy.”[5] It is telling that THE TERM “STAKEHOLDER” IN THE 2045 PLAN’S GLOSSARYDOES NOT EXPLICITLY INCLUDE HOMEOWNER, nor do we find HOMEOWNERelsewhere in the document. In litigation citing a statute or code, the deliberate absence ofa term is considered dispositive. In this plan, there are:EIGHTY-SIX (86) matches for STAKEHOLDER. ZERO (0) matches for HOMEOWNER (although Homeownership does show up twice).There are also NO matches for SELF SUFFICIENT, which is a cornerstone of howpeople are better able to weather change and maintain their freedom and personalpower. Coincidence? Freedom is the greatest fruit of self-sufficiency. Epicurus IX. HAPPINESS, PROPERTY, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT This article reviews the WEF’s 2018 prediction for 2030 - “You’ll own nothing. Andyou’ll be happy” - and finds property ownership to be a cornerstone of personalhappiness. A future with no individual ownership is not a happy one: Property theory showswhy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328723001131 The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living froma small piece of land. Abraham Lincoln Notice that “..the pursuit of happiness” was considered a self-evident truth andunalienable RIGHT, important enough by the founders of this nation to be mentioned inthe preamble of one of our country’s foundational documents. Therefore, happiness of the people is an important benchmark indicating “success” as further development of our island communities takes place. “You’ll own nothing. And you’ll be happy.” This prediction, based on just one ofeight made by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) network of Global FutureCouncils (Parker, 2016), assumed this expression in a video produced by the WEF in November 2016. As a tool intended to disseminate its content, the video was published both to the WEF’s own website4 and its Facebook page,5 and was then shared across other media platforms… Very few of the comments6 could be characterised as being in any sense positivetoward the prediction. After the WEF announced its ‘Great Reset’ agenda to the world in June 2020(Schwab, 2020), reaction to the prediction became stronger and louder still. COVID-19 was identified as the principal reason for pursuing the agenda, but the WEF claimed that it also addressed the “…climate and social crises” emerging evenbefore the pandemic’s onset (Schwab, 2020). A diverse cross-section of concerned citizenry across the world was, however, havingnone of it. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328723001131 X. PROPERTY AND PERSONHOOD BY MARGARET JANE RADIN Margaret Jane Radin is known for her influential article "Property and Personhood,"which was published in the Stanford Law Review in 1982. This article has been cited over 700 times and has been recognized as one of the 100 mostcited law review articles of all time. In this article, Radin argues that individuals require secure control over certain aspectsof their external environment in the form of property rights to achieve proper self-development or personhood. She also discusses how property rights for personhood serve as a justification forproperty rights in general and for some current schemes of property entitlement. In the article Professor Radin makes a compelling case that proper self-development, orpersonhood, requires individuals to have secure control over certain things—e.g., one’shome residence—in their external environment in the form of property rights. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45457879_Property_and_Personhood_Revisited XI. CONNECTING STAKEHOLDERS TO COVID/CRISIS (WEF) The changes we have already seen in response to COVID-19 prove that a reset of oureconomic and social foundations is possible. This is our best chance to instigate stakeholder capitalism - and here's how it can beachieved. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/06/now-is-the-time-for-a-great-reset/ XII. WEF: COVID WAS A LITMUS TEST FOR “STAKEHOLDER CAPITALISM” According to WEF, Covid 19 is a litmus test for stakeholder capitalism – with remotelytracking people and remote teaching lauded by WEF as great examples of how acompany can meet that stakeholder capitalism goal.https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/03/covid-19-is-a-litmus-test-for-stakeholder-capitalism/By contrast, other companies used profits to invest in digital transformation, talent,research and development, and their customer relations. That now gives them anability to react that other companies lack. Microsoft, for example, ranked first inJUST Capital’s stakeholder companies ranking, is a collaborator on Johns Hopkins’coronavirus tracker, and is providing teachers with access and training for its Teamsprogram to teach remotely. It can do so because of its business model, but alsobecause its stakeholders expect it to step up at times such as these. XIII. DR DAVID MARTIN’S RESEARCH Dr. David Martin[6] was able, thanks to his remarkable CV and decades of investigativework for the government, to track patents and the history of Covid. See attached document - 20200403_SARS_CoV_Patent_Corpus_Lit_Review.pdf. The perpetrators’ (including WEF) shocking willingness to inflict harm via the Covidexperience (see Dr. David Martin’s Red Pill Expo, November 19, 2021, talk in the video link[7]) is in utter/complete antagonism to Hawai’i’s values of ALOHA, as described in the state statute.[8] And remember, WEF used Covid to trot out The Great Reset, whichthis 2045 Plan emulates. As Dr. Martin points out, if any of his facts are false, he could be sued. And no one has… The following quote should be a massive wakeup call to the public re those behind theunleashing of Covid and the experimental injections: "So .. the fact of the matter is, they actually stated in 2014 that this was aboutinvestors responding if they see profit at the end of the process."Dr. David Martin | National Citizens Inquiry Canada | March 6th 2025 |Edmonton, Albertahttps://rumble.com/v6qds3o-national-citizens-inquiry-with-dr.-david-martin-march-6th-2025-edmonton-alb.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp Dr. Martin was also invited to speak at the European Union Parliament’s Covid Summitin 2023. https://rumble.com/v2ncp8w-dr-david-e.-martin-phd-covid-summit-european-union-parliament-may-2023.html XIV. THE COVID ORCHESTRA INCLUDES WEF – NAMING NAMES Dr. Martin refers to the major players orchestrating the plandemic as The CovidOrchestra, his research having proved that it was accurate to designate Covid and theexperimental injection as a planned event (plandemic). Even in the face of growing widespread opposition, governments are pursuingWEF’s strategy as it is no secret that the international organisation has managedto infiltrate them through its Young Global Leaders.https://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ The full article, summarizing Dr. Martin’s Red Pill Expo speech and identifying theorganizations, as well as the people, involved in creating the plandemic, is reproduced atthe bottom of this testimony. In the meantime, notice that WEF is represented FOURTIMES in the “Covid Orchestra” of major players. Excerpt from Dr. David Martin’s speech at the Red Pill Expo: THE COVID ORCHESTRA“But this, Ladies and Gentlemen is the slide you wanted to see. This is actually thenames and faces of the people who are, in fact killing humanity. And that’s ALLof them. …Let’s make sure that we don’t ever forget the names and the faces ofthe people who decided to kill us…” · Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees WEF· Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, WEF· Marc Benioff, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Salesforce, WEF Trustee,WEF Young Global Leader · Luis Alberto Moreno, WEF Young Global Leader (Sherilyn – the remainder of the Orchestra list is at the end of this testimony, wherethe full article - about the extensive origins of/patents associated with Covid and theexperimental injection - is reprinted). As Dr. Martin points out, if any of his facts are false, he could be sued. And no one has…This list is a horrifying indictment, but words alone cannot begin to impress upon us thetrue/ultimate consequences of following any plan mapped out, in part, by such anorganization. SO… let’s personalize what happened to humanity as a result of that trigger for THEGREAT RESET (Great Reset being a role model this plan is following).Start by watching these links, a testament to the death and damage unleashed onhumanity via all those companies and people named by Dr. David Martin. FOLLOW THE SILENCED https://followthesilenced.com/ “the filmmakers uncovered a larger story behind a successful campaign to conceal the true scope of injuries from these vaccines” WITNESS STATEMENT https://rumble.com/v6px9fk-witness-statement-australian-documentary-biggest-crime-in-human-history-jan.html?e9s=rel_v2_prJapan’s most senior cancer doctor: COVID shots are ‘essentially murder’ https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/japans-most-senior-cancer-doctor-covid-shots-are-essentially-murder/Dr. Michael Goodkin - Letter to HHS Secretary RFK Jr.: ‘I Urge You to Act Now.Expose the Corruption.’ https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/michael-goodkin-letter-hhs-secretary-rfk-jr-expose-corruption/ XV. MEDIA OWNERSHIP DICTATES CONTENT (Manipulation System Mouthpiece– MSM) I add this part because, while we’re looking at this WEF role model, the WEF alsostressed what THEY called misinformation in the obstacles to getting their Great Resetunderway.Of course, what they called misinformation proved to be accurate information… it justdid not support their WEF-control agenda. Complicit media, whose ownership is now concentrated in six companies[9], come inhandy for the power brokers to narrow information available to the public in order tocreate a preferred public response. That is just as true here in Hawai’i as elsewhere.Cooperation with/involvement/infiltration of the intelligence agencies is also common. William B. Bader, former CIA intelligence officer, in his testimony before theSenate Intelligence Committee, said:“There is quite an incredible spread of relationships. You don’t need tomanipulate Time magazine, for example, because there are [Central Intelligence]Agency people at the management level.” And then there’s Project Mockingbird (see Church Committee testimony and report).German journalist Udo Ulfkotte authored a confessional titled Presstitutes Embedded InThe Pay Of The CIA, further proving that the CIA’s Project Mockingbird infiltration ofmainstream media is still “alive and well.”Udo also mentions George Soros (who is affiliated with WEF and is a regular speaker attheir DAVOS meetings). So when you see SOROS/OPEN SOCIETY, also think WEF. When it says “American” inthe next excerpt, Udo means CIA. Udo: “Those dismissive of the role of the financier George Soros will be interestedto learn of the prominence the Soros backed European Council of Foreign Relationsplays in policy formation, something Ulfkotte experienced first hand…how Soroswas part and parcel of the political regime in Germany, and essential to effortsexpanding American hegemony in Eastern and Central Europe. Udo Ulfkotte, deceased German journalist and author of the confessional,Presstitutes Embedded In The Pay Of The CIA.https://www.theburkean.ie/articles/2020/09/20/udo-ulfkotte-was-a-nationalist-journalist-murdered-in-germany This next article, based on leaked internal documents (CCDH), poses a powerful questionabout censorship. Once again, notice the Soros connection, intelligence agencies, etc. Are U.S. Taxpayers Funding ‘Corrupt Dark-money Network’ That Censored CHD, RFKJr. and Others? A new analysis of government spending shows that several U.S. taxpayer-fundedorganizations are linked to the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Last year, reporting by Thacker and Matt Taibbi, based on internal documentsleaked by CCDH insiders, revealed that CCDH planned to “kill” X, shut downpopular social media accounts on other platforms, censor non-establishmentvoices and “bring back” attacks on “antivaxx” voices, among other things. According to the documents, CCDH planned to organize “black ops” againstKennedy, who was a U.S. presidential candidate at the time. The group alsoplanned to pressure Substack to remove COVID-19 vaccine critics Mercola andAlex Berenson from its platform. A subsequent investigation by Ji traced some of the organizations that financiallysupport CCDH, including several U.K.-based nonprofits affiliated with legacymedia organizations, the U.K. government and major philanthropic organizationssuch as the Open Society Foundations (Soros) and the Ford Foundation. “These hidden contributions reveal a coordinated pipeline of financial influenceinvolving U.S. intelligence-adjacent entities, UK Crown interests, and Soros-backed organizations like the Tides Foundation,” Ji wrote. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/us-taxpayer-funds-ccdh-dark-money-censorship-rfk-jr-chd/ XVI. PHILANTHROPY.. or is it? PUBLIC RETENTION OF POWER. A power/control chess move is often disguised as philanthropy, too (just look at BillGates as one example, whose philanthropy “somehow” seemed to routinely/exponentiallyincrease his personal wealth – vaccine stocks bought, then sold, with remarkablyprescient timing – and to increase his influence – GAVI, WHO). SO – public/private partnerships MUST be transparent, projects required to be revealedat the inception of the process and examined VERY closely to ensure that NO such transfer of power away from the citizens is taking place as quid pro quo[10]. ***How this public retention of power might be achieved is another topic worthy ofsoliciting deeper community input/solutions.*** XVII. ARTFUL LANGUAGE ON BEHALF OF DECEPTION The language employed by plans following in the footsteps of the Great Reset (whoseultimate, albeit hidden, purpose is to reduce choice/freedom) may adeptly hide the trueintent, thanks in part to (1) focus group research to learn which phrases are mostpersuasive for the general public and (2) decades of mind control experimentation (e.g.,Monarch, MKUltra, etc.), as revealed by whistleblowers like Cathy O’Brien (AccessDenied For Reasons Of National Security; The Tranceformation of America). XVIII. LIFE EXPERIENCE I have been -a former public interest environmental litigator (including in favor of growthmanagement), a former co-president of the Washington Environmental Council who helped craft legislative language for amendments to the state statute RCW 36.70A,a former Board member of the Washington Toxics Coalition,a co-founder of and reporter for a local newspaper that didn’t depend on externalagents for its funding (ergo was not obligated to slant the news in favor of anyparticular monied entity),a co-founder of a local environmental organization (Watershed Defense Fund,which became the Clean Water Alliance),a former candidate for countywide public office (Democrat, although the officeitself was non-partisan),a speaker within the educational system on both (1) issues of the day and (2) activecitizenship,a mother/grandmother whose stake in a positive future is thus both personal aswell as societal,a relative of people (1) who covertly worked for the CIA and (2) who were high-security-clearance law enforcement on an international border (and who witnessedthe corruption within our system, too), andI was raised in countries which did not enjoy even the appearance of a democraticprocess, so my appreciation for a constitutional republic and genuine, accurateelections* (*which we do NOT yet have in Hawai’i – lots of evidence on that topic!)is amplified. [1] https://totalnews.com/another-massive-transfer-of-wealth-incoming/ [2] Breaking The WEF Matrix: How To Resist The Great Reset - http://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset/ The WEF and the Great Reset by Wasif Chaudry http://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ [3] “A global network of stakeholder capitalist partners are collaborating to usher inwhat they claim to be a new model of enhanced democratic accountability that includes“civil society.” Continued… However, beneath their deceptive use of the term civil society lies an ideology whichoffers this network an unprecedented degree of political control that threatens toextinguish representative democracy entirely. ”What is further obfuscated is that civil society stakeholders are selected.“Representatives from NGOs, religious communities, unions, and philanthropicfoundations are the selected stakeholders whose only role is to agree with the policiesplaced on the table by the public-private partnership,” Davis adds. Their consent isdeemed your consent. http://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset [4]Dr. David Martin: Who “They” Are, “The Names and Faces” - Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names andFaces of the People Who Are Killing Humanity https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/11/20/dr-david-martin-who-they-are-the-names-and-faces Dr. David Martin reveals Fauci’s Trail of Covid Patents’ since 2002 (includes additional links to source documents) https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/07/12/breaking-news-patents-filed-in-america-as-far-back-as-2002-concerning-sars-cov-2-coronavirus Dr. David Martin's Covid Bioweapon Speech at 'An Injection of Truth' Town Hall Held March 3/25 in Calgary, Alberta https://rumble.com/v6q6rt2-dr-david-martin-calgary.html WEF article (ah, the irony if you’ve read Dr. David Martin’s evidence) - A New Yorksimulation showed we weren’t prepared for coronavirus. But it’s not too late to act https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-new-york-simulation-lessons-not-too-late-to-act/ [5] "You'll own nothing and you'll be happy" is a phrase from 2018 predictions for 2030published by the World Economic Forum, cited as being based on input from membersof the World Economic Forum Global Futures Councils, likely in turn based on a 2016article in which Danish Social Democrat Ida Auken outlines her vision of the future.[6] Dr. David Martin is the founding CEO of M∙CAM Inc. M∙CAM is the international leader in intellectual property- based financial risk management. From auditing patent quality for governments and patent offices, to providing state-of-the-art actuarial risk management systems and solutions to the largest banks and insurance companies,M∙CAM has established a global standard in patent quality and commercial validity assessment and management. A spokesperson for global intellectual property accountability and quality reform, Dr. Martin has worked closely with the United States Congress, numerous trade and finance regulatory agencies in the United States, Europe and Asia, in advocating and deploying infrastructure to support growing reliance on proprietary rights in businesstransactions. M∙CAM has supported the modernization of intellectual property, tax, and accounting laws through its work with oversight agencies and policy makers. Dr. Martin has founded several for-profit and non-profit companies and organizations and serves of several boards. He was the founding CEO of Mosaic Technologies Inc., a company that developed and commercialized advanced computational linguistics technologies, dynamic data compression and encryption technologies, electrical field transmission technology, medical diagnostics, and stealth/anechoic technology. He was a founding member ofJapan’s Institute for Interface Science & Technology. He founded and served as Executive Director of the Charlottesville Venture Group. He has served as a board member for the Research Institute for Small and EmergingBusiness (Washington D.C.), the Academy for Augmenting Grassroots Technological Innovations (India), the IST (Japan) the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (Virginia), and the Charlottesville IndustrialDevelopment Agency (Virginia). As former Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine, Dr. Martin founded the University’s first wholly-owned, for-profit, research and development and technology transfer corporation. Engaged in domestic and international technology transfer, clinical research, and financing, this company pioneered new techniquesinnovation management that have become industry standards. In 1999, Dr. Martin was appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to serve on the Joint Commission on Technology and Science and has served theGeneral Assembly and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology on numerous occasions. Dr. Martin’s work with the Batten Institute at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia and his related work at the Indian Institute for Management in Ahmedabad India has brought unprecedented curricular focus to areas of intangible asset risk management, finance, and accounting standards. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Martin has closely advised intellectual property based finance and investment programs in India, China, Denmark, the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Islamic Republic ofIran, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Martin has publications in law, medicine, engineering, finance and education. He maintains active research in the fields of linguistic genomics, fractal financial risk modeling, as well as continuing his over 15 years of research in cellular membrane ionic signaling. https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2006/scp_of_ge_06/speakers/martin.html https://www.m-cam.com/about-us/ [7] Dr. David Martin: Who “They” Are, “The Names and Faces” - Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names andFaces of the People Who Are Killing Humanity https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/11/20/dr-david-martin-who-they-are-the-names-and-facesDr. David Martin reveals Fauci’s Trail of Covid Patents’ since 2002 (includes additional links to source documents) https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/07/12/breaking-news-patents-filed-in-america-as-far-back-as-2002-concerning-sars-cov-2-coronavirus Dr. David Martin's Covid Bioweapon Speech at 'An Injection of Truth' Town Hall Held March 3/25 in Calgary, Alberta https://rumble.com/v6q6rt2-dr-david-martin-calgary.html Dr. David E. Martin PhD. – Covid Summit – European Union Parliament May 2023 https://rumble.com/v2ncp8w-dr-david-e.-martin-phd-covid-summit-european-union-parliament-may-2023.html [8] https://www.hawaii.edu/uhwo/clear/home/lawaloha.html § 5-7.5 "Aloha Spirit". (a) "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart withineach person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote goodfeelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", thefollowing unuhi laulā loa may be used: "Akahai", meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness; "Lōkahi", meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony; "ʻOluʻolu" meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness; "Haʻahaʻa", meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty; "Ahonui", meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance. These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii'speople. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift tothe people of Hawaiʻi. ''Aloha'' is more than a word of greeting or farewell or asalutation. ''Aloha'' means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caringwith no obligation in return. "Aloha" is the essence of relationships in which each personis important to every other person for collective existence. ''Aloha'' means to hear what isnot said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable. (b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of theirresponsibilities, obligations and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenantgovernor, executive officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices, andjudges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may contemplate and reside with thelife force and give consideration to the "Aloha Spirit". [L 1986, c 202, § 1] [9] https://www.webfx.com/blog/internet/the-6-companies-that-own-almost-all-media-infographic/ [10] Cambridge Dictionary: something that you give to someone in return for themgiving something back to you:a quid pro quo - It's all legal as long as contributions aren't a quidproquo for politicalfavors. Sent with Proton Mail secure email. ANIMATE VALUE™ Info@m-cam.com 513 E Main Street #2014 Charlottesville, VA 22902 T: 434· 979· 7240 The following data is being made publicly available for the Commons by M·CAM International LLC based on a series of reviews of patent literature derived from references found in: A novel bat coronavirus reveals natural insertions at the S1/S2 2 cleavage site of the Spike protein and a possible recombinant 3 origin of HCoV-19 4 Hong Zhou1,8, Xing Chen2,8, Tao Hu1,8 , Juan Li1,8, Hao Song3 , Yanran Liu1 , Peihan Wang1 5 , Di Liu4 , Jing Yang5 , Edward C. Holmes6 , Alice C. Hughes2,*, Yuhai Bi5,*, Weifeng Shi1,7,* The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2 Kristian G. Andersen1,2*, Andrew Rambaut3, W. Ian Lipkin4, Edward C. Holmes5 & Robert F. Garry6,7 And sequences leading to the reporting of genomic epidemiology at https://nextstrain.org/ncov Polybasic cleavage site for SARS CoV with novel spike protein and ACE2 RBD US9834595 Amino acid sequences directed against envelope proteins of a virus and polypeptides comprising the same for the treatment of viral diseases Ablynx N.V. 5-Jun-08 29-Oct-15 5-Dec-17 US9193780 Amino acid sequences directed against envelope proteins of a virus and polypeptides comprising the same for the treatment of viral diseases Ablynx N.V. 5-Jun-08 5-Jun-09 24-Nov-15 US20190077847 14-Mar-19 AMINO ACID SEQUENCES DIRECTED AGAINST ENVELOPE PROTEINS OF A VIRUS AND POLYPEPTIDES COMPRISING THE SAME FOR THE TREATMENT OF VIRAL DISEASES Ablynx N.V. 5-Jun-08 17-Oct-17 14-Mar-19 US20160152693 2-Jun-16 AMINO ACID SEQUENCES DIRECTED AGAINST ENVELOPE PROTEINS OF A VIRUS AND POLYPEPTIDES COMPRISING THE SAME FOR THE TREATMENT OF VIRAL DISEASES Ablynx N.V. 5-Jun-08 29-Oct-15 2-Jun-16 US10550174 Amino acid sequences directed against envelope proteins of a virus and polypeptides comprising the same for the treatment of viral diseases Ablynx N.V. 5-Jun-08 17-Oct-17 4-Feb-20 US10407492 Amino acid sequences directed against envelope proteins of a virus and polypeptides comprising the same for the treatment of viral diseases Ablynx N.V. 5-Jun-08 17-Oct-17 10-Sep-19 ANIMATE VALUE™ Info@m-cam.com 513 E Main Street #2014 Charlottesville, VA 22902 T: 434· 979· 7240 O-linked glycans and SARS CoV Spike Protein Data disclosures Document number Title Assignee name Priority date File date Issue date US9644180 Synthetic membrane-receiver complexes RUBIUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. 18-Nov-13 12-Jun-15 9-May-17 US8741311 Methods and compositions for immunization against virus Academia Sinica 27-Mar-09 26-Mar-10 3-Jun-14 US8735416 Antiviral therapies Technische Universitaet Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig 21-Sep-05 23-Apr-12 27-May-14 US7604960 Transient protein expression methods Crucell Holland B.V. 15-Apr-99 1-Jun-07 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US20060199176 7-Sep-06 Coronavirus S peptides CHONG PELE C S 15-Jul-04 14-Jul-05 7-Sep-06 US20060121580 8-Jun-06 Binding molecules against SARS-coronavirus and uses thereof CRUCELL 22-Jul-03 20-Jan-06 8-Jun-06 US20060110758 25-May-06 Synthetic peptide targeting critical sites on the SARS-associated coronavirus spike protein responsible for viral infection and method of use thereof UNIV HONG KONG 22-Nov-04 28-Oct-05 25-May-06 ANIMATE VALUE™ Info@m-cam.com 513 E Main Street #2014 Charlottesville, VA 22902 T: 434· 979· 7240 US20060093616 4-May-06 Process for vaccinating eucaryotic hosts and for protecting against SARS-CoV infection ALTMEYER RALF 29-Sep-04 28-Sep-05 4-May-06 US20050249739 10-Nov-05 Antibodies against SARS-CoV and methods of use thereof MARASCO WAYNE 25-Nov-03 24-Nov-04 10-Nov-05 US20050203038 15-Sep-05 Modulation of ACE2 expression 10-Mar-04 10-Mar-04 15-Sep-05 US20050113298 26-May-05 Receptor binding peptides derived from the SARS S protein 15-Sep-03 13-Sep-04 26-May-05 US20050112554 26-May-05 Characterization of the earliest stages of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus and uses thereof HENG XU RUI 9-Jul-04 9-Jul-04 26-May-05 US10443049 Active low molecular weight variants of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) Northwestern University 24-Jan-17 24-Jan-18 15-Oct-19 US10301377 Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus immunogens, antibodies, and their use The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services 24-Feb-15 24-Feb-16 28-May-19 US10131704 Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus neutralizing antibodies and methods of use thereof DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE, INC. 25-Apr-14 27-Apr-15 20-Nov-18 1 Hawai’i General Plan re Proposed Changes in 2025 – Submission Number One (January 2025) • Need to study plan’s foundational topic(s) more inclusively – review scientific dissent/dialogue for a more scientific approach and better informed choices1, • Need to broaden the range of future scenario assumptions to include inventions already in existence and patents that will no longer remain suppressed, • Preconceived (but unstated) alliances and their premises apparently exist in this plan, thus immediately narrowing the field of options under consideration: Is this plan on the verge of becoming a WEF Great Reset clone, based/focused on, for one example, prevalent terms like STAKEHOLDER, while neglecting to mention the essential, fundamental notion of HOMEOWNER? If our Plan is going to ally itself with an entity, let’s make that choice transparent and let’s choose one that values humanity and freedom, not one that seeks to dominate and control. Sherilyn Wells Waikoloa Village Submission Number One January 2025 Climate change (natural climate variation) is and has always been real (reflect on the mini Ice Age of a few centuries ago; reflect on the warning in the 1970’s that another such ice age was almost upon us2). Recently, the term was narrowed by a small group of researchers to refer ONLY to the human factor, based on these underlying assumptions - • that there is a high level of anthropogenic/human influence on climate due to burning fossil fuels, • that that influence is uniformly negative, • that global climate modeling can predict the future complexities of climate, • that a continuation down that fossil fuel energy path is leading to disaster. “The narrow and politicized framing of the climate change debate has resulted in an oversimplification of the scientific problem and its solutions.” The three incontrovertible facts about global warming, as listed by Prof. Emeritus Judith Curry: Average global surface temperatures have overall increased since about 1860. 1 https://judithcurry.com/blog-rules-and-netiquette/ 2 On April 28, 1975, Newsweek published a provocative article, “The Cooling World,” in which writer and science editor Peter Gwynne described a significant chilling of the world’s climate, with evidence accumulating “so massively that meteorologists are hard-pressed to keep up with it.” He raised the possibility of shorter growing seasons and poor crop yields, famine, and shipping lanes blocked by ice, perhaps to begin as soon as the mid-1980s. Meteorologists, he wrote, were “almost unanimous” in the opinion that our planet was getting colder. Over the years that followed, Gwynne’s article became one of the most-cited stories in Newsweek’s history…. Scores of similar articles, some with even more dire predictions of a “little ice age” to come, appeared during the 1970s in such mainstream publications as Time, Science Digest, The Los Angeles Times, Fortune, The Chicago Tribune, New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Popular Science, and National Geographic. 2 Carbon dioxide has infrared emission spectra and thus acts to warm the planet. Humans have been adding CO2 to the atmosphere by the emissions from burning of fossil fuels.3 BUT…. 1. Degree of human influence on climate is not settled, however4, despite dire pronouncements prematurely posted (a) by a highly controlled media owned by agenda- driven, vastly reduced (concentrated) ownership and (b) by editors of journals who curate publications to favor only those studies expressing one particular viewpoint. Judith Curry’s five minutes of testimony to Commerce/Science/Transportation subcommittee re SR253 – https://x.com/TakingoutTrash7/status/1682911250437611521 This restriction on information via “official channels” is why a scientist who co-authored the Hurricane Katrina study that was a major accelerant for the Climate Change movement in 2005 now suggests publishing online, bypassing those journal-gatekeepers. Publishing online allows for much broader peer review, often far superior in depth of analysis and more nuanced observations, along with much greater transparency regarding data sets and methodology. “Science is a process of continuously evaluating the evidence, challenging our assumptions, and critically reassessing our conclusions, rather than a collective of decreed truths.” Dr. Judith Curry Rather than dismiss critics of her Hurricane Katrina study, which the Climate Change community adored, Prof. Judith Curry took a deeper look at their criticisms and published a thoughtful review entitled “Mixing Politics and Science in Testing the Hypothesis That Greenhouse Warming Is Causing a Global Increase in Hurricane Intensity.”5 3 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=stem-talk+podcast+ihmc+judith+curry 4 https://youtu.be/_2Bw52FjYi4 5 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/87/8/bams-87-8-1025.xml The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active and costly season on record. Recent publications linking an increase in hurricane intensity to increasing tropical sea surface temperatures have fueled the debate on whether or not global warming is causing an increase in hurricane intensity. Because of the substantial implications of the hurricane–global warming issue for society and the immediate policy relevance associated with decision making related to Hurricane Katrina, attacks and rebuttals related to this research are being made in the media and on the World Wide Web without the rigor or accountability expected of scientific discourse. In this paper, we aim to promote a balanced and thoughtful examination of this subject by • clarifying the debate surrounding the subject as to whether or not global warming is causing an increase in global hurricane intensity, • illustrating a methodology of hypothesis testing to address multiple criticisms of a complex hypothesis that involves a causal chain, and • providing a case study of the impact of politics, the media, and the World Wide Web on the scientific process. 3 2. But then the shock of CLIMATEGATE, circa 2009, reverberated throughout the climate change community. The revelation, due to an unauthorized release of HADCRU emails from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (part of the IPCC), that some researchers were manipulating climate data to make it appear the earth was heating up dangerously, was a game-changer for ethical scientists who had previously trusted the IPCC to present honest and accurate reports. The emails revealed that a number of IPCC authors (1) had evaded FOIA requests for data, (2) had cherry-picked data, (3) had manipulated the peer review process, (4) had downplayed uncertainty, and (5) had otherwise attempted to squash and discredit skeptics. The IPCC had been funded to study/discover only negative, anthropogenic influences on climate change, thus avoiding a comprehensive look at all influences and all results, both positive and negative, which would have been the most scientific approach to the topic. And Climategate was, apparently, one result of this narrow directive. In the aftermath of Climategate, one scientist – Judith Curry – posted this commentary6 “ON THE CREDIBILITY OF CLIMATE RESEARCH” on Climate Audit, an award- winning skeptics blog7. The Climate Audit site is worth reviewing, to read alternate professional viewpoints on issues (the essence of what science is supposed to do – discuss/debate in an arena where all information is welcomed, where all voices may be heard). Prof. Curry points to the need for the climate scientists to do better at making data publicly available, to be completely transparent about their methods, to be honest about uncertainties, and to be more respectful to scientists critical of the research. “..two broader issues raised by these emails that are impeding the public credibility of climate research: lack of transparency in climate data, and “tribalism” in some segments of the climate research community that is impeding peer review and the assessment process.” School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Judith A. Curry, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0340, E-mail: curryja@eas.gatech.edu 6 https://climateaudit.org/2009/11/22/curry-on-the-credibility-of-climate-research/ 7 https://climateaudit.org/author/stevemcintyre/ 4 Dr. Curry’s entire commentary on the aftermath of CLIMATEGATE is posted at the end of my testimony. 3. What global climate models can and can’t do well: Global climate models create a coarse grained simulation of earth’s climate system using computers. These models simulate atmosphere, ocean, land surface, sea ice, and glaciers. Models use complex mathematical equations that can only be approximately solved on computers. Some of the equations and climate models are based on laws of physics.. However, there are key processes in climate models that are approximated and not based on physical laws. Hence, there are a LOT of “tunable parameters” in these climate models, including solar direct effects and CLOUDS. Climate models can’t tell us anything about climate sensitivity to CO28, but recent studies may be shedding more light on CO2 saturation dynamics – Two recently-published papers found that doubling CO2 in the atmosphere led to minimal temperature increases. The calculated figures can be considered to be in margin of error territory and on past observational evidence they pose no threat to the climate on Earth. They also destroy the shaky scientific foundation upon which Net Zero rests. Eight Taiwanese scientists led by Professor Peng-Sheng Wei found that the sensitivity of the climate to a rise in CO2 atmospheric levels from 100 to 400 parts per million (ppm) was “negligibly small” at 0.3°C. The paper is complex and examines heat transfers as a function of longitude, latitude and altitude “as well as diffuse radiation determined by absorption bands based on wavelength, temperature and the concentration or pressure of carbon dioxide vapour.” The rest of the article above is posted at the end of this testimony. And there is still a factor of 3 uncertainty in these models, as per Dr. Curry. In addition, the effect of our solar system transiting through a highly magnetized interstellar cloud (which appears to be a factor in changes observed on ALL the planets, as per extensive David Wilcock references on Gaiam to scientific articles) is not included in these models - https://web.archive.org/web/20230604143301/https://science.nasa.gov/science- news/science-at-nasa/2009/23dec_voyager Global models are exceedingly complex .. and are amazing tools for trying to understand how global climate works, but are NOT fit for making future predictions, simulating regional climates or extreme weather or climate events. 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHhV_RY__ac https://mindandmatter.substack.com/p/judith-curry-climatology-climate https://www.nickjikomes.com/post/judith-curry-climatology-climate-change-computer-modeling-green- energy-greenhouse-gasses-84-1 5 The Global Warming Policy Foundation – Climate Models For The Layman https://www.thegwpf.org › content › uploads › 2017 › 02 › Curry-2017.pdf Global Warming Policy Foundation – 2024 Annual GWTF Lecture (with transcript) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqsZV8i3O1E The most important gaps in current understanding of climate change (Climate Uncertainty and Risk by Judith A. Curry, page 8): • Solar impacts on climate, including indirect effects beyond solar heating • Multi-decadal and century-scale natural internal variability associated with large-scale ocean circulations • Mechanisms of vertical heat transfer in the ocean • Fast thermodynamic feedbacks (water vapor, clouds, atmospheric lapse rate) that determine the climate sensitivity to increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases • Earth’s carbon budget and carbon cycle • Ice sheet dynamics • Geothermal heat transfer under the oceans and ice sheets Disagreement – Causes of Recent Climate Change Climate is generally stable/Change caused by external inputs VERSUS Climate is dynamic/Change primarily occurs naturally E.G. Chart shows global sea level rise began around 1860, well before fossil carbon emissions became significant https://youtu.be/_2Bw52FjYi4 6 There remains a factor of 3 uncertainty in the sensitivity of the climate to increasing CO2. For radically reducing CO2 emissions to make any sense in terms of the climate, the climate sensitivity of CO2 would need to be on the high end and natural climate variability would need to be discounted. On the other hand, if the climate 7 sensitivity to increasing CO2 is on the low end and natural variability is dominant, then decreasing CO2 emissions won’t have much of a noticeable effect. Further, we are unable to predict SOLAR VARIATIONS, volcanic eruptions, and multidecadal oscillations, so there’s a great deal of uncertainty in the model. There’s a key difference between a scientific consensus and a consensus of scientists: Scientific consensus reflects our longstanding knowledge base about a topic about which there is, essentially, no scientific disagreement (e.g., earth orbits the sun). On the other hand, a consensus of scientists represents a deliberate expression of collective judgment by a group of scientists on a poorly understood topic. This is often at the official request of a government or organization, ergo will have political overtones and pressures. See Dr. Judith Curry testimony to Congressional subcommittee (link on page 1). NEW ENERGY SOURCES The Plan fails to account for emergence of energy systems that have nothing to do with fossil fuels, that will moot the basis for the assertion of anthropogenic climate change. Working models of patents (such as anti-gravity vehicles) already exist, according to U.S. Navy, in confirming Patent Office inquiries re whether to approve the patents submitted by Salvatore Cezar Pais, a Romanian-American scientist. In addition to the U.S. Navy/Salvatore Pais patents, there are thousands of suppressed patents, including clean (free, anti-gravity, zero point, etc.) energy production and propulsion systems and medical technology, many of which President Trump is committed to releasing, as first indicated in his 2017 inaugural address9. Although administrative agencies resisted his executive order and slowed the release of such patents to a mere trickle during his first term, there is every reason to believe THIS time the administrative response will be much livelier, far more in the public interest. President Trump had better luck in his first term with the category of “mysteries of space,” as referenced in that address, when he oversaw the creation of Space Force. See quote in footnote and the following screenshot. 9 “We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries, and technologies of tomorrow.” 8 Regarding patents for new energy options, propulsion, etc., with some working models already in existence. Listen to inventor Salvatore Cezar Pais (affiliated with U.S. Navy) on Curt Jaimungal’s Theory of Everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6QyAhTB3o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE4C7OI7Frg&t=0s 9 NEW STUDIES ON SATURATION OF CO2 AND ITS PLANETARY BENEFITS Dramatic evidence has been published in a number of recent science papers that carbon dioxide levels are already ‘saturated’, meaning little or no further warming is to be expected and rising CO2 levels are all beneficial. Half of human emissions are being quickly pushed back into the biosphere, the scientists say, causing substantial, famine-busting plant growth, while the rest is entering a ‘saturated’ atmosphere and having a minimal effect on global temperatures. One of the papers accepting the human involvement in rising CO2 is published by the CO2 Coalition, which notes: “We like CO2, so should you.” None of this work will be reported in the mainstream since it disrupts a ‘settled’ climate science narrative tied to the political Net Zero fantasy. But the opinion that humans control the climate thermostat by releasing CO2, leading to runaway temperatures, belongs to a dark period in science when it was captured to promote political aims. 10 However, work continues in skeptical climate circles to understand how a number of gases with warming properties behave in a chaotic, non-linear atmosphere. Two recently-published papers found that doubling CO2 in the atmosphere led to minimal temperature increases. The calculated figures can be considered to be in margin of error territory and on past observational evidence they pose no threat to the climate on Earth. They also destroy the shaky scientific foundation upon which Net Zero rests. Eight Taiwanese scientists led by Professor Peng-Sheng Wei found that the sensitivity of the climate to a rise in CO2 atmospheric levels from 100 to 400 parts per million (ppm) was “negligibly small” at 0.3°C. The paper is complex and examines heat transfers as a function of longitude, latitude and altitude “as well as diffuse radiation determined by absorption bands based on wavelength, temperature and the concentration or pressure of carbon dioxide vapour.” What the scientists are looking at here is the narrow absorption bands within the infrared (IR) spectrum that allow ‘greenhouse’ gases to trap heat and warm the planet. Many argue that after a certain level the gases ‘saturate’ and lose most of their warming properties. One simple way to understand this is to observe that doubling insulation in a loft will not trap twice as much heat. The saturation hypothesis would appear to explain how CO2 has been 10-15 times higher in the past without runaway temperatures, while the anthropogenic warming opinion does little more than provide scientific cover for a dodgy but fashionable extreme eco scare. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims a climate sensitivity number based on doubling CO2 levels of around 3°C. But many climate models ramp up mass public hysteria by using ‘pathways’ with much larger and highly improbable estimates. The latter form the basis of numerous ‘scientists say’ stories faithfully reported by unquestioning mainstream media. The Taiwanese scientists found that ground temperature warming of 0.3°C was associated with the increase from 100 ppm to 350 ppm and there was no additional warming at all as CO2 rose further from 350 ppm to 400 ppm. The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is 420 ppm. Seven Austrian scientists have also recently concentrated on CO2 and the infrared spectrum, noting that a future doubling of the gas up to 800 ppm “shows no increase in the IR absorption for the 15 u-central peak”. It is concluded that this can lead to 0.5°C warming at most. The scientists argue that climate models and their CO2 influences should be revised. Much more experimental evidence about IR radiation should be collected “before appointing current warming trends and climate change mechanisms monocausal to greenhouse gas theories.” The recent papers on CO2 saturation are not the only ones to have been published lately. Earlier this year a group of Polish scientists led by Dr. Jan Kubicki supplied three papers arguing that above 400 ppm, “the CO2 concentration can no longer cause any increase in temperature.” In 2023, three scientists including Atmospheric Professor Yi Huang of McGill University stated that: “in the CO2 band centre is unchanged by increased CO2 as the absorption is already saturated.” In Chen et al. 2023, it is reported that CO2 had a severely reduced warming effect past pre-industrial concentrations. It was also noted that water vapour and cloud influences overlap and thus dominate absorption in the CO2 IR band. In 2022, the German Physics Professor Dieter Schildnecht set the CO2 saturation level at just 300 ppm. The CO2 Coalition is an educational foundation that says it provides facts, resources and information about the “vital role” CO2 plays in the environment. It recently published a detailed paper that accepted humans had contributed most of the CO2 that has entered the atmosphere in industrial times. The paper is sub-titled: “How 11 human emissions are restoring vital atmospheric CO2.” The coalition has long promoted the role that saturation plays in tempering the effect of a number of gases with warming properties. Attention is often drawn in its work to the part played by water vapour that makes up around 4% of the atmosphere and contributes as much as 80% of the Earth’s vital warming. It saturates over large parts of the IR spectrum, reducing the effect of other gases in their own specific bands. The coalition’s board includes the distinguished Professor William Happer, who has long argued the merits of the saturation hypothesis, and it was recently joined by the 2022 Nobel Physics Laureate Dr. John Clauser. Levels of CO2 have been much higher in the past, with evidence of vibrant animal and plant life. Many plants evolved to thrive with higher levels than they feed on today, a period some scientists argue is one of CO2 denudation. In its recently published paper, the coalition observes that the higher the CO2 content in the atmosphere, the greater the pressure from physical processes to drive CO2 into the oceans and vegetation. This is borne out by considerable evidence, although the recent substantial ‘greening’ of the planet is largely hidden from readers reliant on mainstream media. In fact the new ‘green revolution’ is feeding the world. The authors of a recent science paper, Charles Taylor and Wolfram Schlenker, state: “We consistently find a large fertilisation effect; a 1 ppm increase in CO2 equates to a 0.4%, 0.6%, 1% yield increase for corn, soybean and wheat respectively.” The heavy greening of the Earth can be seen in a map first published in Donohue/CSIRO 2015 and republished in another recent paper from the CO2 Coalition. This examined the nutritive value of plants growing in enhanced CO2 concentrations. The map was produced from satellite leaf data and shows that greening between 1982-2012 grew by 20-30% in India, West Australia, the Sahel and the Anatolian highlands. A more recent paper Chen et al. 2024 found that greening had actually accelerated in the last two decades. The increase in CO2 was found to be the dominant driver of the positive trend of the Leaf Area Index over most of the global land surface. Article author: Chris Morrison Curry – On The Credibility Of Climate Research Nov. 22, 2009 Having been riveted for the last few days by posts in the blogosphere on the HADCRU hack and the increasing attention being given to this by the mainstream media, I would 12 like to provide an “external but insider” assessment and perspective. My perspective is as a climate researcher that is not involved directly in any of the controversies and issues in the purloined HADCRU emails, but as one that is familiar with this research, the surrounding controversies, and many of the individuals who sent these emails. While the blogosphere has identified many emails that allegedly indicate malfeasance, clarifications especially from Gavin Schmidt have been very helpful in providing explanations and the appropriate context for these emails. However, even if the hacked emails from HADCRU end up to be much ado about nothing in the context of any actual misfeasance that impacts the climate data records, the damage to the public credibility of climate research is likely to be significant. In my opinion, there are two broader issues raised by these emails that are impeding the public credibility of climate research: lack of transparency in climate data, and “tribalism” in some segments of the climate research community that is impeding peer review and the assessment process. 1. Transparency. Climate data needs to be publicly available and well documented. This includes metadata that explains how the data were treated and manipulated, what assumptions were made in assembling the data sets, and what data was omitted and why. This would seem to be an obvious and simple requirement, but the need for such transparency has only been voiced recently as the policy relevance of climate data has increased. The HADCRU surface climate dataset and the paleoclimate dataset that has gone into the various “hockeystick” analyses stand out as lacking such transparency. Much of the paleoclimate data and metadata has become available only because of continued public pressure from Steve McIntyre. Datasets that were processed and developed decades ago and that are now regarded as essential elements of the climate data record often contain elements whose raw data or metadata were not preserved (this appears to be the case with HADCRUT). The HADCRU surface climate dataset needs public documentation that details the time period and location of individual station measurements used in the data set, statistical adjustments to the data, how the data were analyzed to produce the climatology, and what measurements were omitted and why. If these data and metadata are unavailable, I would argue that the data set needs to be reprocessed (presumably the original raw data is available from the original sources). Climate data sets should be regularly reprocessed as new data becomes available and analysis methods improve. There are a number of aspects of the surface climate record that need to be understood better. For example, the surface temperature bump ca. 1940 needs to be sorted out, and I am personally lacking confidence in how this period is being treated in the HADCRUT analysis. In summary, given the growing policy relevance of climate data, increasingly higher standards must be applied to the transparency and availability of climate data and metadata. These standards should be clarified, applied and enforced by the relevant national funding agencies and professional societies that publish scientific journals. 2. Climate tribalism. Tribalism is defined here as a strong identity that separates one’s group from members of another group, characterized by strong in-group loyalty and regarding other groups differing from the tribe’s defining characteristics as inferior. In the context of scientific research, tribes differ from groups of colleagues that collaborate and otherwise associate with each other professionally. As a result of the politicization of climate science, climate tribes (consisting of a small number of climate researchers) were 13 established in response to the politically motivated climate disinformation machine that was associated with e.g. ExxonMobil, CEI, Inhofe/Morano etc. The reaction of the climate tribes to the political assault has been to circle the wagons and point the guns outward in an attempt to discredit misinformation from politicized advocacy groups. The motivation of scientists in the pro AGW tribes appears to be less about politics and more about professional ego and scientific integrity as their research was under assault for nonscientific reasons (I’m sure there are individual exceptions, but this is my overall perception). I became adopted into a “tribe” during Autumn 2005 after publication of the Webster et al. hurricane and global warming paper. I and my colleagues were totally bewildered and overwhelmed by the assault we found ourselves under, and associating with a tribe where others were more experienced and savvy about how to deal with this was a relief and very helpful at the time. After becoming more knowledgeable about the politics of climate change (both the external politics and the internal politics within the climate field), I became concerned about some of the tribes pointing their guns inward at other climate researchers who question their research or don’t pass various loyalty tests. I even started spending time at climateaudit, and my public congratulations to Steve McIntyre when climateaudit won the “best science blog award” was greeted with a rather unpleasant email from one of the tribal members. While the “hurricane wars” fizzled out in less than a year as the scientists recovered from the external assault and got back to business as usual in terms of arguing science with their colleagues, the “hockey wars” have continued apparently unabated. With the publication of the IPCC 4th Assessment report, the Nobel Peace Prize, and energy legislation near the top of the national legislative agenda, the “denialists” were becoming increasingly irrelevant (the Heartland Conference and NIPCC are not exactly household words). Hence it is difficult to understand the continued circling of the wagons by some climate researchers with guns pointed at skeptical researchers by apparently trying to withhold data and other information of relevance to published research, thwart the peer review process, and keep papers out of assessment reports. Scientists are of course human, and short-term emotional responses to attacks and adversity are to be expected, but I am particularly concerned by this apparent systematic and continuing behavior from scientists that hold editorial positions, serve on important boards and committees and participate in the major assessment reports. It is these issues revealed in the HADCRU emails that concern me the most, and it seems difficult to spin many of the emails related to FOIA, peer review, and the assessment process. I sincerely hope that these emails do not in actuality reflect what they appear to, and I encourage Gavin Schmidt et al. to continue explaining the individual emails and the broader issues of concern. In summary, the problem seems to be that the circling of the wagons strategy developed by small groups of climate researchers in response to the politically motivated attacks against climate science are now being used against other climate researchers and the more technical blogs (e.g. Climateaudit, Lucia, etc). Particularly on a topic of such great public relevance, scientists need to consider carefully skeptical arguments and either rebut them or learn from them. Trying to suppress them or discredit the skeptical researcher or blogger is not an ethical strategy and one that will backfire in the long run. I have some sympathy for Phil Jones’ concern of not wanting to lose control of his personal research agenda by having to take the time to respond to all the queries and 14 requests regarding his dataset, but the receipt of large amounts of public funding pretty much obligates CRU to respond to these requests. The number of such requests would be drastically diminished if all relevant and available data and metadata were made publicly accessible, and if requests from Steve McIntyre were honored (I assume that many spurious requests have been made to support Steve McIntyre’s request, and these would all disappear). The HADCRU hack has substantially increased the relevance of Climateaudit, WUWT, etc. The quickest way for HADCRU et al. to put Climateaudit and the rest of this tribe out of business is make all climate data and metadata public and make every effort to improve the datasets based on all feedback that you receive. Do this and they will quickly run out of steam and become irrelevant . Gavin Schmidt’s current efforts at realclimate are a good step in the right direction of increasing transparency. But the broader issue is the need to increase the public credibility of climate science. This requires publicly available data and metadata, a rigorous peer review process, and responding to arguments raised by skeptics. The integrity of individual scientists that are in positions of responsibility (e.g. administrators at major research institutions, editorial boards, major committees, and assessments) is particularly important for the public credibility of climate science. The need for public credibility and transparency has dramatically increased in recent years as the policy relevance of climate research has increased. The climate research enterprise has not yet adapted to this need, and our institutions need to strategize to respond to this need. https://climateaudit.org/2009/11/22/curry-on-the-credibility-of-climate-research/ 1 Sherilyn Wells March 2025 testimony on the proposed 2045 Plan, supplement to January 2025 testimony. Many people have already offered expert testimony and very perceptive criticism of this Plan. Rather than repeat their observations, for this second submission I have chosen to go beneath the surface, to reveal the nature of the underlying system, the organizations and people, that appear to be the engine behind many, if not all, of the Plan concepts. Let’s bring everything into the light: “The phrase "sunlight is the best disinfectant" is a well-known quote by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, which he used metaphorically to emphasize the importance of transparency and openness in society and governance.” I. RESPONSE REQUIRED as per HRS §226-109(9) – page 2 II. ARE YOU PREPARED TO ADDRESS ONE VERY REAL (SUPER WEALTHY) ISSUE? – page 3 III. PRO FORMA vs. REALLY INCORPORATING TESTIMONY – HOW WILL THIS PROCESS END? – page 3 IV. HALT THE SLIDE INTO A “WEF GREAT RESET CLONE” PLAN – page 4 V. DR DAVID MARTIN ON TRIGGERS USED TO CALL FOR THE GREAT RESET – page 5 VI. PYRAMID – page 5 VII. USING CRISES – page 6 VIII. WHERE’S HOMEOWNER? – page 6 IX. HAPPINESS, PROPERTY, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – page 7 X. PROPERTY AND PERSONHOOD BY MARGARET JANE RADIN – page 8 XI. CONNECTING STAKEHOLDERS TO COVID/CRISIS (WEF) – page 8 XII. WEF: COVID WAS A LITMUS TEST FOR “STAKEHOLDER CAPITALISM” – page 9 XIII. DR DAVID MARTIN’S RESEARCH – page 9 XIV. THE COVID ORCHESTRA INCLUDES WEF – NAMING NAMES. page 11 2 XV. MEDIA OWNERSHIP DICTATES CONTENT (Manipulation System Mouthpiece – MSM) – page 12 XVI. PHILANTHROPY.. or is it? PUBLIC RETENTION OF POWER. - page 14 XVII. ARTFUL LANGUAGE ON BEHALF OF DECEPTION – page 14 XVIII. LIFE EXPERIENCE – page 14 XIX. Hawai’i General Plan re Proposed Changes in 2025 – Submission Number One (January 2025) – page 15 XX. Article - Editor of major newspaper says he planted stories for CIA – page 28 XXI. Article - Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names and Faces of the People Who Are Killing Humanity; Red Pill Expo, November 19, 2021 – page 31 XXII. Article - TRANSCRIPT Of Dr David E. Martin's Speech At The European Union Parliament, Covid Summit, MAY 2023 – page 39 XXIII. Article - Breaking The WEF Matrix: How To Resist The Great Reset - page 45 I. RESPONSE REQUIRED as per HRS §226-109(9) I am including my January testimony again re the requirement, as per HRS §226-109 (9) (a statute cited in the Plan), for a response to this new information on the topic of climate change. HRS §226-109(9) - Use management and implementation approaches that encourage the continual collection, evaluation, and integration of new information and strategies into new and existing practices, policies, and plans; and • The 2045 Plan language does not reflect the broader, more scientific nature of comprehensive (not limited to alleged anthropogenic) climate change studies, as well as noting where there are uncertainties or deficiencies in the data and conclusions. • It does not reflect where there is professional dissent (reminiscent of the censorship/exclusion of professional Covid dissent at the beginning). • It does not address studies that show positive effects from increasing CO2. • The Plan does not address the missing elements and inabilities of climate change modeling systems. • The Plan does not address the emergence of new energy systems, already patented, awaiting sufficient political support for their release, systems that will NOT introduce greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Relevant terms like Zero Point and Free Energy, etc., are nowhere in the Plan. 3 II. ARE YOU PREPARED TO ADDRESS ONE VERY REAL (SUPER WEALTHY) ISSUE? Given the great transfer of wealth during Covid1, from the lower and middle class into a growing group of (existing and) newly created super wealthy… Where is the REAL (no holds barred) discussion re robust, community-driven solutions to - • address affordability and availability of housing ownership when wealthy corporations/individuals buy up properties well above market value, putting home ownership even further out of reach for the “average” local resident and significantly altering the property taxes of surrounding homeowners (a backdoor approach to gradually, financially forcing them out, too?) - PAGE 181 – Housing Challenges; • a discussion about how to protect the integrity and the “fabric” of communities when local businesses who have been a part of the community, some for decades or longer, are suddenly closed down after wealthy corporations/individuals buy up the land beneath them; • a discussion about how much disproportionate influence we can then expect these super wealthy “stakeholders” to have on our community development and planning processes, including via their public/private projects (see who comprises the WEF Great Reset stakeholders in footnote 3 – hint – it’s NOT the average person). And take the verb “improving” (quote below) with a huge grain of salt… “One of the stated aims of the WEF is that it will be “…committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation.” https://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ CONCLUSION: MISSING from the plan: this issue of the SUPER WEALTHY and their impact on our island, our ohana, our community. More below on the need for private/public partnership transparency at the inception of any process. III. PRO FORMA vs. REALLY INCORPORATING TESTIMONY – HOW WILL THIS PROCESS END? I’ve attended many meetings where it was clear that hearings were “pro forma,” done for the purpose of fulfilling a legal or statutory requirement, but without any intention of actually reflecting on, of incorporating or integrating, any testimony that goes contrary to the plan that’s already been chosen behind closed doors. Donna Thompson of Waimea, whose excellent testimony I herein incorporate via reference, has made similar observations. 1 https://totalnews.com/another-massive-transfer-of-wealth-incoming/ 4 IV. HALT THE SLIDE INTO A “WEF GREAT RESET CLONE” PLAN You can still step back from this slippery slope and HALT THE SLIDE towards the ultimate result of creating, in “2045,” a WEF-Great-Reset-like plan (Agenda 21, as per Ms. Thompson), but it may well require refusing to let this island’s backroom power players have their way and empowering the people instead. In June 2019, the WEF signed a Strategic Partnership Framework agreement with the United Nations. The WEF and the UN agreed to collaboratively “accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: milestones to complete the UN’s plan for the 21st century, also known as Agenda 21 – the UN’s vision for a centrally managed global society. The policies required to achieve these sustainable development goals (SDGs) are developed by the multi-stakeholder partnership. https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef- resist-the-great-reset Even in the face of growing widespread opposition, governments are pursuing WEF’s strategy as it is no secret that the international organisation has managed to infiltrate them through its Young Global Leaders. https://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ In his book, Kahn explores subverting democracy by training a certain group in society as potential leaders, with those pre-selected few groomed for power being able to define what our shared values as a society should be. Sound familiar? Today’s World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader scheme is the exact manifestation of his original proposal. In essence, they will hold all the cards, whilst the common people will be left with illusory pseudo-democratic processes, poverty, and constant absurd psychological operations (PSYOPs) to sow chaos and distract us all unceasingly. https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset Sidenote – one of my Waimea friends recently asked the Mayor if this plan will go forward regardless of all the citizen opposition and the Mayor’s reply was that we DON’T have to adopt the 2045 Plan.. (Now THERE’s a concept.) Just remember – WEF’s oh-so-well-crafted rhetoric (the velvet glove) seldom matches their intended outcome (the iron fist inside the glove).2 Focus group research and decades of mind control research by our government and universities give these elite groups “pathways into persuasion” that don’t have to reflect reality. 2 Breaking The WEF Matrix: How To Resist The Great Reset - http://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset/ The WEF and the Great Reset by Wasif Chaudry http://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ 5 1. Velvet glove – Covid concerns. 2. Velvet glove – climate change* concerns (*the erroneous WEF-type – see my January testimony about a more comprehensive and scientific approach). 3. Iron fist – control over the public. SMART city – Surveilling the Masses And Restricting Transactions (thanks to China for showing us the reality, within a “SMART” city, of consequences for failure to follow prescribed social actions). V. DR DAVID MARTIN ON TRIGGERS USED TO CALL FOR THE GREAT RESET Refer to Dr. David Martin’s research and information, included below, in which he presents the evidence for WEF’s disingenuous history with Covid and the experimental injection (which they secretly co-participated in creating, then used as a rationale for launching their Great Reset). WEF is NOW using “climate change” as the new, post-Covid driver to impose their control agenda. Notice how much the deliberately limited, non-comprehensive, WEF version of “climate change” is used in this 2045 plan. Why use something so flawed, unless it was in service to an agenda, ergo NOT a commitment to best available science? See my January testimony for a more science-based consideration of climate change. VI. PYRAMID Therefore, this plan is a pyramid attempting to look like a level playing field, in which the pyramid’s capstone will be a small cadre of “stakeholders3” (WEF term, used 86 3 “A global network of stakeholder capitalist partners are collaborating to usher in what they claim to be a new model of enhanced democratic accountability that includes “civil society.” Continued… However, beneath their deceptive use of the term civil society lies an ideology which offers this network an unprecedented degree of political control that threatens to extinguish representative democracy entirely. ”What is further obfuscated is that civil society stakeholders are selected. “Representatives from NGOs, religious communities, unions, and philanthropic foundations are the selected stakeholders whose only role is to agree with the policies placed on the table by the public-private partnership,” Davis adds. Their consent is deemed your consent. http://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the- great-reset 6 times in the proposed plan) and many of the goals (and omissions) look remarkably similar to the WEF Great Reset. For instance, observe this Plan-consultant’s profile: Consultants, Page 2; Page 86, footnote 3 – SMART GROWTH AMERICA Smart Growth America focuses on three specific priorities: Climate change and resilience, advancing racial equity, and creating healthy communities. https://smartgrowthamerica.org/our-work/ Great Reset – a globalist-driven initiative to establish Schwab’s vision of stakeholder capitalism, where corporations are positioned as “trustees of society” to address the world’s economic and social woes. https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset Therefore, it is important to now address WEF as the background basis for 2045’s characteristics, in the hopes that the 2045 planners might want to seriously reconsider whether taking cues – covertly - from WEF is truly in the best interests of the people of this island, this state. And here’s why… VII. USING CRISES Unfortunately, WEF history is typically that of pursuing more centralized control of and power over the individual, the public, regardless of deceptive rhetoric claiming otherwise. The opportunistic use and/or deliberate creation of “crises”4 are a common tool for expanding control (see WEF articles on taking advantage of Covid to advance stakeholder capitalism). A more sinister aspect of the WEF/Covid connection is revealed by Dr. David Martin’s research, which will be referenced below (see also Footnote 4). VIII. WHERE’S HOMEOWNER? WEF’s 2018 Predictions for 2030: “You’ll own nothing. And you’ll be happy.”5 4Dr. David Martin: Who “They” Are, “The Names and Faces” - Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names and Faces of the People Who Are Killing Humanity https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/11/20/dr-david-martin-who-they-are-the-names-and-faces Dr. David Martin reveals Fauci’s Trail of Covid Patents’ since 2002 (includes additional links to source documents) https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/07/12/breaking-news-patents-filed-in-america-as-far-back-as- 2002-concerning-sars-cov-2-coronavirus Dr. David Martin's Covid Bioweapon Speech at 'An Injection of Truth' Town Hall Held March 3/25 in Calgary, Alberta https://rumble.com/v6q6rt2-dr-david-martin-calgary.html WEF article (ah, the irony if you’ve read Dr. David Martin’s evidence) - A New York simulation showed we weren’t prepared for coronavirus. But it’s not too late to act https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-new-york-simulation-lessons-not-too-late- to-act/ 7 It is telling that THE TERM “STAKEHOLDER” IN THE 2045 PLAN’S GLOSSARY DOES NOT EXPLICITLY INCLUDE HOMEOWNER, nor do we find HOMEOWNER elsewhere in the document. In litigation citing a statute or code, the deliberate absence of a term is considered dispositive. In this plan, there are: EIGHTY-SIX (86) matches for STAKEHOLDER. ZERO (0) matches for HOMEOWNER (although Homeownership does show up twice). There are also NO matches for SELF SUFFICIENT, which is a cornerstone of how people are better able to weather change and maintain their freedom and personal power. Coincidence? Freedom is the greatest fruit of self-sufficiency. Epicurus IX. HAPPINESS, PROPERTY, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT This article reviews the WEF’s 2018 prediction for 2030 - “You’ll own nothing. And you’ll be happy” - and finds property ownership to be a cornerstone of personal happiness. A future with no individual ownership is not a happy one: Property theory shows why. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328723001131 The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land. Abraham Lincoln Notice that “..the pursuit of happiness” was considered a self-evident truth and unalienable RIGHT, important enough by the founders of this nation to be mentioned in the preamble of one of our country’s foundational documents. Therefore, happiness of the people is an important benchmark indicating “success” as further development of our island communities takes place. “You’ll own nothing. And you’ll be happy.” This prediction, based on just one of eight made by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) network of Global Future Councils (Parker, 2016), assumed this expression in a video produced by the WEF in November 2016. As a tool intended to disseminate its content, the video 5 "You'll own nothing and you'll be happy" is a phrase from 2018 predictions for 2030 published by the World Economic Forum, cited as being based on input from members of the World Economic Forum Global Futures Councils, likely in turn based on a 2016 article in which Danish Social Democrat Ida Auken outlines her vision of the future. 8 was published both to the WEF’s own website4 and its Facebook page,5 and was then shared across other media platforms… Very few of the comments6 could be characterised as being in any sense positive toward the prediction. After the WEF announced its ‘Great Reset’ agenda to the world in June 2020 (Schwab, 2020), reaction to the prediction became stronger and louder still. COVID-19 was identified as the principal reason for pursuing the agenda, but the WEF claimed that it also addressed the “…climate and social crises” emerging even before the pandemic’s onset (Schwab, 2020). A diverse cross-section of concerned citizenry across the world was, however, having none of it. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328723001131 X. PROPERTY AND PERSONHOOD BY MARGARET JANE RADIN Margaret Jane Radin is known for her influential article "Property and Personhood," which was published in the Stanford Law Review in 1982. This article has been cited over 700 times and has been recognized as one of the 100 most cited law review articles of all time. In this article, Radin argues that individuals require secure control over certain aspects of their external environment in the form of property rights to achieve proper self-development or personhood. She also discusses how property rights for personhood serve as a justification for property rights in general and for some current schemes of property entitlement. In the article Professor Radin makes a compelling case that proper self- development, or personhood, requires individuals to have secure control over certain things—e.g., one’s home residence—in their external environment in the form of property rights. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45457879_Property_and_Personhood_Re visited XI. CONNECTING STAKEHOLDERS TO COVID/CRISIS (WEF) The changes we have already seen in response to COVID-19 prove that a reset of our economic and social foundations is possible. This is our best chance to instigate stakeholder capitalism - and here's how it can be achieved. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/06/now-is-the-time-for-a-great-reset/ 9 XII. WEF: COVID WAS A LITMUS TEST FOR “STAKEHOLDER CAPITALISM” According to WEF, Covid 19 is a litmus test for stakeholder capitalism – with remotely tracking people and remote teaching lauded by WEF as great examples of how a company can meet that stakeholder capitalism goal. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/03/covid-19-is-a-litmus-test-for-stakeholder- capitalism/ By contrast, other companies used profits to invest in digital transformation, talent, research and development, and their customer relations. That now gives them an ability to react that other companies lack. Microsoft, for example, ranked first in JUST Capital’s stakeholder companies ranking, is a collaborator on Johns Hopkins’ coronavirus tracker, and is providing teachers with access and training for its Teams program to teach remotely. It can do so because of its business model, but also because its stakeholders expect it to step up at times such as these. XIII. DR DAVID MARTIN’S RESEARCH Dr. David Martin6 was able, thanks to his remarkable CV and decades of investigative work for the government, to track patents and the history of Covid. 6 Dr. David Martin is the founding CEO of M∙CAM Inc. M∙CAM is the international leader in intellectual property- based financial risk management. From auditing patent quality for governments and patent offices, to providing state-of-the-art actuarial risk management systems and solutions to the largest banks and insurance companies, M∙CAM has established a global standard in patent quality and commercial validity assessment and management. A spokesperson for global intellectual property accountability and quality reform, Dr. Martin has worked closely with the United States Congress, numerous trade and finance regulatory agencies in the United States, Europe and Asia, in advocating and deploying infrastructure to support growing reliance on proprietary rights in business transactions. M∙CAM has supported the modernization of intellectual property, tax, and accounting laws through its work with oversight agencies and policy makers. Dr. Martin has founded several for-profit and non-profit companies and organizations and serves of several boards. He was the founding CEO of Mosaic Technologies Inc., a company that developed and commercialized advanced computational linguistics technologies, dynamic data compression and encryption technologies, electrical field transmission technology, medical diagnostics, and stealth/anechoic technology. He was a founding member of Japan’s Institute for Interface Science & Technology. He founded and served as Executive Director of the Charlottesville Venture Group. He has served as a board member for the Research Institute for Small and Emerging Business (Washington D.C.), the Academy for Augmenting Grassroots Technological Innovations (India), the IST (Japan) the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (Virginia), and the Charlottesville Industrial Development Agency (Virginia). As former Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine, Dr. Martin founded the University’s first wholly-owned, for-profit, research and development and technology transfer corporation. Engaged in domestic and international technology transfer, clinical research, and financing, this company pioneered new techniques innovation management that have become industry standards. In 1999, Dr. Martin was appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to serve on the Joint Commission on Technology and Science and has served the General Assembly and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology on numerous occasions. Dr. Martin’s work with the Batten Institute at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia and his related work at the Indian Institute for Management in Ahmedabad India has brought unprecedented curricular focus to areas of intangible asset risk management, finance, and accounting standards. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Martin has closely advised intellectual property based finance and investment programs in India, China, Denmark, the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. 10 See attached document - 20200403_SARS_CoV_Patent_Corpus_Lit_Review.pdf. The perpetrators’ (including WEF) shocking willingness to inflict harm via the Covid experience (see Dr. David Martin’s Red Pill Expo, November 19, 2021, talk in the video link7) is in utter/complete antagonism to Hawai’i’s values of ALOHA, as described in the state statute.8 And remember, WEF used Covid to trot out The Great Reset, which this 2045 Plan emulates. As Dr. Martin points out, if any of his facts are false, he could be sued. And no one has… The following quote should be a massive wakeup call to the public re those behind the unleashing of Covid and the experimental injections: Dr. Martin has publications in law, medicine, engineering, finance and education. He maintains active research in the fields of linguistic genomics, fractal financial risk modeling, as well as continuing his over 15 years of research in cellular membrane ionic signaling. https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2006/scp_of_ge_06/speakers/martin.html https://www.m-cam.com/about-us/ 7 Dr. David Martin: Who “They” Are, “The Names and Faces” - Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names and Faces of the People Who Are Killing Humanity https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/11/20/dr-david-martin-who-they-are-the-names-and-faces Dr. David Martin reveals Fauci’s Trail of Covid Patents’ since 2002 (includes additional links to source documents) https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/07/12/breaking-news-patents-filed-in-america-as-far-back-as- 2002-concerning-sars-cov-2-coronavirus Dr. David Martin's Covid Bioweapon Speech at 'An Injection of Truth' Town Hall Held March 3/25 in Calgary, Alberta https://rumble.com/v6q6rt2-dr-david-martin-calgary.html Dr. David E. Martin PhD. – Covid Summit – European Union Parliament May 2023 https://rumble.com/v2ncp8w-dr-david-e.-martin-phd-covid-summit-european-union-parliament-may- 2023.html 8 https://www.hawaii.edu/uhwo/clear/home/lawaloha.html § 5-7.5 "Aloha Spirit". (a) "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", the following unuhi laulā loa may be used: "Akahai", meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness; "Lōkahi", meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony; "ʻOluʻolu" meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness; "Haʻahaʻa", meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty; "Ahonui", meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance. These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii's people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaiʻi. ''Aloha'' is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. ''Aloha'' means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. "Aloha" is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. ''Aloha'' means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable. (b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices, and judges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to the "Aloha Spirit". [L 1986, c 202, § 1] 11 "So .. the fact of the matter is, they actually stated in 2014 that this was about investors responding if they see profit at the end of the process." Dr. David Martin | National Citizens Inquiry Canada | March 6th 2025 | Edmonton, Alberta https://rumble.com/v6qds3o-national-citizens-inquiry-with-dr.-david-martin- march-6th-2025-edmonton-alb.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp Dr. Martin was also invited to speak at the European Union Parliament’s Covid Summit in 2023. https://rumble.com/v2ncp8w-dr-david-e.-martin-phd-covid-summit-european- union-parliament-may-2023.html XIV. THE COVID ORCHESTRA INCLUDES WEF – NAMING NAMES Dr. Martin refers to the major players orchestrating the plandemic as The Covid Orchestra, his research having proved that it was accurate to designate Covid and the experimental injection as a planned event (plandemic). Even in the face of growing widespread opposition, governments are pursuing WEF’s strategy as it is no secret that the international organisation has managed to infiltrate them through its Young Global Leaders. https://thegeopolity.com/2023/01/26/the-wef-and-the-great-reset/ The full article, summarizing Dr. Martin’s Red Pill Expo speech and identifying the organizations, as well as the people, involved in creating the plandemic, is reproduced at the bottom of this testimony. In the meantime, notice that WEF is represented FOUR TIMES in the “Covid Orchestra” of major players. Excerpt from Dr. David Martin’s speech at the Red Pill Expo: THE COVID ORCHESTRA “But this, Ladies and Gentlemen is the slide you wanted to see. This is actually the names and faces of the people who are, in fact killing humanity. And that’s ALL of them. …Let’s make sure that we don’t ever forget the names and the faces of the people who decided to kill us…” · Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees WEF · Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, WEF · Marc Benioff, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Salesforce, WEF Trustee, WEF Young Global Leader · Luis Alberto Moreno, WEF Young Global Leader (Sherilyn – the remainder of the Orchestra list is at the end of this testimony, where the full article - about the extensive origins of/patents associated with Covid and the experimental injection - is reprinted). As Dr. Martin points out, if any of his facts are false, he could be sued. And no one has… 12 This list is a horrifying indictment, but words alone cannot begin to impress upon us the true/ultimate consequences of following any plan mapped out, in part, by such an organization. SO… let’s personalize what happened to humanity as a result of that trigger for THE GREAT RESET (Great Reset being a role model this plan is following). Start by watching these links, a testament to the death and damage unleashed on humanity via all those companies and people named by Dr. David Martin. FOLLOW THE SILENCED https://followthesilenced.com/ “the filmmakers uncovered a larger story behind a successful campaign to conceal the true scope of injuries from these vaccines” WITNESS STATEMENT https://rumble.com/v6px9fk-witness-statement-australian-documentary-biggest-crime-in- human-history-jan.html?e9s=rel_v2_pr Japan’s most senior cancer doctor: COVID shots are ‘essentially murder’ https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/japans-most-senior-cancer-doctor-covid-shots-are- essentially-murder/ Dr. Michael Goodkin - Letter to HHS Secretary RFK Jr.: ‘I Urge You to Act Now. Expose the Corruption.’ https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/michael-goodkin-letter-hhs-secretary-rfk-jr- expose-corruption/ XV. MEDIA OWNERSHIP DICTATES CONTENT (Manipulation System Mouthpiece – MSM) I add this part because, while we’re looking at this WEF role model, the WEF also stressed what THEY called misinformation in the obstacles to getting their Great Reset underway. Of course, what they called misinformation proved to be accurate information… it just did not support their WEF-control agenda. Complicit media, whose ownership is now concentrated in six companies9, come in handy for the power brokers to narrow information available to the public in order to create a preferred public response. That is just as true here in Hawai’i as elsewhere. Cooperation with/involvement/infiltration of the intelligence agencies is also common. William B. Bader, former CIA intelligence officer, in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, said: “There is quite an incredible spread of relationships. You don’t need to manipulate Time magazine, for example, because there are [Central Intelligence] Agency people at the management level.” And then there’s Project Mockingbird (see Church Committee testimony and report). 9 https://www.webfx.com/blog/internet/the-6-companies-that-own-almost-all-media-infographic/ 13 German journalist Udo Ulfkotte authored a confessional titled Presstitutes Embedded In The Pay Of The CIA, further proving that the CIA’s Project Mockingbird infiltration of mainstream media is still “alive and well.” Udo also mentions George Soros (who is affiliated with WEF and is a regular speaker at their DAVOS meetings). So when you see SOROS/OPEN SOCIETY, also think WEF. When it says “American” in the next excerpt, Udo means CIA. Udo: “Those dismissive of the role of the financier George Soros will be interested to learn of the prominence the Soros backed European Council of Foreign Relations plays in policy formation, something Ulfkotte experienced first hand…how Soros was part and parcel of the political regime in Germany, and essential to efforts expanding American hegemony in Eastern and Central Europe. Udo Ulfkotte, deceased German journalist and author of the confessional, Presstitutes Embedded In The Pay Of The CIA. https://www.theburkean.ie/articles/2020/09/20/udo-ulfkotte-was-a-nationalist- journalist-murdered-in-germany This next article, based on leaked internal documents (CCDH), poses a powerful question about censorship. Once again, notice the Soros connection, intelligence agencies, etc. Are U.S. Taxpayers Funding ‘Corrupt Dark-money Network’ That Censored CHD, RFK Jr. and Others? A new analysis of government spending shows that several U.S. taxpayer-funded organizations are linked to the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Last year, reporting by Thacker and Matt Taibbi, based on internal documents leaked by CCDH insiders, revealed that CCDH planned to “kill” X, shut down popular social media accounts on other platforms, censor non-establishment voices and “bring back” attacks on “antivaxx” voices, among other things. According to the documents, CCDH planned to organize “black ops” against Kennedy, who was a U.S. presidential candidate at the time. The group also planned to pressure Substack to remove COVID-19 vaccine critics Mercola and Alex Berenson from its platform. A subsequent investigation by Ji traced some of the organizations that financially support CCDH, including several U.K.-based nonprofits affiliated with legacy media organizations, the U.K. government and major philanthropic organizations such as the Open Society Foundations (Soros) and the Ford Foundation. 14 “These hidden contributions reveal a coordinated pipeline of financial influence involving U.S. intelligence-adjacent entities, UK Crown interests, and Soros- backed organizations like the Tides Foundation,” Ji wrote. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/us-taxpayer-funds-ccdh-dark-money- censorship-rfk-jr-chd/ XVI. PHILANTHROPY.. or is it? PUBLIC RETENTION OF POWER. A power/control chess move is often disguised as philanthropy, too (just look at Bill Gates as one example, whose philanthropy “somehow” seemed to routinely/exponentially increase his personal wealth – vaccine stocks bought, then sold, with remarkably prescient timing – and to increase his influence – GAVI, WHO). SO – public/private partnerships MUST be transparent, projects required to be revealed at the inception of the process and examined VERY closely to ensure that NO such transfer of power away from the citizens is taking place as quid pro quo10. ***How this public retention of power might be achieved is another topic worthy of soliciting deeper community input/solutions.*** XVII. ARTFUL LANGUAGE ON BEHALF OF DECEPTION The language employed by plans following in the footsteps of the Great Reset (whose ultimate, albeit hidden, purpose is to reduce choice/freedom) may adeptly hide the true intent, thanks in part to (1) focus group research to learn which phrases are most persuasive for the general public and (2) decades of mind control experimentation (e.g., Monarch, MKUltra, etc.), as revealed by whistleblowers like Cathy O’Brien (Access Denied For Reasons Of National Security; The Tranceformation of America). XVIII. LIFE EXPERIENCE I have been - • a former public interest environmental litigator (including in favor of growth management), • a former co-president of the Washington Environmental Council who helped craft legislative language for amendments to the state statute RCW 36.70A, • a former Board member of the Washington Toxics Coalition, • a co-founder of and reporter for a local newspaper that didn’t depend on external agents for its funding (ergo was not obligated to slant the news in favor of any particular monied entity), 10 Cambridge Dictionary: something that you give to someone in return for them giving something back to you: a quid pro quo - It's all legal as long as contributions aren't a quid pro quo for political favors. 15 • a co-founder of a local environmental organization (Watershed Defense Fund, which became the Clean Water Alliance), • a former candidate for countywide public office (Democrat, although the office itself was non-partisan), • a speaker within the educational system on both (1) issues of the day and (2) active citizenship, • a mother/grandmother whose stake in a positive future is thus both personal as well as societal, • a relative of people (1) who covertly worked for the CIA and (2) who were high- security-clearance law enforcement on an international border (and who witnessed the corruption within our system, too), and • I was raised in countries which did not enjoy even the appearance of a democratic process, so my appreciation for a constitutional republic and genuine, accurate elections* (*which we do NOT yet have in Hawai’i – lots of evidence on that topic!) is amplified. XIX. Hawai’i General Plan re Proposed Changes in 2025 – Submission Number One (January 2025) • Need to study plan’s foundational topic(s) more inclusively – review scientific dissent/dialogue for a more scientific approach and better informed choices11, • Need to broaden the range of future scenario assumptions to include inventions already in existence and patents that will no longer remain suppressed, • Preconceived (but unstated) alliances and their premises apparently exist in this plan, thus immediately narrowing the field of options under consideration: Is this plan on the verge of becoming a WEF Great Reset clone, based/focused on, for one example, prevalent terms like STAKEHOLDER, while neglecting to mention the essential, fundamental notion of HOMEOWNER? If our Plan is going to ally itself with an entity, let’s make that choice transparent and let’s choose one that values humanity and freedom, not one that seeks to dominate and control. Sherilyn Wells Submission Number One January 2025 Climate change (natural climate variation) is and has always been real (reflect on the mini Ice Age of a few centuries ago; reflect on the warning in the 1970’s that another such ice age was almost upon us12). 11 https://judithcurry.com/blog-rules-and-netiquette/ 12 On April 28, 1975, Newsweek published a provocative article, “The Cooling World,” in which writer and science editor Peter Gwynne described a significant chilling of the world’s climate, with evidence accumulating “so massively that meteorologists are hard-pressed to keep up with it.” He raised the possibility of shorter growing seasons and poor crop yields, famine, and shipping lanes blocked by ice, perhaps to begin as soon as the mid-1980s. Meteorologists, he wrote, were “almost unanimous” in the opinion that our planet was getting colder. Over the years that followed, Gwynne’s article became one of the most-cited stories in Newsweek’s history…. Scores of similar articles, some with even more dire 16 Recently, the term was narrowed by a small group of researchers to refer ONLY to the human factor, based on these underlying assumptions - • that there is a high level of anthropogenic/human influence on climate due to burning fossil fuels, • that that influence is uniformly negative, • that global climate modeling can predict the future complexities of climate, • that a continuation down that fossil fuel energy path is leading to disaster. “The narrow and politicized framing of the climate change debate has resulted in an oversimplification of the scientific problem and its solutions.” The three incontrovertible facts about global warming, as listed by Prof. Emeritus Judith Curry: Average global surface temperatures have overall increased since about 1860. Carbon dioxide has infrared emission spectra and thus acts to warm the planet. Humans have been adding CO2 to the atmosphere by the emissions from burning of fossil fuels.13 BUT…. 1. Degree of human influence on climate is not settled, however14, despite dire pronouncements prematurely posted (a) by a highly controlled media owned by agenda- driven, vastly reduced (concentrated) ownership and (b) by editors of journals who curate publications to favor only those studies expressing one particular viewpoint. Judith Curry’s five minutes of testimony to Commerce/Science/Transportation subcommittee re SR253 – https://x.com/TakingoutTrash7/status/1682911250437611521 This restriction on information via “official channels” is why a scientist who co- authored the Hurricane Katrina study that was a major accelerant for the Climate Change movement in 2005 now suggests publishing online, bypassing those journal-gatekeepers. Publishing online allows for much broader peer review, often far superior in depth of analysis and more nuanced observations, along with much greater transparency regarding data sets and methodology. “Science is a process of continuously evaluating the evidence, challenging our assumptions, and critically reassessing our conclusions, rather than a collective of decreed truths.” Dr. Judith Curry Rather than dismiss critics of her Hurricane Katrina study, which the Climate Change community adored, Prof. Judith Curry took a deeper look at their criticisms and published a thoughtful review entitled “Mixing Politics and predictions of a “little ice age” to come, appeared during the 1970s in such mainstream publications as Time, Science Digest, The Los Angeles Times, Fortune, The Chicago Tribune, New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Popular Science, and National Geographic. 13 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=stem-talk+podcast+ihmc+judith+curry 14 https://youtu.be/_2Bw52FjYi4 17 Science in Testing the Hypothesis That Greenhouse Warming Is Causing a Global Increase in Hurricane Intensity.”15 2. But then the shock of CLIMATEGATE, circa 2009, reverberated throughout the climate change community. The revelation, due to an unauthorized release of HADCRU emails from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (part of the IPCC), that some researchers were manipulating climate data to make it appear the earth was heating up dangerously, was a game-changer for ethical scientists who had previously trusted the IPCC to present honest and accurate reports. The emails revealed that a number of IPCC authors (1) had evaded FOIA requests for data, (2) had cherry-picked data, (3) had manipulated the peer review process, (4) had downplayed uncertainty, and (5) had otherwise attempted to squash and discredit skeptics. The IPCC had been funded to study/discover only negative, anthropogenic influences on climate change, thus avoiding a comprehensive look at all influences and all results, both positive and negative, which would have been the most scientific approach to the topic. And Climategate was, apparently, one result of this narrow directive. In the aftermath of Climategate, one scientist – Judith Curry – posted this commentary16 “ON THE CREDIBILITY OF CLIMATE RESEARCH” on Climate Audit, an award- winning skeptics blog17. The Climate Audit site is worth reviewing, to read alternate professional viewpoints on issues (the essence of what science is supposed to do – discuss/debate in an arena where all information is welcomed, where all voices may be heard). 15 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/87/8/bams-87-8-1025.xml The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active and costly season on record. Recent publications linking an increase in hurricane intensity to increasing tropical sea surface temperatures have fueled the debate on whether or not global warming is causing an increase in hurricane intensity. Because of the substantial implications of the hurricane–global warming issue for society and the immediate policy relevance associated with decision making related to Hurricane Katrina, attacks and rebuttals related to this research are being made in the media and on the World Wide Web without the rigor or accountability expected of scientific discourse. In this paper, we aim to promote a balanced and thoughtful examination of this subject by • clarifying the debate surrounding the subject as to whether or not global warming is causing an increase in global hurricane intensity, • illustrating a methodology of hypothesis testing to address multiple criticisms of a complex hypothesis that involves a causal chain, and • providing a case study of the impact of politics, the media, and the World Wide Web on the scientific process. School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Judith A. Curry, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0340, E-mail: curryja@eas.gatech.edu 16 https://climateaudit.org/2009/11/22/curry-on-the-credibility-of-climate-research/ 17 https://climateaudit.org/author/stevemcintyre/ 18 Prof. Curry points to the need for the climate scientists to do better at making data publicly available, to be completely transparent about their methods, to be honest about uncertainties, and to be more respectful to scientists critical of the research. “..two broader issues raised by these emails that are impeding the public credibility of climate research: lack of transparency in climate data, and “tribalism” in some segments of the climate research community that is impeding peer review and the assessment process.” Dr. Curry’s entire commentary on the aftermath of CLIMATEGATE is posted at the end of my testimony. 3. What global climate models can and can’t do well: Global climate models create a coarse grained simulation of earth’s climate system using computers. These models simulate atmosphere, ocean, land surface, sea ice, and glaciers. Models use complex mathematical equations that can only be approximately solved on computers. Some of the equations and climate models are based on laws of physics.. However, there are key processes in climate models that are approximated and not based on physical laws. Hence, there are a LOT of “tunable parameters” in these climate models, including solar direct effects and CLOUDS. Climate models can’t tell us anything about climate sensitivity to CO218, but recent studies may be shedding more light on CO2 saturation dynamics – Two recently-published papers found that doubling CO2 in the atmosphere led to minimal temperature increases. The calculated figures can be considered to be in margin of error territory and on past observational evidence they pose no threat to the climate on Earth. They also destroy the shaky scientific foundation upon which Net Zero rests. Eight Taiwanese scientists led by Professor Peng-Sheng Wei found that the sensitivity of the climate to a rise in CO2 atmospheric levels from 100 to 400 parts per million (ppm) was “negligibly small” at 0.3°C. The paper is complex and examines heat transfers as a function of longitude, latitude and altitude “as well as diffuse radiation determined by absorption bands based on wavelength, temperature and the concentration or pressure of carbon dioxide vapour.” 18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHhV_RY__ac https://mindandmatter.substack.com/p/judith-curry-climatology-climate https://www.nickjikomes.com/post/judith-curry-climatology-climate-change-computer-modeling-green- energy-greenhouse-gasses-84-1 19 The rest of the article above is posted at the end of this testimony. And there is still a factor of 3 uncertainty in these models, as per Dr. Curry. In addition, the effect of our solar system transiting through a highly magnetized interstellar cloud (which appears to be a factor in changes observed on ALL the planets, as per extensive David Wilcock references on Gaiam to scientific articles) is not included in these models - https://web.archive.org/web/20230604143301/https://science.nasa.gov/science- news/science-at-nasa/2009/23dec_voyager Global models are exceedingly complex .. and are amazing tools for trying to understand how global climate works, but are NOT fit for making future predictions, simulating regional climates or extreme weather or climate events. The Global Warming Policy Foundation – Climate Models For The Layman https://www.thegwpf.org › content › uploads › 2017 › 02 › Curry-2017.pdf Global Warming Policy Foundation – 2024 Annual GWTF Lecture (with transcript) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqsZV8i3O1E The most important gaps in current understanding of climate change (Climate Uncertainty and Risk by Judith A. Curry, page 8): • Solar impacts on climate, including indirect effects beyond solar heating • Multi-decadal and century-scale natural internal variability associated with large-scale ocean circulations • Mechanisms of vertical heat transfer in the ocean • Fast thermodynamic feedbacks (water vapor, clouds, atmospheric lapse rate) that determine the climate sensitivity to increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases • Earth’s carbon budget and carbon cycle • Ice sheet dynamics • Geothermal heat transfer under the oceans and ice sheets Disagreement – Causes of Recent Climate Change Climate is generally stable/Change caused by external inputs VERSUS Climate is dynamic/Change primarily occurs naturally E.G. Chart shows global sea level rise began around 1860, well before fossil carbon emissions became significant https://youtu.be/_2Bw52FjYi4 20 There remains a factor of 3 uncertainty in the sensitivity of the climate to increasing CO2. For radically reducing CO2 emissions to make any sense in terms of the climate, the climate sensitivity of CO2 would need to be on the high end and natural climate variability would need to be discounted. On the other hand, if the climate 21 sensitivity to increasing CO2 is on the low end and natural variability is dominant, then decreasing CO2 emissions won’t have much of a noticeable effect. Further, we are unable to predict SOLAR VARIATIONS, volcanic eruptions, and multidecadal oscillations, so there’s a great deal of uncertainty in the model. There’s a key difference between a scientific consensus and a consensus of scientists: Scientific consensus reflects our longstanding knowledge base about a topic about which there is, essentially, no scientific disagreement (e.g., earth orbits the sun). On the other hand, a consensus of scientists represents a deliberate expression of collective judgment by a group of scientists on a poorly understood topic. This is often at the official request of a government or organization, ergo will have political overtones and pressures. See Dr. Judith Curry testimony to Congressional subcommittee (link on page 1). NEW ENERGY SOURCES The Plan fails to account for emergence of energy systems that have nothing to do with fossil fuels, that will moot the basis for the assertion of anthropogenic climate change. Working models of patents (such as anti-gravity vehicles) already exist, according to U.S. Navy, in confirming Patent Office inquiries re whether to approve the patents submitted by Salvatore Cezar Pais, a Romanian-American scientist. In addition to the U.S. Navy/Salvatore Pais patents, there are thousands of suppressed patents, including clean (free, anti-gravity, zero point, etc.) energy production and propulsion systems and medical technology, many of which President Trump is committed to releasing, as first indicated in his 2017 inaugural address19. Although administrative agencies resisted his executive order and slowed the release of such patents to a mere trickle during his first term, there is every reason to believe THIS time the administrative response will be much livelier, far more in the public interest. President Trump had better luck in his first term with the category of “mysteries of space,” as referenced in that address, when he oversaw the creation of Space Force. See quote in footnote and the following screenshot. 19 “We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries, and technologies of tomorrow.” 22 Regarding patents for new energy options, propulsion, etc., with some working models already in existence. Listen to inventor Salvatore Cezar Pais (affiliated with U.S. Navy) on Curt Jaimungal’s Theory of Everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6QyAhTB3o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE4C7OI7Frg&t=0s 23 NEW STUDIES ON SATURATION OF CO2 AND ITS PLANETARY BENEFITS Dramatic evidence has been published in a number of recent science papers that carbon dioxide levels are already ‘saturated’, meaning little or no further warming is to be expected and rising CO2 levels are all beneficial. Half of human emissions are being quickly pushed back into the biosphere, the scientists say, causing substantial, famine-busting plant growth, while the rest is entering a ‘saturated’ atmosphere and having a minimal effect on global temperatures. One of the papers accepting the human involvement in rising CO2 is published by the CO2 Coalition, which notes: “We like CO2, so should you.” None of this work will be reported in the mainstream since it disrupts a ‘settled’ climate science narrative tied to the political Net Zero fantasy. But the opinion that humans control the climate thermostat by releasing CO2, leading to runaway temperatures, belongs to a dark period in science when it was captured to promote political aims. 24 However, work continues in skeptical climate circles to understand how a number of gases with warming properties behave in a chaotic, non-linear atmosphere. Two recently-published papers found that doubling CO2 in the atmosphere led to minimal temperature increases. The calculated figures can be considered to be in margin of error territory and on past observational evidence they pose no threat to the climate on Earth. They also destroy the shaky scientific foundation upon which Net Zero rests. Eight Taiwanese scientists led by Professor Peng-Sheng Wei found that the sensitivity of the climate to a rise in CO2 atmospheric levels from 100 to 400 parts per million (ppm) was “negligibly small” at 0.3°C. The paper is complex and examines heat transfers as a function of longitude, latitude and altitude “as well as diffuse radiation determined by absorption bands based on wavelength, temperature and the concentration or pressure of carbon dioxide vapour.” What the scientists are looking at here is the narrow absorption bands within the infrared (IR) spectrum that allow ‘greenhouse’ gases to trap heat and warm the planet. Many argue that after a certain level the gases ‘saturate’ and lose most of their warming properties. One simple way to understand this is to observe that doubling insulation in a loft will not trap twice as much heat. The saturation hypothesis would appear to explain how CO2 has been 10-15 times higher in the past without runaway temperatures, while the anthropogenic warming opinion does little more than provide scientific cover for a dodgy but fashionable extreme eco scare. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims a climate sensitivity number based on doubling CO2 levels of around 3°C. But many climate models ramp up mass public hysteria by using ‘pathways’ with much larger and highly improbable estimates. The latter form the basis of numerous ‘scientists say’ stories faithfully reported by unquestioning mainstream media. The Taiwanese scientists found that ground temperature warming of 0.3°C was associated with the increase from 100 ppm to 350 ppm and there was no additional warming at all as CO2 rose further from 350 ppm to 400 ppm. The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is 420 ppm. Seven Austrian scientists have also recently concentrated on CO2 and the infrared spectrum, noting that a future doubling of the gas up to 800 ppm “shows no increase in the IR absorption for the 15 u-central peak”. It is concluded that this can lead to 0.5°C warming at most. The scientists argue that climate models and their CO2 influences should be revised. Much more experimental evidence about IR radiation should be collected “before appointing current warming trends and climate change mechanisms monocausal to greenhouse gas theories.” The recent papers on CO2 saturation are not the only ones to have been published lately. Earlier this year a group of Polish scientists led by Dr. Jan Kubicki supplied three papers arguing that above 400 ppm, “the CO2 concentration can no longer cause any increase in temperature.” In 2023, three scientists including Atmospheric Professor Yi Huang of McGill University stated that: “in the CO2 band centre is unchanged by increased CO2 as the absorption is already saturated.” In Chen et al. 2023, it is reported that CO2 had a severely reduced warming effect past pre-industrial concentrations. It was also noted that water vapour and cloud influences overlap and thus dominate absorption in the CO2 IR band. In 2022, the German Physics Professor Dieter Schildnecht set the CO2 saturation level at just 300 ppm. The CO2 Coalition is an educational foundation that says it provides facts, resources and information about the “vital role” CO2 plays in the environment. It recently published a detailed paper that accepted humans had contributed most of the CO2 that has entered the atmosphere in industrial times. The paper is sub-titled: “How 25 human emissions are restoring vital atmospheric CO2.” The coalition has long promoted the role that saturation plays in tempering the effect of a number of gases with warming properties. Attention is often drawn in its work to the part played by water vapour that makes up around 4% of the atmosphere and contributes as much as 80% of the Earth’s vital warming. It saturates over large parts of the IR spectrum, reducing the effect of other gases in their own specific bands. The coalition’s board includes the distinguished Professor William Happer, who has long argued the merits of the saturation hypothesis, and it was recently joined by the 2022 Nobel Physics Laureate Dr. John Clauser. Levels of CO2 have been much higher in the past, with evidence of vibrant animal and plant life. Many plants evolved to thrive with higher levels than they feed on today, a period some scientists argue is one of CO2 denudation. In its recently published paper, the coalition observes that the higher the CO2 content in the atmosphere, the greater the pressure from physical processes to drive CO2 into the oceans and vegetation. This is borne out by considerable evidence, although the recent substantial ‘greening’ of the planet is largely hidden from readers reliant on mainstream media. In fact the new ‘green revolution’ is feeding the world. The authors of a recent science paper, Charles Taylor and Wolfram Schlenker, state: “We consistently find a large fertilisation effect; a 1 ppm increase in CO2 equates to a 0.4%, 0.6%, 1% yield increase for corn, soybean and wheat respectively.” The heavy greening of the Earth can be seen in a map first published in Donohue/CSIRO 2015 and republished in another recent paper from the CO2 Coalition. This examined the nutritive value of plants growing in enhanced CO2 concentrations. The map was produced from satellite leaf data and shows that greening between 1982-2012 grew by 20-30% in India, West Australia, the Sahel and the Anatolian highlands. A more recent paper Chen et al. 2024 found that greening had actually accelerated in the last two decades. The increase in CO2 was found to be the dominant driver of the positive trend of the Leaf Area Index over most of the global land surface. Article author: Chris Morrison Curry – On The Credibility Of Climate Research Nov. 22, 2009 Having been riveted for the last few days by posts in the blogosphere on the HADCRU hack and the increasing attention being given to this by the mainstream media, I would 26 like to provide an “external but insider” assessment and perspective. My perspective is as a climate researcher that is not involved directly in any of the controversies and issues in the purloined HADCRU emails, but as one that is familiar with this research, the surrounding controversies, and many of the individuals who sent these emails. While the blogosphere has identified many emails that allegedly indicate malfeasance, clarifications especially from Gavin Schmidt have been very helpful in providing explanations and the appropriate context for these emails. However, even if the hacked emails from HADCRU end up to be much ado about nothing in the context of any actual misfeasance that impacts the climate data records, the damage to the public credibility of climate research is likely to be significant. In my opinion, there are two broader issues raised by these emails that are impeding the public credibility of climate research: lack of transparency in climate data, and “tribalism” in some segments of the climate research community that is impeding peer review and the assessment process. 1. Transparency. Climate data needs to be publicly available and well documented. This includes metadata that explains how the data were treated and manipulated, what assumptions were made in assembling the data sets, and what data was omitted and why. This would seem to be an obvious and simple requirement, but the need for such transparency has only been voiced recently as the policy relevance of climate data has increased. The HADCRU surface climate dataset and the paleoclimate dataset that has gone into the various “hockeystick” analyses stand out as lacking such transparency. Much of the paleoclimate data and metadata has become available only because of continued public pressure from Steve McIntyre. Datasets that were processed and developed decades ago and that are now regarded as essential elements of the climate data record often contain elements whose raw data or metadata were not preserved (this appears to be the case with HADCRUT). The HADCRU surface climate dataset needs public documentation that details the time period and location of individual station measurements used in the data set, statistical adjustments to the data, how the data were analyzed to produce the climatology, and what measurements were omitted and why. If these data and metadata are unavailable, I would argue that the data set needs to be reprocessed (presumably the original raw data is available from the original sources). Climate data sets should be regularly reprocessed as new data becomes available and analysis methods improve. There are a number of aspects of the surface climate record that need to be understood better. For example, the surface temperature bump ca. 1940 needs to be sorted out, and I am personally lacking confidence in how this period is being treated in the HADCRUT analysis. In summary, given the growing policy relevance of climate data, increasingly higher standards must be applied to the transparency and availability of climate data and metadata. These standards should be clarified, applied and enforced by the relevant national funding agencies and professional societies that publish scientific journals. 2. Climate tribalism. Tribalism is defined here as a strong identity that separates one’s group from members of another group, characterized by strong in-group loyalty and regarding other groups differing from the tribe’s defining characteristics as inferior. In the context of scientific research, tribes differ from groups of colleagues that collaborate and otherwise associate with each other professionally. As a result of the politicization of climate science, climate tribes (consisting of a small number of climate researchers) were 27 established in response to the politically motivated climate disinformation machine that was associated with e.g. ExxonMobil, CEI, Inhofe/Morano etc. The reaction of the climate tribes to the political assault has been to circle the wagons and point the guns outward in an attempt to discredit misinformation from politicized advocacy groups. The motivation of scientists in the pro AGW tribes appears to be less about politics and more about professional ego and scientific integrity as their research was under assault for nonscientific reasons (I’m sure there are individual exceptions, but this is my overall perception). I became adopted into a “tribe” during Autumn 2005 after publication of the Webster et al. hurricane and global warming paper. I and my colleagues were totally bewildered and overwhelmed by the assault we found ourselves under, and associating with a tribe where others were more experienced and savvy about how to deal with this was a relief and very helpful at the time. After becoming more knowledgeable about the politics of climate change (both the external politics and the internal politics within the climate field), I became concerned about some of the tribes pointing their guns inward at other climate researchers who question their research or don’t pass various loyalty tests. I even started spending time at climateaudit, and my public congratulations to Steve McIntyre when climateaudit won the “best science blog award” was greeted with a rather unpleasant email from one of the tribal members. While the “hurricane wars” fizzled out in less than a year as the scientists recovered from the external assault and got back to business as usual in terms of arguing science with their colleagues, the “hockey wars” have continued apparently unabated. With the publication of the IPCC 4th Assessment report, the Nobel Peace Prize, and energy legislation near the top of the national legislative agenda, the “denialists” were becoming increasingly irrelevant (the Heartland Conference and NIPCC are not exactly household words). Hence it is difficult to understand the continued circling of the wagons by some climate researchers with guns pointed at skeptical researchers by apparently trying to withhold data and other information of relevance to published research, thwart the peer review process, and keep papers out of assessment reports. Scientists are of course human, and short-term emotional responses to attacks and adversity are to be expected, but I am particularly concerned by this apparent systematic and continuing behavior from scientists that hold editorial positions, serve on important boards and committees and participate in the major assessment reports. It is these issues revealed in the HADCRU emails that concern me the most, and it seems difficult to spin many of the emails related to FOIA, peer review, and the assessment process. I sincerely hope that these emails do not in actuality reflect what they appear to, and I encourage Gavin Schmidt et al. to continue explaining the individual emails and the broader issues of concern. In summary, the problem seems to be that the circling of the wagons strategy developed by small groups of climate researchers in response to the politically motivated attacks against climate science are now being used against other climate researchers and the more technical blogs (e.g. Climateaudit, Lucia, etc). Particularly on a topic of such great public relevance, scientists need to consider carefully skeptical arguments and either rebut them or learn from them. Trying to suppress them or discredit the skeptical researcher or blogger is not an ethical strategy and one that will backfire in the long run. I have some sympathy for Phil Jones’ concern of not wanting to lose control of his personal research agenda by having to take the time to respond to all the queries and 28 requests regarding his dataset, but the receipt of large amounts of public funding pretty much obligates CRU to respond to these requests. The number of such requests would be drastically diminished if all relevant and available data and metadata were made publicly accessible, and if requests from Steve McIntyre were honored (I assume that many spurious requests have been made to support Steve McIntyre’s request, and these would all disappear). The HADCRU hack has substantially increased the relevance of Climateaudit, WUWT, etc. The quickest way for HADCRU et al. to put Climateaudit and the rest of this tribe out of business is make all climate data and metadata public and make every effort to improve the datasets based on all feedback that you receive. Do this and they will quickly run out of steam and become irrelevant . Gavin Schmidt’s current efforts at realclimate are a good step in the right direction of increasing transparency. But the broader issue is the need to increase the public credibility of climate science. This requires publicly available data and metadata, a rigorous peer review process, and responding to arguments raised by skeptics. The integrity of individual scientists that are in positions of responsibility (e.g. administrators at major research institutions, editorial boards, major committees, and assessments) is particularly important for the public credibility of climate science. The need for public credibility and transparency has dramatically increased in recent years as the policy relevance of climate research has increased. The climate research enterprise has not yet adapted to this need, and our institutions need to strategize to respond to this need. https://climateaudit.org/2009/11/22/curry-on-the-credibility-of-climate-research/ XX. Editor of major newspaper says he planted stories for CIA https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/editor-of-major-german-newspaper-says-he- planted-stories-for-cia/article/424470 By Ralph Lopez Published January 26, 2015 Saying he believes a medical condition gives him only a few years to live, and that he is filled with remorse, Dr. Udo Ulfkotte, the editor of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, one of Germany’s largest newspapers, said in an interview that he allegedly accepted news stories written and given to him by the CIA and published them under his own name. Ulfkotte said he gathered the aim of much of the deception was to drive nations toward war. Dr. Ulfkotte says the corruption of journalists and major news outlets by the CIA is routine, accepted, and widespread in the western media, and that journalists who do not comply either cannot get jobs at any news organization, or find their careers cut short. Dr. Ulfkotte is the author of a book currently available only in German, “Bought Journalists” (Kopp 2014. – now available in the U.S. as Presstitutes Embedded In The 29 Pay Of The CIA.) Aged 55, he was also once an advisor to the government of German Chancellor Helmet Kohl. Among the stories Ulfkotte says he was ordered to plant in his newspaper over the years was a story that Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi was building poison gas factories in 2011. Ulfkotte also claims he was an eyewitness to Saddam Hussein’s use of poison gas against Iranians in the war between Iran and Iraq, but that the editors he worked for at the time were not interested, because Iraq was a US ally at the time. It should be noted his allegations have not been corroborated by a third party. Ulfkotte says he is better positioned to come forward than many journalists because he does not have children who could be threatened. Ulfkotte told the Russian newspaper Russian Insider (RI): “When I told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Ulfkotte’s newspaper) that I would publish the book, their lawyers sent me a letter threatening with all legal consequences if I would publish any names or secrets – but I don’t mind. You see, I don’t have children to take care of. And you must know I was severely injured during the gas attack I witnessed in Iran in 1988. I’m the sole German survivor from a German poison gas attack. I’m still suffering from this. I’ve had three heart attacks. I don’t expect to live for more than a few years.” Ulfkotte says that remorse of having “lied” to mass audiences over the years drove him to come forward. He told RI that he was: “taught to lie, to betray and not to tell the truth to the public.” Ulfkotte says: “I’m ashamed I was part of it. Unfortunately I cannot reverse this.” Among the admissions that Ulfkotte makes in the interview are putting his own name to articles completely written by intelligence agencies. He said: “I ended up publishing articles under my own name written by agents of the CIA and other intelligence services, especially the German secret service.” Ulfkotte detailed the pattern of cajolery and outright bribery used by the CIA and other US-allied intelligence agencies, for the purpose of advancing political agendas. Ulfkotte said: “once you’re connected, you make friends with selected Americans. You think they are your friends and you start cooperating. They work on your ego, make you feel like you’re important. And one day one of them will ask you ‘Will you do me this favor’…” 30 Ulfkotte noted that a journalists on international press trips paid for by organizations close to the government are unlikely to submit a storyline not favorable to the sponsor. Dr. Udo Ulfkotte hungarytoday.hu Of the gassing of Iranians he had witnessed in the Eighties, Ulfkotte said: “they asked me to hand over the photos that I had made to the German association of chemical companies in Frankfurt, Verband der Chemischen Industrie. This poison gas that had killed so many Iranians was made in Germany.” In an interview with Russia Today, Ulfkotte said that it was “not right” what he had done, and that his fear was that politicians were actively driving the world toward war: “it is not right what I have done in the past, to manipulate people, to make propaganda against Russia, and it is not right what my colleagues do, and have done in the past, because they are bribed to betray the people not only in Germany, all over Europe. … I am very fearful of a new war in Europe, and I don’t like to have this situation again, because war is never coming from itself, there is always people who push for war, and this is not only politicians, it is journalists too. … We have betrayed our readers, just to push for war. … I don’t want this anymore, I’m fed up with this propaganda. We live in a banana republic, and not in a democratic country where we have press freedom…” In his book “The CIA and the Media,” Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein quotes William B. Bader, former CIA intelligence officer, in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Baeder said: “There is quite an incredible spread of relationships. You don’t need to manipulate Time magazine, for example, because there are [Central Intelligence] Agency people at the management level.” Bernstein writes: “The Agency’s relationship with the Times was by far its most valuable among newspapers, according to CIA officials. From 1950 to 1966, about ten CIA employees were provided Times cover under arrangements approved by the newspaper’s late publisher, Arthur Hays Sulzberger. The cover arrangements were part of a general Times policy—set by Sulzberger—to provide assistance to the CIA whenever possible.” Ulfkotte was on the staff of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation from 1999 to 2003, according to his Wikipedia entry. He won the civic prize from the Annette Barthelt Foundation in 2003. 31 XXI. Dr. David Martin Exposes the Names and Faces of the People Who Are Killing Humanity; Red Pill Expo, November 19, 2021 https://www.jamesjpn.net/conspiracy/dr-david-martin-who-they-are-the-names-and- faces-behind-the-criminal-coronavirus-conspiracy/ https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2021/11/20/dr-david-martin-who-they-are-the- names-and-faces If you thought the last Dr David Martin talk was exciting, this one, which he gave at the Red Pill Expo is positively electrifying. He says that this is “final” speech but that we will be hearing from him, only it will be a new version: No more Mr Nice Guy. We get to see a bit of that in this presentation. He is angry. David has put the names and faces of all of the major players in the theater of the COVID War onto one slide, which he says is important, because “We energize the forces of darkness when we anonymize them and when we see their faces on a screen, we realize that they’re merely individuals that have lost the social contract with humanity.” The purpose of this talk is to de-mystify the “they” of the COVID War. THE COVID PRIVATEERS “How many of you are familiar with the company, Anser? I love having this moment. Do you know they are the single largest contractor in the entire COVID terrorism campaign?… “The companies on the right, that you think are the ones running this show [Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Merck Ridgeback, Gilead Sciences], are in fact a front [for the companies on the left, Anser, Fors-Marsh, Palantir, Publicis Sapient]. “And you know what a front organization is? They’re the ones that are supposed to take the flack and take the heat. The ones on the left are the ones that actually got the money. Operation Warp Speed went to Anser. “You didn’t know that, because you were told by the media that it went to Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and all that kind of stuff. That’s not true. The prime contract of Operation Warp Speed went through Anser, a company none of you had heard of! “And you didn’t hear about them because the contract was signed by ATI, a company based in South Carolina, a company whose history has been government defense contracts for the purposes of propaganda! 32 I wish I made that up. The prime contractor selected to run Operation Warp Speed was a propaganda expert for the US Department of Defense… “Anser is the way for the Federal Government never to be liable for the criminal conspiracy they know they ran. They are now one of the top ten Federal Contractors in history, below Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon and all those guys. “Those names you know. You don’t know Anser, the single company that, by COVID rose – the highest-ranked rise in the history of federal contracting; the highest single-year rise, ever was Anser – and none of you know who they are!… “Anser Corporation, they’re the ones running Operation Warp Speed and they’ve been set up to shield these manufacturers from ever taking the financial liability for their willful misconduct. And one day, everybody’s gonna go, ‘Let’s sue Pfizer! Let’s go sue everybody else! And the only problem is when we go to sue them, they say, ‘Hey! It wasn’t us!’ And they’re right and all of us were asleep. And I’m talking to a woke crowd, here and all of you were asleep. “Don’t tell me you’re awake if you’re still sleeping, because if you didn’t know who Anser is, you’re still asleep! IT GETS WORSE… “It gets worse. Fors-Marsh, anybody know Fors-Marsh?…They’re the branding agency that branded COVID. They’re the ones who make sure we find hospitals that are overrun with people. They’re the ones who find kids that died of COVID right before the FDA needs to vote on giving kids injections. They’re the ones that go around the world, making sure every message is always the same: ‘We will not return to normal until we have a vaccine.’ Thank you, Justin Trudeau! Where’d you get the script? From Fors-Marsh! And how many of you knew that? None of ya! “How about Palantir? Hey, that’s a weird one, isn’t it? Peter Thiel, who has successfully run a company that has lost $200 million plus, every year for about seven or eight years, goes public in the middle of COVID. Isn’t timing interesting? Isn’t it fascinating that a company that’s done nothing but lose billions of dollars goes public in the middle of the worst economic cycle we’ve had? Isn’t that funny? And did you actually go back and read their public offering? Hah! Funny! I know you didn’t, because there really wasn’t one, that’s why you didn’t read it! “Because they went public in this very bizarre, backdoor way of actually selling founder’s stock into the market, so we got personally-enriched – personally-enriched – using the public market as the laundering facility. Isn’t that brilliant? 33 “But let’s look at what they did for our COVID scandal. They actually came up with a thing called Gotham Data Tracking…you know what that does? That’s making sure that every time you turn your phone on, when you get off the plane, when you cross the state line, it gives you a little tag that goes, ‘Hey, do you want a COVID alert in your neighborhood?’ You know why? Because you are being monitored. Your phone is being monitored. Your transactions are being monitored, your credit cards are being monitored, your health behavior’s being monitored, your vaccine status is being monitored and it’s all done under the contract run by Gotham Data Sciences, the company that went public during COVID – and none of you knew about this. “And you’ve been to Red Pills! And you still haven’t taken the Red Pill! And by the way, I’m not even to the good slide, yet. So be depressed! ‘Cause it’s getting worse! “Publicis Sapient, the Health and Human Services’ IT contract. Have you ever wondered how the data never seems to add up? Somebody always has allegedly the same reportable data? “Publicis Sapient has the Health and Human Services’ IT contract to consolidate all of the data, so guess what happens? Everybody has the same number of COVID cases to report, when somebody from the media calls and says, ‘Hey, how many cases do we have?’ ‘Oh, 40,000’. ‘Oh, round number, 40,000’… “When, in the course of human history has a round number involving the word ‘thousand’ ever happened? There’s never been a 10,000 heart day, there’s never been a round number day – until you actually control the Department of Health and Human Services’ entire IT platform and not one of you knows that that’s a single contract, run by Publicis Sapient… “You’ve been focused on the right hand side the whole time and the left hand side is doing the dirty work. THE COVID PIRATES “Now, why do I call them ‘privateers’? How many are familiar with the difference between a pirate and a privateer? Pirates go rape and marauding and stealing and…a privateer is the same thing, that has permission to do it by a government that’s gone corrupt. That’s what these are (points to the slide of COVID contractors). They’re the privateers. But hey, since we have privateers, it feels only appropriate that if we have a world of privateers, we should also…have a world of pirates. And here’s our pirates.” New slide shows the universities who’ve been involved in the COVID War: UNC Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt, Emory, Johns Hopkins, University of California System, MIT, NYU Langone, DZIF, Imperial College, IHME, Erasmus Medical Center. 34 “Pirates. UNC Chapel Hill, I talked about that. That’s the guy who actually made the weapon, Ralph Baric. Since 1999, $100 million to weaponize the particles of coronavirus. Over $100 million. You’ve heard about $3.7 million going to Wuhan – ohhhh – 3.7 million, that feels like a bad number. “And how ’bout $28 billion of that coming from DARPA for their bioweapons initiative? Anybody heard of $28 billion that went through Anthony Fauci at NIAID? Anyone hear about the $20 billion that went directly to UNC Chapel Hill, that weaponized spike protein? “You haven’t heard about that, you haven’t heard about that because we’ve been talking about $3.7 million going to Wuhan. Stop being distracted by the cover story!…Because the distraction is where the interesting thing is. “UNC Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt, Emory, Johns Hopkins and University of California: those are the pirates that have made the most money on federally-granted, disclosed money going into the university sector. I’m calling them ‘pirates’ for a very good reason. They justify all of this in the name of science and education… “I don’t even care whether these people pretend to hide behind the ‘It’s an academic research project’ to try and get out of the bioweapons definition. The bioweapons definition says that if you enable a foreign entity to build something known to harm humanity, you have already created a felony, you are going to jail for the rest of your life and you are liable for $100 million penalty. “So guess what? Welcome to Hell, all five of these universities! Because they’re all felons! All of ’em! “And how ’bout the right hand side? MIT, New York University Langone – hey, by the way, Langone? Where did that name come from? Ken Langone? Anybody? Oh! I’m not supposed to say that name out loud, Ken Langone, except I just did, didn’t I? Ken Langone… “They’re actually putting their name on the letterhead and you don’t know who to look for! You’re still being told, ‘Oh, it’s the Rothschilds and it’s the Rockefellers! “No, it’s not! It’s the guy who put his name on the facility! How many of you know who Ken Langone is? Guess what? Look it up! Because that’s a pretty big thing that you should be aware of and unfortunately, you’re not aware of it, for a very good reason because he hid it in plain site, on the name of the medical center. New York University Langone, like that’s a really hard thing to find. 35 “DZIF Charité…you’ve heard of Dr Christian Drosten, the Crazy-in-Chief in Germany who’s kind of Anthony Fauci and Ralph Baric’s evil stepchild, Imperial College, the criminal conspirators who came up with the fear porn of how many people were going to die, IHME, the University of Washington program, but the one I want to bring your attention to is the one at the bottom, Erasmus Medical Center. “Bart Haagmans…In 2002,Bart Haagmans was an interesting dude, because he actually figured out a way to build a bunch of patents around the vaccines for the coronavirus. Mysteriously, the European Union in 2012 started giving him massive, massive grants to run a thing called Zapi. “And Zapi was the zoonotic disease transmission laboratory for the European Union. And Bart seemed to always get the money. Now, this is fascinating because Bart was also the one who decided to patent MERS. The Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, remember that one? The one that never really happened but kinda happened in 2012-13? Bart was the one that patented MERS… “Erasmus Medical Center, actually, in their public statement, when they were confronted with the lie, where they said that they hadn’t filed a patent on the actual genome – kinda like the CDC said in 2007 – when confronted with the lie, they said in public – and you can’t make this sh!t up, People, it’s so funny! They said, ‘Well, what we said was not entirely false in all jurisdictions in the world.’ THE COVID ORCHESTRA “But this, Ladies and Gentlemen is the slide you wanted to see. This is actually the names and faces of the people who are, in fact killing humanity. And that’s ALL of them. Now, here’s the bad news: There’s a lot of people on that slide, aren’t there? Here’s the better news…I’ll actually give you all this slide, because why not? Lets make sure that we don’t ever forget the names and the faces of the people who decided to kill us…” Here is a list of all the people in that slide: · Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries · Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees WEF · Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action · Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Canada · Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF · Queen Rania of Jordan · David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Carlyle Group · Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, WEF · Marc Benioff, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Salesforce, WEF Trustee, WEF Young Global Leader · Thomas Buberl, CEO, AXA · Laurence Fink, Chairman & CEO, BlackRock · Orit Gadiesh, Chairman, Bain & Company · Fabiola Gianotti, Director General, CERN 36 · L. Rafael Reif, President of MIT · Mark Schneider, CEO, Nestlé · Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Defense Minister, Singapore · Robert Mercer, Renaissance Fund · Larry Page, Google · Al Gore, Environmentalist · Angel Gurría, Secretary General OECD · Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information Communication Technology, Rwanda · Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist · Luis Alberto Moreno, WEF Young Global Leader · Jim Hagemann Snabe, Chairman of Siemens and of Maersk · Feike Sijbesma, Philco · Zhu Min, Deputy Managing Director, IMF · Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook/Meta · Bill Gates, Microsoft · Herman Gref, CEO, Sberbank · André Hoffmann, Vice-Chairman Hoffman-La Roche · Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank · Peter Maurer, President, Red Cross · Patrice Motsepe, Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals · Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture · Heizo Takenaka, Economist · Dustin Moskovitz, Open Philanthropy David continues, “I want you to have some looks on there. Some are kind of interesting, like cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Did you hear me say that? Cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. “How about the head of the Wellcome Trust? Not surprising, there, right? How about Princess Rania of Jordan? Ooh, that’s weird. “How about the woman who happens to be sitting at the helm of the leadership of the government of Canada but conveniently out of sight but running 100% of the money for the government of Canada. “How about all of these interesting people like, Jim Hagemann Snabe, how about Zhu Min, Chairman of the National Institute of Financial Research in China? “And what makes these individuals interesting is that when you look at them, you find out something very important. Almost none of them have sought public visibility. Isn’t that funny? Which makes me pick on one of them. The guy I have here, at the bottom corner. And I have to give him credit. He has done so much to stay out of sight. “I’ve got 12 minutes left. I’ve got to spend a couple of minutes on the guy who’s paid 37 every search engine optimization to keep his name out of search engines and I’m doing it so that is costs him sh!tloads to keep all of you silent. DUSTIN MOSKOVITZ: EDITING THE HUMAN GENOME “So let’s get really clear on Dustin Moskovitz. Shall we, Dustin Moskovitz?…You little piece of sh!t! Let’s talk about him for a minute. The Co-Founder of Facebook that you’ve never heard of…also the guy who founded Open Philanthropy, who was the actual check-writer for Event 201. You were told that it was the World Economic Forum. You were told it was the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. You were told it was Johns Hopkins University. But the actual check that cleared for the program was signed by none other than Dustin Moskovitz… “Now, I’m picking on him for a good reason. He’s a felon, he’s a criminal. He is one of the most sociopathic, psychopathic, crazy people walking the planet and he’s paid to keep his name in private. So guess what? Don’t let him! The reason why I want to give you this slide is because I want every one of them named. I want them all publicly named. “Because it’s time that we start going through the reality of saying, ‘We the People are not going to let mass-murderers get away anonymously mass-murdering people. We are not going to allow that to happen! Not on our watch! And that’s why you have this slide… “But let’s go back to Dustin. Isn’t it interesting that Dustin conveniently decided to shroud this entire public health crisis in a self-serving, self-interested investment objective? He owns Sherlock biosciences. Sherlock Biosciences happens to be the company that owns the CRISPR technology that is the joint venture between the United States and China on gene editing the human genome… “Dustin Moskovitz knew that if he actually tried to take this technology into the public, nobody would be willing to do it, particularly, given the fact that it’s a JV [joint venture] between him and the government of China. That’s the reason why we’d have a problem with it. Because it feels like eugenics. You know why it feels like eugenics? Because it is eugenics, that’s why it feels like it! That’s why it feels like Cold Spring Harbor Labs… “The only way we could get gene editing technology approved was with an Emergency Use Authorization. Not surprisingly, once everybody was distracted on vaccines and everybody was distracted on RTPCR and everybody was distracted on everything else, Sherlock Biosciences slipped their Emergency Use Authorization application into the FDA – and got it. In other words, using the cover of COVID, which all of us are pretending to talk about, the editing of the human genome was approved and not one of us said a thing. 38 “Now, if you were going to edit the human genome, do you think you’d need a good cover story to actually hide what you’re really doing? You’d probably find the guy who has the biggest financial interest in doing it and make sure, that while everyone is looking over at coronavirus and COVID and trying to figure out these Lab Leak Hypothesis – there’s no Lab Leak Hypothesis, because there’s no lab leak! “So stop taking about lab leaks! there is no lab leak. This is the willful weaponization of a spike protein, that’s what it is. It’s an act of war, it’s not a leak. We need to start calling it what it is. It’s an act of war. It’s an act of war against humanity. “We stop pretending to take their bait and follow their stupid rabbit trails and follow stupid rabbit trails into stupid rabbit holes and wonder why there’s a bunch of pee and piss and poo that smells like rabbit warrens. Well, it smells like it because that’s what you find at the end of a rabbit trail. “We need to be focused on the point and people like Dustin Moskovitz and this slide is going to be shared with everyone in this room, because it is incumbent on you. Now you know. Now you must act. Because when we talk about the ‘they’, we empower the ‘they’. “But when we talk about the names of people, we humanize the sociopathic behavior. We humanize the fact that there are individuals and organizations that are willfully murdering the humanity that we know and love and we cannot let that happen on our watch. It is incumbent on all us to get those words out.” THE COVID CONSPIRING STATES The next slide shows the countries of the US, Canada, UK, Germany, South Africa, China and Australia and the logos of the following corporations: BlackRock, AXA, HSBC, International Monetary Fund, United Healthcare, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. “The most important part of this slide is what I put in the Atlantic Ocean, because the real nation-state isn’t a nation-state. Listen!…The Treaty of Westphalia, the stupid idea of drawing lines on maps and calling them countries has long been dead. “The real control is that,” (points to the slide), “what I call the ‘Atlantic Coalition of Doom.’ The Atlantic Coalition of Doom: BlackRock, AXA, the International Monetary Fund, HSBC, ICBC and you guessed it, United Healthcare… “United Healthcare is a corrupt organization. It is a corrupt organization. It must be called what it is. It is actually the most manipulative corporate structures known to humanity, because what it does is it matches life insurance and insurance products with the delivery of healthcare, so they can so what? Manage your health? Oh-ho-ho no! Bet against the timing of your death. “That’s the internal arbitrage. It is the wet dream of the Lloyd’s of London syndicate. 39 They would have loved to have had this opportunity. But guess what? They didn’t. United Healthcare did. They put two things together, which means they get to manage your life so they can time your death, so they can profit on both.” XXII. TRANSCRIPT Of Dr David E. Martin's Speech At The European Union Parliament, Covid Summit, MAY 2023 https://rumble.com/v2ncp8w-dr-david-e.-martin-phd-covid-summit-european-union- parliament-may-2023.html It is a, it is a particularly interesting location for me to be sitting today, given that over a decade ago I sat in this very chair right here in the European Union Parliament. And at that time I warned the world of what was coming, during that conversation that was hosted at the time by the Green and EFA and a number of the other parties of the European Unions, of various representations. We were having a conversation on whether Europe should adopt the United States policy of allowing for the patents on biologically derived materials. And at the time I urged this body and I urged people around the world that the weaponization of nature against humanity had dire consequences. Tragically, I sit here today, with that unfortunate line that I don't like to say, which is “I told you so.” But the fact of the matter is, we're here not for a reprisal on past decisions. We're here to actually, once again, come to the face of the human condition and ask the question, who do we want to be? What do we want humanity to look like? And rather than seeing this as an exercise in futility, which is very easy from time to time when you're in the position I'm in, I actually see this not as an exercise in futility. I see this as one of the greatest opportunities that faces us because we now have a public conversation, which is now front and center in people's minds. When this was an esoteric conversation about biological patents, nobody cared. But when that conversation came home, then it became something people can care about. So I'm actually quite grateful for this opportunity. I thank the members of Parliament for hosting this. I thank all of the translators who I apologize in advance. I will use terminology that is probably very difficult to translate, so my apologies, and I'd also like to acknowledge the fact that many of you are aware of my involvement with this in large part due to the amazing work of my wonderful wife, Kim Martin, who encouraged me at the very early days of this pandemic to get on front of the camera and talk about all the information that I had been sharing among very small groups around the world. And it was in fact her encouragement that put me in a place where many of you have heard what I have to say. Ironically, the world that I came from that used to be very popular, my CNBC and Bloomberg presentations, which were televised on mainstream media around the world, was an audience that I lost. I can confidently say Covid diminished my fame, but I can also confidently say that I'd rather stand among the people with whom I'm standing today than any of the 40 folks that were part of that previous world. So, this is a much better place to be. My role today is to set the stage for this conversation in a historical context, because this did not come in the last three years. This did not come in the last five or six years. This actually is an ongoing question that probably began here in Europe in the early stages of the mid 19 hundreds, but certainly by 1913, 1914, this conversation started right here in Central Europe. The pandemic that we alleged to have happen in the last few years also did not happen overnight. In fact, the very specific pandemic using coronavirus began in a very different time. Most of you don't know that Coronavirus as a model of a pathogen was isolated in 1965. Coronavirus was identified in 1965 as one of the first infectious, replicatable viral models that could be used to modify a series of other experiences of human condition. It was isolated once upon a time associated with the common cold. But what's particularly interesting about its isolation in 1965 was that it was immediately identified as a pathogen that could be used and modified for a whole host of reasons. And you heard me correctly, that was 1965. And by the way, these slides are public domain. You're welcome to look at every single reference. Every comment that I made is based on published material. So do make sure that you look at those references. But in 1966, the very first COV Coronavirus model was used as a transatlantic biological experiment in human manipulation, and you heard the date 1966. I hope you're getting the point of what I'm saying. This is not an overnight thing. This is actually something that's been long in the making. A year before I was born, we had the first Trans-Atlantic coronavirus data sharing experiment between the United States and the United Kingdom. And in 1967, the year I was born, we did the first human trials on inoculating people with modified coronavirus. Isn't that amazing? 56 years ago, the overnight success of a pathogen that's been 56 years in engineering, and I want that to chill with all of you. Where were we when we actually allowed in violation of biological and chemical weapons treaties? Where were we as a human civilization when we thought it was an acceptable thing to do to take a pathogen for the United States and infect the world with it? Where was that conversation and what should have been that conversation in 1967? That conversation wasn't had. Ironically, the common cold was turned into a chimera in the 1970s, and in 1975, 1976 and 1977, we started figuring out how to modify coronavirus by putting it into different animals. Pigs and dogs. 41 And not surprisingly, by the time we got to 1990, we found out that coronavirus as a infectious agent was an industrial problem for two primary industries, the industries of dogs and pigs. Dog breeders and pigs found that Coronavirus created gastrointestinal problems, and that became the basis for Pfizer's first spike protein vaccine. Patent filed. Are you ready for this In 1990? Did you hear what I just said? 1990. Operation Warpspeed. I'm sorry. Where's the warp and the speed? Pfizer 1990. The very first spike protein vaccine for Coronavirus. Isn't that fascinating? Isn't it fascinating that we were, we were told that, well, the spike protein is a new thing. We just found out that that's the problem. No. As a matter of fact, we didn't just find out it was not just now. Now the problem, we found that out in 1990 and filed the first patents on vaccines in 1990 for the spike protein of Coronavirus. And who would've thought Pfizer? Clearly the innocent organization that does nothing but promote human health. Clearly, Pfizer, the organization that has not bought the votes in this chamber, in every chamber of every government around the world, not that Pfizer, certainly they wouldn't have had anything to do with this, but oh yes, they did. And in 1990 they found out that there was a problem with vaccines. They didn't work. You know why they didn't work? It turns out that Coronavirus is a very malleable model. It transforms and it changes, and it mutates over time. As a matter of fact, every publication on vaccines for Coronavirus from 1990 until 2018, every single publication concluded that Coronavirus escapes the vaccine impulse because it modifies and mutates too quickly for vaccines to be effective. And since 1990 to 2018, that is the published science ladies and gentlemen, that's following the science, following the science is their own indictment of their own programs that said, it doesn't work. And there are thousands of publications to that effect, not a few hundred. And not paid for by pharmaceutical companies. These are publications that are independent scientific research that shows unequivocally including efforts of the chimera modifications made by Ralph Bair in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. All of them show vaccines do not work on coronavirus. That's the science, and that science has never been disputed. But then we had an interesting development in 2002, and this date is most important because in 2002, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill patented, and I quote, an infectious replication defective clone of coronavirus. 42 Listen to those words … Infectious replication, defective. What does that phrase actually mean? For those of you not familiar with language, let me unpack it for you. Infectious replication. Defective means a weapon. It means something meant to target an individual but not have collateral damage to other individuals. That's what infectious replication defective means. And that patent was filed in 2002 on work funded by NIAID's Anthony Fauci from 1999 to 2002, and that work patented at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill mysteriously preceded SARS 1.0 by a year. “Dave, are you suggesting that SARS 1.0 wasn't from a wet market in Wuhan?” “Are you suggesting it might have come from a laboratory in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill?” No, I'm not suggesting it. I'm telling you that's the facts we engineered SARS. SARS is not a naturally occurring phenomenon. The naturally occurring phenomenon is called the common cold. It's called influenza-like illness. It's called gastroenteritis. That's the naturally occurring coronavirus. SARS is the research developed by humans weaponizing a life system model to actually attack human beings, and they patented it in 2002. And in 2003, giant surprise, the CDC filed the patent on Coronavirus isolated from humans in violation once again of biological and chemical weapons, treaties and laws that we have in the United States, and I'm very, very precise on this. United States likes to talk about its rights and everything else, and the rule of law and all the nonsense that we like to talk about, but we don't ratify treaties about, I don't know, defending humans. We conspicuously avoid that we actually have a great track record of advocating for human rights and then denying them when it comes to actually being part of the international community, which is a slightly problematic thing. But let's get something very clear. When the CDC, in April of 2003 filed the patent on SARS Coronavirus isolated from humans, what did they do? They downloaded a sequence from China, and filed a patent on it in the United States. Any of you familiar with biological and chemical weapons treaties knows that's a violation. That's a crime. That's not an innocent, oops; that's a crime. And the United States Patent Office went as far as to reject that patent application on two occasions until the CDC decided to bribe the patent office to override the patent examiner to ultimately issue the patent in 2007 on SARS Coronavirus. But let's not let that get away from us, because it turns out that the RT PCR, which was 43 the test that we allegedly were going to use to identify the risks associated with coronavirus, was actually identified as a bioterrorism threat by me in the European Union sponsored events in 2002 and 2003, 20 years ago that happened here in Brussels and across Europe. In 2005, this particular pathogen was specifically labeled as a bioterrorism and bioweapon platform technology, described as such. That's not my terminology that I'm applying to it. It was actually described as a bioweapons platform technology in 2005. And from 2005 onwards, it was actually a bio warfare enabling agent. It's official classification from 2005 forward. I don't know if that sounds like public health to you, does it? Biological warfare enabling technology that feels like not public health, that feels like not medicine, that feels like a weapon, designed to take out humanity. That's what it feels like, and it feels like that because that's exactly what it is. We have been lured into believing that EcoHealth Alliance and DARPA and all of these organizations are what we should be pointing to. But we've been specifically requested to ignore the facts that over $10 billion have been funneled through black operations, through the check of Anthony Fauci and a side-by-side ledger where NIAD has a balance sheet, and next to it is a biodefense balance sheet. Equivalent dollar for dollar matching that no one in the media talks about, and it's been going on since 2005. Our gain of function moratorium. The moratorium that was supposed to freeze any efforts to do gain of function research. Conveniently, in the fall of 2014, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill received a letter from NIAD saying that while the gain of function moratorium on coronavirus in vivo should be suspended, because their grants had already been funded, they received an exemption. Did you hear what I just said? A biological weapons lab facility at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill received an exemption from the gain of function moratorium so that by 2016 we could publish the journal article that said SARS Coronavirus is poised for human emergence in 2016 and what, you might ask Dave, was the coronavirus poised for human emergence? It was WIV ONE. Wuhan Institute of Virology Virus One. Poised for human emergence in 2016 at the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, such that by the time we get to 2017 and 2018, the following phrase entered into common parlance among the community, there is going to be an accidental or intentional release of a respiratory pathogen. The operative word, obviously in that phrase, the word release, does that sound like leak? Does that sound like a bat and a Pangolin went into a bar in the Wuhan market and hung out and had sex? 44 And, and lo and behold, we got SARS Cov-2. No, accidental or intentional release of a respiratory pathogen was the terminology used. And four times in April of 2019, seven months before the allegation of patient number one, four patent applications of Moderna were modified to include the term accidental or intentional release of a respiratory pathogen as the justification for making a vaccine for a thing that did not exist. If you have not done so, please make sure that you make reference in every investigation to the premeditation nature of this, because it was in September of 2019 that the world was informed. That we were going to have an accident or intentional release of a respiratory pathogen so that by September, 2020 there would be a worldwide acceptance of a universal vaccine template. That's their words right in front of you on the screen. The intent was to get the world to accept a universal vaccine template, and the intent was to use coronavirus to get there. Let's, let's read this because we have to read this into the record everywhere I go. “Until an infectious disease crisis is very real present and at the emergency threshold that is often largely ignored to sustain the funding base beyond the crisis.” He said, “we need to increase the public understanding for the need for medical countermeasures, such as a pan influenza or pan coronavirus vaccine.” “A key driver is the media and the economics will follow the hype. We need to use that hype to our advantage to get to the real issues. Investors will respond if they see profit at the end of the process.” Sounds like public health. Sounds like the best of humanity. No. Ladies and gentlemen, this was premeditated domestic terrorism stated at the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2015, published in front of them. This is an act of biological and chemical warfare perpetrated on the human race, and it was admitted to in writing that this was a financial heist and a financial fraud. “Investors will follow if they see profit at the end of the process.” Let me conclude by making five very brief recommendations. The last slide, nature was hijacked. This whole story started in 1965 when we decided to hijack a natural model and decide to start manipulating it. Science was hijacked when the only questions that could be asked were questions authorized under the patent protection of the CDC, the FDA, the NIH, and their equivalent organizations around the world. We didn't have independent science. We had hijacked science, and unfortunately there was no moral oversight in violation of 45 all of the codes that we stand for. There was no independent, financially disinterested independent review board ever empanelled around coronavirus. Not once, not once, not since 1965. We do not have a single independent IRB ever empanelled, around Coronavirus. So, morality was suspended for medical countermeasures, and ultimately humanity was lost because we decided to allow it to happen. Our job today is to say, no more gain of function research period. No more weaponization of nature period. And most importantly, no more corporate patronage of science for their own self- interest unless they assume 100% product liability for every injury and every death that they maintain. Thank you very much. Dr David E. Martin Speaker - Covid Summit – European Union Parliament – May 2023 XXIII. Breaking The WEF Matrix: How To Resist The Great Reset https://yfsmagazine.com/2023/07/30/wef-resist-the-great-reset Klaus Schwab's World Economic Forum, in lock-step with the UN, is marching the world toward an economic and societal "great reset." Did you vote for this? By Staff Writers Have you heard of “The Great Reset,” powered by a select group of Davos “global elite?” They convene at annual meetings in the Swiss alpine ski resort of Davos, to legitimize and normalize their influence on democratic nations. Their objective is simple: total control of humanity using the private sector, science, and technology while reshaping democracies to form a global government. If it sounds conspiratorial and Orwellian, that’s because it is – and it’s happening right in front of your eyes in plain sight. Global foreign policy brought to you by the World Economic Forum Born out of a CIA-funded Harvard program headed by Henry Kissinger and driven to fruition by economist John Kenneth Galbraith and nuclear strategist Herman Kahn – in 1971 German engineer Klaus Schwab, with the help of well-connected American policymakers, would create what would become the most influential European public policy institute, the European Management Forum (EMF), continuing, from 1987 onwards, as the World Economic Forum (WEF). In 1971, the first meeting of the European Management Forum – then called the European Management Symposium – convened in Davos, Switzerland. Around 450 participants from 31 countries would take part in Schwab’s first European Management 46 Symposium, mostly made up of managers from various European companies, politicians, US academics and media representatives. Several years later, Henry Kissinger, in an opening address at the 1980 World Economic Forum (WEF) conference told Davos “elites”: “For the first time in history, foreign policy is truly global.” Twenty years later, in 2000, Bill Clinton became the first sitting American president to attend Davos. What is ‘The Great Reset’ and who’s pulling the strings? The WEF is led by founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab. The seemingly innocuous Davos crowd describes itself as an “international organization for public- private cooperation” that engages political, business, and industry leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. The international lobbying organization has caught the world’s attention – and ire – in recent years. Particularly, the WEF’s partnership with the United Nations, their lockstep Agenda 2030, and Klaus Schwab’s Great Reset – a globalist-driven initiative to establish Schwab’s vision of stakeholder capitalism, where corporations are positioned as “trustees of society” to address the world’s economic and social woes. Stakeholder Capitalism: A failed idea repackaged by Klaus Schwab Independent investigative journalist, and author, Ian Davis posits a more nuanced view of Schwab’s stakeholder capitalism (a failed concept that’s been around since 1932): “A global network of stakeholder capitalist partners are collaborating to usher in what they claim to be a new model of enhanced democratic accountability that includes “civil society”. However, beneath their deceptive use of the term civil society lies an ideology which offers this network an unprecedented degree of political control that threatens to extinguish representative democracy entirely.” What is further obfuscated is that civil society stakeholders are selected. “Representatives from NGOs, religious communities, unions, and philanthropic foundations are the selected stakeholders whose only role is to agree with the policies placed on the table by the public-private partnership,” Davis adds. Their consent is deemed your consent. “The conflict of interest is obvious… Supposedly, a G3P-led system of global governance is somehow beneficial for us. Believing this requires a considerable degree of naïveté.” Iain Davis If you look behind the curtain, mounting evidence suggests the notorious Wizard: de facto ruler of Davos who aims to “improve the state of the world,” is peddling do-gooder 47 rhetoric to mask a more sinister brand of stakeholder capitalism. A model that will ultimately transfer power away from true democratic processes into a system of governance by a small elect group, trained to continue the agenda set for them by the previous generation, as predicted by Herman Kahn. In 1967, Herman Kahn wrote one of the most significant futurist works of the 20th century, The Year 2000: A Framework for Speculation on the Next Thirty-Three Years. In his book, Kahn explores subverting democracy by training a certain group in society as potential leaders, with those pre-selected few groomed for power being able to define what our shared values as a society should be. Sound familiar? Today’s World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader scheme is the exact manifestation of his original proposal. In essence, they will hold all the cards, whilst the common people will be left with illusory pseudo-democratic processes, poverty, and constant absurd psychological operations (PSYOPs) to sow chaos and distract us all unceasingly. “You will own nothing and be happy.”8 predictions for the world in 2030, World Economic Forum (Video) Upon further inspection of the WEF founding member dogmas, such as Herman Kahn’s prospective aim to create a unified American and European superstate, to today’s WEF think pieces on 15-minute cities, reduced private car ownership by 75%, advancing cashless society driven by programmable Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and the infamous and hastily deleted “You will own nothing and be happy” propaganda piece (archived here) – their agendas and reforms suggest intentions that are not so benign. Instead, what lurks beneath noble jargon is a complicated and disingenuous “Build Back Better” tagline for The Great Reset carried out with globalist lock-step synergy as a distinct flavor of centralized Orwellian control slowly takes hold. Neo-Marxist Schwab has also drawn scrutiny for his comments lauding the WEF’s ability to “penetrate cabinets” of world governments and praise for the Chinese “social credit score” system (reinforced by mass surveillance, and predictive policing) declaring it as a model for the West. In 2016, Schwab griped to then U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden about how the American middle class is holding back his Fourth Industrial Revolution. “The fourth industrial revolution is not only changing what we do but also who we are. The impact it will have on us as individuals is manifold, affecting our identity and its many related facets – our sense of privacy, our notions of ownership, our consumption patterns, the time we devote to work and leisure, how we develop our careers, cultivate our skills.” – The Fourth Industrial Revolution, by Klaus Schwab, Pg. 92 48 Meanwhile, a key advisor to Schwab, Israeli transhumanist (fundamentally a hi-tech rendition of eugenic engineering advocacy) and historian Yuval Noah Harari says, “Free will… that’s over!” A frequent keynote speaker at Davos WEF annual summits, Harari readily discusses the “useless class” of humans who can be hacked and manipulated using digital surveillance under their skin, the rise of digital dictatorships where “humans are now hackable animals,” and the creation of a global surveillance state. Harari also believes in culling the population. In a 2015 TEDGlobal Talk, he asks: “What do we need so many humans for?” The Great Reset trojan horse In June 2019, the WEF signed a Strategic Partnership Framework agreement with the United Nations. The WEF and the UN agreed to collaboratively “accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: milestones to complete the UN’s plan for the 21st century, also known as Agenda 21 – the UN’s vision for a centrally managed global society. The policies required to achieve these sustainable development goals (SDGs) are developed by the multi-stakeholder partnership. A closer look at UN Agenda 21 and Agenda 2030. The original Agenda 21, a 351 page document, outlines the United Nations’ plan for a centrally managed global society. This contract binds governments around the world to the UN plan for controlling the way we live, eat, learn, move and communicate – all under the noble banner of saving the earth. Unlike Agenda 21, which operates under the guise of saving the environment, Agenda 2030 is truly a template for global governance. In addition to addressing climate change, it also sets ambitious goals for areas such as economics, health, energy, education, agriculture, gender equality, and a whole host of other issues. Billed as a “new universal Agenda” for humanity it is literally a blueprint for transforming global society. Solidly rooted in the Agenda 21 document, adopted by the United Nations in 1992, Agenda 2030’s “sustainable development” mission is a call for the micromanagement of the lives of every man, woman and child across the world. If fully implemented, Agenda 21 and Agenda 2030 would have the government involved in every aspect of life of every human on earth. World Economic Forum: The Net Zero Transition With this strategic partnership in place, the WEF and the corporations they represent are now engaged in “effective collaboration” with the 193 national governments represented at the UN, also known as The Global Public-Private Partnership (G3P). As a result, the WEF, an unelected globalist organization, is directly partnering with supposedly sovereign governments in the development of global policy agendas. 49 Globalists want to fundamentally transform virtually everything about today’s society. The Great Reset, as described in Schwab’s book, calls for a “reset of our economic and social foundations” to “instigate stakeholder capitalism.” The now-defunct Great Reset microsite briefly described the initiative: “There is an urgent need for global stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. To improve the state of the world, the World Economic Forum is starting The Great Reset initiative.” On June 3, 2020, then Prince Charles, became the official patron of the WEF’s Great Reset and officially launched the project, tweeting out #TheGreatReset, after delivering a Great Reset address at Davos that same day. Author Matthew Ehret explains how the Great Reset is a trojan horse designed to subvert democracies. “When one reviews the nature of those reforms on the World Economic Forum’s websites which are intended to replace the policies of the pre- COVID era, it becomes crystal clear that this Great Reset (which combines full spectrum remedies to the dual crises of COVID and Global Warming), is merely another attempt to steer humanity into a techno-feudal, depopulated cage under a system of global governance managed by social engineers and their oligarchical patrons.” How to resist the ‘Great Reset’ As the specter of WEF initiatives and reforms are now snaking their way into mainstream discourse and government-backed policies, those opposed to the World Economic Forum, UN Agenda 2030, and Schwab’s Great Reset say it is essential for people to stay vigilant, as what some describe as Orwellian and dystopian “solutions” are gradually foisted upon the global population. “What we have to confront is a deep systemic and structural restructuring of our world,” WEF Chairman Schwab told attendees at the 2022 G20 Bali Summit, which also features the “B20,” a gathering of global corporate business leaders. “This will take some time,” Schwab continued. “And the world will look differently after we have gone through this transition process.” As World Economic Forum globalists push ahead with their “Great Reset,” there are measures you can take to repudiate and hinder their plans. Dr. Simon Goddek, a biotechnologist, entrepreneur and the founder of Sunfluencer, a vocal critic of the World Economic Forum, recently outlined 25 steps you can take to resist Schwab’s Great Reset – an agenda that aims to forcibly transition the world into Klaus Schwab’s image. Here’s a look at 12 of the 25 recommended courses of action. 1. Turn off your TV. 50 Or even better – throw it out of your window. There is hardly anything decent on TV. Mainstream media worldwide reports the same propaganda resulting in mass anxiety. By the way, it has been known since the 80s that television can harm mental health. In the last three years, they were shamelessly trying to make us believe that watching TV is good for you when sitting home alone due to unscientific and arbitrary lockdowns. 2. Eat lots of pasture meat, and not bugs. Klaus Schwab and the WEF want us to “eat ze bugs.” A fried locust is definitely not the future of our diet, even though the media is pushing for it. Instead, we should eat as our forefathers did: meat, fish, shellfish, roots, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. Skip the bugs – feed them to the chicken. 3. Consume alternative and objective media. There are many great alternative media sources such as Telegram, Substack newsletters, thematic blogs, critical Twitter accounts, and general news such as the Off Guardian or TNT Radio. Also, try to learn how to read scientific studies, including their methodology (which is almost always biased). This will improve your decision-making processes. 4. Reject vaccination and CO2 passports, and digital IDs. The German Green Party, currently part of the government, already proposed climate passports before the “pandemic.” The CO2 credit and the social credit score will come; it is only a matter of time. Fortunately, they won’t succeed if insufficient people comply. I know many people that took the vaccine only to be able to travel. This degree of gaslighting and blackmailing mustn’t happen again. 5. Be self-sufficient regarding water, food, and electricity. Governments fear nothing more than self-sufficient and independent citizens. If you grow and produce everything yourself, the government cannot impose taxes on it. It also makes you less susceptible to blackmail. Even if you only own a balcony or roof terrace in a city, chances are you have enough space to grow pesticide-free vegetables and soak up some sun rays. Alternatively, join an allotment association. 6. Own your land and farm it. Owning some land is crucial these days. Before growing anything there, I strongly advise improving the soil of your land. Rumble and Odysee provide many videos about composting and mulching. You also might want to look into the principles of agroforestry and permaculture. Typically, an area as small as 1,000 sqm is enough to provide your family (including grandparents, siblings and cousins) with meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. 51 7. Insist on your tech privacy. Man is a creature of habits, so I know this step can be difficult. But for the sake of your privacy, this step is quite crucial. Big Tech is one of our main enemies, and you don’t want Google, Zuckerberg, and TikTok to know more about more about you than you do. I personally like Ubuntu or Mint Linux operating systems, as they are beautiful and user- friendly. CalyxOS is an Android operating system that puts privacy into your hands. A de-Googled phone is a safer phone. 8. Protect your online privacy and ditch Google. SearX and Brave, but don’t Google. We all Google, and I must admit that Google offers excellent features. However, Google is a dangerous data miner that also manipulates search algorithms. SearX is a brilliant alternative. So is Brave, which uses its own search engine. 9. Pay with cash, and avoid bonus programs. Cash is power and especially anonymous: It allows for transactions to be made without any digital footprint or trace, preserving your privacy. Pay with it whenever possible. I have been without a bank account for one year because of expressing my opinion online. Other dissidents have been debanked and their assets have also been frozen and blocked. Doing everything digitally makes you the perfect slave: resist! Also, do not participate in payback programs. They use your data to generate money; nobody gives money away for free. 10. Diversify your investments. Allocate portions of your money into assets like gold, cryptocurrencies, land, and more. Don’t put all your trust in big banks or digital currencies, especially CBDCs controlled by governments. The increasing push towards state-controlled digital currencies can pose a threat to your financial independence due to potential issues like lack of privacy, manipulation, and even outright control of your financial resources. Personally, I consider tangible assets like metals and land to be safe investments. It’s always wise to hedge your bets, particularly considering the looming possibility of a global crisis, unlike anything we’ve seen before. 11. Prepare for the unexpected. Learn basic survival skills such as starting a fire, purifying water, and basic first aid. This doesn’t only prepare you for possible future crises, but also enhances your self-reliance and confidence. 12. Avoid unnecessary debt. 52 Minimize your reliance on credit and strive to live within your means. High levels of debt essentially make you owned by banks or the government, as they possess financial leverage over your decisions and actions. This debt culture lays the foundation for a social credit system, where your credit history could potentially influence your access to various societal privileges. Avoid this by cutting unnecessary expenses, focusing on savings, and investing wisely. Build parallel systems to resist global governance and the ‘Great Reset’ From admittedly penetrating governments, proposed regulation of mind control technologies by WEF-member corporations, recalibrating freedom of speech, implanting smartphones into your body, and compliance tracking pills that contain microchips; to praise for compulsory pandemic measures stating lockdowns are quietly improving cities around the world, and a Great Reset to restructure society marking the death of capitalism – their ambitions – dressed up in sustainable development garb – are decidedly Orwellian. At the 2022 WEF Davos annual meeting, Alibaba Group president J. Michael Evans boasted about the development of an “individual carbon footprint tracker” to monitor what you buy, what you eat, and where/how you travel. Do you see where this is going? Finally, as it pertains to policy, elect – at all levels of government – representatives that reject WEF agendas and reforms. If your elected officials treat the WEF as the rogue, unelected, illegitimate organization that it is, its influence would be greatly diminished. Are your leaders members of the WEF? To find out, conduct a Brave site search using the politician’s name as the search phrase. Example: site:weforum.org/people justin trudeau Identify local, state, and federal WEF state actors (Manchurian candidates including politicians, lobbyists, and activists) who craft ideas and solicit government authorities to garner significant influence on laws and regulations that subvert core democratic values and constitutional rights. • Contact your U.S. House and Senate representatives. • Leverage AI chatbots like Resistbot for civic engagement to contact your officials in two minutes or less. • Browse bills in the U.S. Congress with GovTrak, relating to a specific subject and find legislation that impacts you. • Search the Climate Change Laws of the World database to review climate laws and policies globally. “The real core of the Great Reset strategy is to seize control … The objective is to take private-interest profit-making producers of goods and services and convert them into public institutions that will fulfill various other public purposes in the public interest. The 53 labels for such activity are now familiar, including CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance), Impact investing, sustainability and the like.” – Financial Post Build parallel systems to counter those imposed by multinational WEF-groomed corporations. If you stop giving them your money, they’ll stop using your money to poison the well of democracy. Then, they’ll own nothing. And we’ll all be happy. Read the full list here. From:Brad Kurokawa To:WPCtestimony Cc:brad.kurokawa@gmail.com Subject:Testimony to Windward Planning Commission- Brad Kurokawa 3/10-11/2025 Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 1:06:39 AM Attachments:Testimony to Windward Planning Commission- Brad Kurokawa 310-112025.pdf Aloha, Please if possible provide the attached letter as written testimony for WPC members to review BEFORE their March 10 and 11, 2025 meeting discussing the General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft. Mahalo, Brad Kurokawa Sent from my iPad Brad Kurokawa PO Box 402 Honomu, HI 96728 808-859-7442 Brad.kurokawa@gmail.com March 9, 2025 Windward Planning Commission, Hawaii County Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hi, Hawaiʻi 96720 RE: Testimony on Hawaii County General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft dated July 2024 Dear Chair Daniele, Vice Chair Perrin, and members of the Windward Planning Commission, Mahalo to all of you for your voluntary service to our community! I am testifying as an individual resident of Hamakua though I am a current member of the Hamakua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action committee and former chair of the HCDP Steering committee from 2008-2018. I want to bring to your attention some specific inconsistencies in the Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 and the HCDP adopted by ordinance in 2018. In both of these cases, there was significant community input and controversy during the HCDP process. Accordingly, I am respectfully requesting that the Planning department provide their written rationale for the proposed deviations from the adopted HCDP. PAPAIKOU POINT (TMK 327004025) The GP 2045 Final Draft recommends LOW DENSITY URBAN while the HCDP LUPAG shows it as IMPORTANT AG LANDS, consistent with the State Land Use District (SLUD) AGRICULTURE. The proposed change is a significant change in land use from the current A-20a zoning to a Low Density Urban GP designation. There was significant community opposition to development at this location. HAKALAU POINT (TMKs 329002081/329002079) The GP 2045 Final Recommended Draft proposes the majority of the parcels’ area as LOW DENSITY URBAN with the pali as CONSERVATION and a strip along the top of pali as RECREATION while the HCDP LUPAG indicates both parcels as OPEN. While the current county zoning is MG-5a, Industrial and State Land Use District (SLUD) is Urban, the HCDP recognized that both the county zoning and SLUD are a historical “snap shot” of its past plantation heritage which are respectively inappropriate and arguably obsolete. The HCDP deliberately chose to acknowledge this location’s unique historic/cultural (Kanaka maoli site where a significant battle took place and its Hakalau Plantation history), environmental (high bluff pali, coastal zone at estuary), recreational (fishing trail access), and scenic (one of the few accessible scenic viewpoints to enjoy panoramic views of the Hamakua coastline, adjacent to rare accessible beach park) values by designating it as OPEN. The HCDP intention was to encourage future preservation and protection of this extremely unique locale for the enjoyment of the greater community instead of the prevalent trend of development of private luxury homes along our coastlines. The General Plan and Community Development Plans are intended as dynamic forward-looking, living and adaptive tools to guide the the development of communities’ future. They should be consistent in reflect our community’s collective voice, values and aspirational vision. Mahalo nui loa for your time and consideration! Aloha no, Brad Kurokawa From:outages_office.0r@icloud.com To:WPCtestimony Subject:Written Testimony regarding Hawaii County General Plan Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 10:55:12 AM To the Windward Planning Commission: I am writing to express my support for your positive recommendation of the Hawaii CountyGeneral Plan 2045 to the Hawaii County Council. The General Plan represents years of thoughtful work, grounded in careful research, data analysis, science, and community input. It thoughtfully integrates Hawaiian indigenousknowledge and values with best practices in modern planning to address the diverse needs of our island community — from protecting natural and cultural resources to fostering economicopportunity and housing solutions. The community feedback we’ve heard the last few months has been essential — and many specific and thoughtful concerns have been raised that merit attention as implementationmoves forward. I want to acknowledge the openness and integrity of the process and underscore the importance of adopting a forward-looking, comprehensive plan. Our countyneeds a shared framework to guide future growth, protect the environment, improve infrastructure, and ensure a high quality of life for current and future generations. Manyresidents like myself support a plan that is balanced, inclusive, and rooted in sound planning principles. It is critical that we plan proactively, using the best available knowledge and tools,to address the challenges our community faces — from housing to economic resilience to environmental stewardship. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to this process. I encourage you to move thisessential plan forward. Respectfully, Doug CareyHonomu From: Hope Alohalani Cermeli To: W PCtesti mony Subject: lack of commissioners not listening to testimonies Date:Monday,March 10, 2025 9:29:47 PM I, wish these appointed planning commissioners would take an accounting of the testifiers""""" How many FOR general plan 45 How many AGAINST general plan as written { even after taking out the word STAKEHOLDERS"} Show transparency Show fortitude My testimony still stands : NEW REGUIME UNDER MAYOR KIMO NEW GENERAL PLAN created for 2045 Did you commissioners hear the pleas of taxpayers/voters about the chapters that refer to 15 minute cities"??????????????????????????? I would like this testimony on email, to be read aloud , since I must prepare for small claims court case on March 12th, hilo courthouse gam room 2-C Hope Alohalani Cermelj vs Mitch Roth- ex mayor Mahalo nui in advance. we will be watching on Zoom tuesday. From: Hope Alohalani Cermeli To: WPCtestimonv Subject: in January we testifies were mislead by one west side commissioner Date:Monday,March 10, 2025 9:35:42 PM If U people change the time and location, and/or don't let taxpayers/voters/testifiers know NOT LAST MINUTE CHANGE}. U will have broken the county laws, like the federal SUNSHINE LAW, broken by senate president Ronald Kouchi Telling his demon-crats how to vote , behind closed doors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Commissioners job is to listen, kukakuka, make logical recommendations to county council. NOT COERSE From:Akuakea To:WPCtestimony Subject:General plan testimony 03/10/25. Kevin Hill Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 11:32:20 AM 03/10/25 Appreciating Learned that many feel that they are limited by current statutes, codes and ordinances: 1. The timing of process dictated to 150 days. 1. Reference to 2015 state adopted UN sustainable development goals. Regarding climate change and many others. Question: If not restricted by a statute code or ordinance about any portion of this plan what would you do? Have to learn to walk without our hobbles. Many of our s/c/o…. Are verygood and helpful. Occasionally they prevent people from doing what is self evident and right. This is to a significant degree our social compact as people. It’s why people are passionate. Walking away from a meeting last week I was convinced that largely we want the samethings. A place we want to live that honors property rights, freedoms, constitutional enumeratedprincipals (1840 or 1791). And our freedom to solve our own problems. A place we can afford to live. Additionally, adding to the voluminous amount of testimony to process my comments about process. 1. I learned that prior to 2019 there was enormous public testimony and involvement in this plan. However. I believe these meetings would have been more productive andhonoring if there had been opportunity for interaction. 2. Time limits were frustrating many times…. Interaction of course takes more time but ithelps with clarity. 3. There has been a TON of redundancy. I believe much of it has beenunnecessary. People repeat themselves when they feel strongly and/or believe they stand on truth but don’t feel not just heard but listened to and appropriate truthful andhonorable action taken. 4. Similarly, involvement in conversations after public testimony time closed would havehelped. I know hours of commitment have gone into this by volunteers. My being here till noon each day of public testimony is costly… let alone the afternoon which leads tomy next point 5. With respect to volunteers and their time, being during work hours is automaticallylimiting. Obviously. 6. Finally - I believe meetings would have been even better attended had they been atappropriate times and if they had been better informed. Simply putting this in with the property tax notices would have virtually guaranteed that the only relevantSTAKEHOLDERS would have been informed and given a voice in their future. Counselor for Economic and Social Affairs (ECOSOC) at the U.S. Mission to the UN Edward Heartney at the General Assembly, “Put simply, globalist endeavors like Agenda 2030 and the SDGs lost at the ballot box.Therefore, the United States rejects and denounces the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and it will no longer reaffirm them as amatter of course.” Appreciation of you all. Prayers and aloha. Kevin Hill From:Martha Stephens To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:THE FIRST GLOBAL REVOLUTION Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 12:43:31 PM Please do not approve the General Plan 2045. It is not for the people of Hawaii. It is about the infrastructure for global governance by the corporate stakeholder elite who do not belong here. It will be the loss of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness of the generations to come. It was hatched by the Club of Rome in 1991. Club of Rome who openly claimed authorship of global warming in its 1991 book, The First Global Revolution: “In searching for a common enemy against whom we can unite, we came up with the idea that pollution, the threat of global warming, water shortages, famine and the like, would fit the bill.” The First Global Revolution A Report By The Council Of The Club Of Rome Alexander King, Bertrand Schneider Random House, Inc. Pantheon Books ( 1991) : Club of Rome : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Mahalo, Martha Stephens The First Global Revolution A Report By The Council Of The Club Of Rome ... Complete first edition of The First Global Revolution - A Report by the Council of the Club of Rome. 292 pages r... From: Rebecca Melendez To: LPCtestimonv;WPCtestimony;cdo(a)hawaii.aov; Planning General Plan;Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball. Heather; Kaaiwada,Jennifer;Onishi. Dennis; Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt;Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba. Holeka; Hustace,James Subject: How Smart Meters Communicate and The American Cancer Society"s Cancer Concerns with Smart Grids Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 7:35:52 PM Aloha, Please Vote Unfavorable for Smart Grid and Broadband New Smart Grid Researched Information: How do smart meters communicate? For example, smart meters don't always transmit directly to the cloud. They typically transmit data to a local smart meter gateway, which aggregates data from all meters in an area and then forwards it to the cloud, where providers and customers can access it through a platform. Note: Both components are often indoors and sometimes underground, so they need communication solutions that can penetrate buildings and obstructions." And they need to penetrate our bodies as well. How many sensors will be needed, millions? https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/8/2187 Under Abstract: Sensors for monitoring electrical parameters over an entire electricity network infrastructure play a fundamental role in protecting smart grids..." a new smart sensor is developed that offers the capability to update its adjustment settings during real-time operation, in coordination with the rest of the smart sensors spread over the network." From what I have read, Hawai'i Planning's 2045 General Plan doesn't explain broadband or a smart grid, and it doesn't include information on any health risk research. Links explaining smart grids, smart meters, and broadband health risks because they emit RFR (Radio Frequency Radiation) waves. It's not WiFi, it's a whole other kind of network. https://emfacademy.com/smart-meter-radiation/#aioseo-smart-meter-radiation-an- introduction: With 5G already being implemented in some test markets, and smart meters being forced on more and more homeowners, there has never been a better time to gain a complete understanding of exactly what smart meters are, what kind of radiation they emit, how much, and how we can protect ourselves. First of all, RF radiation is a type of non-ionizing radiation, meaning it does not have enough energy to remove charged particles. However, this does not mean it is not harmful. More and more studies are showing that just because non-ionizing radiation has no thermal effect or ionizing effect, does not mean it doesn't cause long-term health effects. In fact, the World Health Organization has specifically listed non-ionizing radiation from things like cell-phones, WiFi routers, and smart meters as "possible carcinogens," meaning they could increase cancer risks. Even the American Cancer Society, who like many health institutes shy's away from saying much about the harms of EMF radiation, said this in their article about smart meters: RF radiation is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." This is based on the finding of a possible link in at least one study between cell phone use and a specific type of brain tumor. Because RF radiation is a possible carcinogen, and smart meters give off RF radiation, it is possible that smart meters could increase cancer risk." https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/smart-meters.html,. Concerns have been raised about the safety of smart meters, mainly because they give off the same kinds of radiofrequency (RF) waves as cell phones and Wi-Fi devices. Please Vote Unfavorable for Smart Grids and Broadband. Thank you, Sincerely, Rebecca Melendez From: Rebecca Melendez To: LPCtestimonv;WPCtestimonv;cdo(a)hawaii.gov;Planning General Plan;Villegas,Rebecca;Kimball,Heather;Kagiwada, Jennifer;Onishi,Dennis;Kierkiewicz,Ashley;Kanealii-Kleinfelder,Matt;Galimba,Michelle M.;Inaba,Holeka;Hustace,James Subject: More Details on the Smart Grid and Broadband the General Plan Wants to Install Date: Monday,March 10,2025 5:08:08 PM Aloha, Please OPPOSE the General Plans Smart Grid and Broadband Plan: Page149 Objective 30 Advance policies, programs, and initiatives for public and/or private investment in broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart grid development Smart Meters Electrical Bills Increase by Double or More: https://stopsmartmeters.org/freq uently-asked-questions/fag-bill ing-issues/: Many people have experienced hikes in their utility bill after a "smart" meter was installed.A recent survey published on EMFSafetyNetwork.org documented how many people have received higher bills—over one third of those surveyed." https://www.reddit.com/r/massachusetts/comments/zoxj09/thanks national grid must got my 900 electric/? rdt=46201: Thanks National grid!just got my$900 electric bill in! Guess we are going to have to learn to live without electricity cuz this is bullshit! My bill never higher than $300! Definitely can't afford this! How can they do this?! It's so wrong!" https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/no-way-this-could-be-right-nyseg-customers-remain- baffled-by-high-bills No way this could be right': NYSEG customers remain baffled by high bills" https://smartmeterscience.substack.com/ Report: Insidious Causes for Outrageous Utility Bills: "Smart" Meter Flaws, Funding, and Folly" I sent you earlier: https://www.prrysmian.com/en/insight/sustainability/what-is-a-smart-grid-and-how-does-it-work What is a smart grid? A smart grid is an advanced and digitally enhanced electricity distribution network that uses technology and two-way communication to efficiently manage energy supply and demand.While traditional grids rely on one-way electricity flow and limited monitoring, smart grids employ sensors and automation to gather real-time data on energy usage and grid conditions." https://www.rfwi reIess-world.com/Term i nol ogy/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Smart-G rid.htm I: Drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid: Continuous communication network should be available. During emergency situation, network congestion or performance are big challenges in smart grid system. Cellular network providers do not provide guaranteed service in abnormal situations such as wind storm, heavy rain and lightening conditions. Some smart meters can be hacked which can be used to increase or decrease the demand for power. It is expensive to install smart meter compare to traditional old electricity meter". https://www.fi erceel ectron ics.com/electronics/what-are-smart-sensors: A smart grid uses sensors that have to be placed on electrical wires. "Smart sensors are devices that take information from a physical environment and use embedded microprocessors and wireless communication to monitor, examine, and maintain various systems." https://blushield.com/blogs/education/the-health-safety-and-privacy-concerns-of-smart-meters: Of course,just like 5G, smart meters are advertised to mainly benefit the end user, but the truth is that the user is ultimately put at risk in several ways, and the biggest benefits are reaped by the power companies and the government." https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-wi-fi-and-broadband/# What is broadband Broadband data transmission is represented by a large bandwidth. Consider the internet as a channel for data transfer between two devices. In this case,the passway that the data is traveling over is broadband. Broadband connections come in a variety of forms:ASL, DSL, Cable, Fiber, etc. The goal of all these technologies is to provide customers with high-speed internet. For example,the greatest technology available to users is fiber optic lines,which provide high bandwidth and symmetrical speeds." https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/broadband.asp What Is Broadband? Broadband refers to various high-capacity transmission technologies that transmit data, voice, and video across long distances and at high speeds. Common mediums of transmission include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and radio waves." https://www.howtocieek.com/865706/what-is-wi-fi/- The widespread adoption of Internet of Things(IoT) and smart home technology has internet service providers(ISPs) and integrators on the hunt for the most effective methods of broadband delivery for many scenarios. The cable will be closer to the surface and more vulnerable to damage. In this case, a more expensive cable that can withstand contact will be required. Cables buried in clay will also need to be of higher quality because the clay can hold stones and push them against the cable. In clay, the trench will also need to be much deeper. In developed areas, the existing infrastructure can be problematic. Digging through concrete sidewalks and roads is costly and disruptive." From what I have read, Hawai'i Planning's 2045 General Plan doesn't explain broadband or a smart grid, and it doesn't include information on any health risk research. Links explaining smart grids, smart meters, and broadband health risks because they emit RFR(Radio Frequency Radiation)waves. It's not WiFi, it's a whole other kind of network. https://ehtrust.org/educate-you rself/health-risks-posed-by-smartmeters/: There is no doubt that smart and digital meters create pulsed RF emissions and these emissions, from the smart meters' antennas and the RF created by the SMPS, both enter the house's electric system. The result is that the entire house is transformed into a radiating RF antenna." https://stopsmartmeters.org/frequently-asked-questions/rad io-freq uency-rad iation-issues/: Q:My utility says "smart"meters emit less than my cell phone or WiFi. Is this true? In some cases this is true, and in some cases not true. The figures for RF exposure given by utilities are time-averaged numbers which hide the peak power of the "smart" meter, and disguise the fairly continuous nature of the pulses. "Smart" meters are unlike cell phones or WiFi in their bizarre pattern of sharp spikes of RF. Both of those consumer devices(cell phones and WiFi) can be strong RF emitters. But people are becoming increasingly aware of the potential harm done by chronic exposure to RF radiation-emitting devices and are taking steps to change how they use them. Growing public awareness of RF exposure has led people to choose a wired internet connection or use a wired phone at home. But most people are not offered a wired smart" meter.And you can't turn it off once it's installed." https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/envi ron mental-toxins/smart-meters-not-so-smart/#gsc.tab=0: Electric"smart" meters were installed in Cindy deBac's Scottsdale, Arizona, neighborhood in 2012. She recalls the day a new meter was mounted on her home as a sort of digital Pearl Harbor attack. "I've never been so sick in my life," she says. "Nausea, a crushing migraine headache, and painful heart palpitations laid me low right away." https://smartmeterscience.substack.com/p/expert-Ietter-on-risks-of-smart-meters: The Federal Communication Commission's safety standards do not apply to low intensity RFR. There is no safe level of exposure established for RFR. People around the world are suffering from low intensity RFR exposure, being at increased risk of developing both cancer and EHS." https://www.emfanalysis.com/smart-meter-health-effects/: In nearly every community where wireless smart meters have been installed, a percentage of residents complain of health effects that started after installation. The residents often did not know that smart meters had been installed. The most common symptoms are:" https://www.safespaceprotection.com/news-and-info/health-warni ngs-on-smart-meters/: Groups such as, The AmericanAcademy of Environmental Medicine(AAEM), an international organization representing physicians who specialize in Environmental Medicine issued the following recommendations listed below in their 2012 position paper, "Electromagnetic and Radiofrequency Field Effect on Human Health. The AAEM calls for: Immediate caution on smart meter installation due to potentially harmful RF exposure Accommodation for health considerations regarding EMF and RF exposure, including exposure to wireless smart meter technology Independent studies to further understand the health effects from EMF and RF exposure Use of safer technology, including for smart meters,such as hard-wiring,fiber optics, or other non- harmful methods of data transmission Recognition that electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a growing problem worldwide Understanding and control of this electrical environmental bombardment for the protection of society Consideration and independent research regarding the quantum effects of EMF and RF on human health" https://www.sem.org/publications/tipsheet/many-are-claiming-health-problems-caused-smart-meters: The concepts sound good to many people, but serious flaws are becoming apparent as utilities rapidly install smart meters across the country, according to a rising chorus of critics.They are concerned about privacy(since they say utilities can interpolate many behavioral aspects of building occupants via the detailed reporting of utility use),security(since any utility's system could be hacked),and accuracy(with reports of very inaccurate readings from a small percentage of meters). Each of these issues warrants investigation and coverage. Another major issue is possible human health impacts from smart meters.That is the focus of the remainder of this Tip. SMART METER HEALTH IMPACTS?" Please vote UNFAVORABLE to their Smart Grid and Broadband and HELP Protect Big Island. Thank you, Sincerely, Rebecca Melendez From:Rebecca Melendez To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony; cdp@hawaii.gov; Planning General Plan; Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz,Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace, James Subject:California Now Has Smart Grid & Broadband, Their Electric Bills Are Higher, Power Company Has FULL Control Over Everyone"s Power Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 9:55:09 AM Aloha, Have you researched the serious consequences of allowing Broadband and Smart Grid to be developed? If not, youneed to. My family lives in California, which now has Broadband and a Smart Grid, and their electric bills are much higher. I'mguessing this is because they have to pay for the constant Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR) and all the sensors that have to be placed on top of the electric wires to communicate with all the smart meters that are now on all their houses andcommercial buildings. Who pays for the millions of sensors that must be placed on all the electrical wires all over the island? I'm sure thatgoes on the electric bills. Not to mention the work involved because that will also go on the electric bill Who pays for all the smart meters? They are another addition to the electric bill, I'm sure. This also takes away the jobs ofall those people who read the meters, so the electric company is saving money and making even more money through the development of a Smart Grid and Broadband. The electric company will also have full power over all our electricity because they will be able to lower community power if other places, like the resorts, need more power. This is called an Electrical Power Monopoly. They will beable to lower the power to our refrigerators that could possibly allow food to spoil because they willl have full power over all our electricity. This will be dangerous to our community. My stepdad used an electric meter to see what the radiation read, and it was high, which meant it was a health risk. The General Plan has NO health risk research. In the 2045 General Plan page 149 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart griddevelopment: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/308136/638597487229830000 30.3 Collaborate with utility companies to incentivize the underground siting of electrical and telecommunicationsfacilities within public rights-of-way 30.4 Continuously improve the use of broadband communications and digital technology to educate and provide public services with a focus on digital access. 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in the Code. Page 150 30.b Develop standards for the siting and construction of wireless telecommunication facilities. 30.9 Alleviate barriers and assist broadband projects with navigating through the regulatory permitting process. 30.i Pursue partnerships and funding for broadband initiatives and deployments 30.j Support the coordination of infrastructure projects between the public and private sectors to create areas for thedeployment of broadband zones 30.k Seek federal and other opportunities for the funding of broadband infrastructure. 30.m Foster public-private partnerships to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure, including community networks. Have you read these websites proving the health risks of Broadband and a Smart Grid: Here are links that explain the health risks of smart meters because they emit RFR (Radio FrequencyRadiation) waves. It's not wifi, and I will apologize to the community because I said it was wifi: https://stopsmartmeters.org/frequently-asked-questions/radio-frequency-radiation-issues/ : "Q: My utility says “smart” meters emit less than my cell phone or WiFi. Is this true? In some cases this is true, and in some cases not true. The figures for RF exposure given by utilities are time- averaged numbers which hide the peak power of the “smart” meter, and disguise the fairly continuous nature of thepulses. “Smart” meters are unlike cell phones or WiFi in their bizarre pattern of sharp spikes of RF. Both of those consumer devices (cell phones and WiFi) can be strong RF emitters. But people are becomingincreasingly aware of the potential harm done by chronic exposure to RF radiation-emitting devices and are taking steps to change how they use them. Growing public awareness of RF exposure has led people to choose awired internet connection or use a wired phone at home. But most people are not offered a wired “smart” meter. And you can’t turn it off once it’s installed." https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/environmental-toxins/smart-meters-not-so-smart/#gsc.tab=0 : "Electric “smart” meters were installed in Cindy deBac’s Scottsdale, Arizona, neighborhood in 2012. She recalls the day a new meter was mounted on her home as a sort of digital Pearl Harbor attack. “I’ve neverbeen so sick in my life,” she says. “Nausea, a crushing migraine headache, and painful heart palpitations laid melow right away.” https://smartmeterscience.substack.com/p/expert-letter-on-risks-of-smart-meters : · “The Federal Communication Commission’s safety standards do not apply to low intensity RFR. · There is no safe level of exposure established for RFR. · People around the world are suffering from low intensity RFR exposure, being at increased risk of developing both cancer and EHS.” https://ehtrust.org/educate-yourself/health-risks-posed-by-smartmeters/ : “There is no doubt that smart and digital meters create pulsed RF emissions and these emissions, from the smart meters’ antennas and the RF created by the SMPS, both enter the house’s electric system. The result is thatthe entire house is transformed into a radiating RF antenna.” https://www.emfanalysis.com/smart-meter-health-effects/ : "In nearly every community where wireless smart meters have been installed, a percentage of residentscomplain of health effects that started after installation. The residents often did not know that smart meters had been installed. The most common symptoms are:" https://www.safespaceprotection.com/news-and-info/health-warnings-on-smart-meters/ : "Groups such as, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), an international organizationrepresenting physicians who specialize in Environmental Medicine issued the following recommendationslisted below in their 2012 position paper, “Electromagnetic and Radiofrequency Field Effect on Human Health. The AAEM calls for: • Immediate caution on smart meter installation due to potentially harmful RF exposure• Accommodation for health considerations regarding EMF and RF exposure, including exposure towireless smart meter technology• Independent studies to further understand the health effects from EMF and RF exposure• Use of safer technology, including for smart meters, such as hard-wiring, fiber optics, or other non- harmful methods of data transmission• Recognition that electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a growing problem worldwide• Understanding and control of this electrical environmental bombardment for the protection of society• Consideration and independent research regarding the quantum effects of EMF and RF on human health" https://www.sej.org/publications/tipsheet/many-are-claiming-health-problems-caused-smart-meters : "The concepts sound good to many people, but serious flaws are becoming apparent as utilities rapidly installsmart meters across the country, according to a rising chorus of critics. They are concerned about privacy(since they say utilities can interpolate many behavioral aspects of building occupants via the detailed reporting of utility use), security (since any utility's system could be hacked), and accuracy (with reports ofvery inaccurate readings from a small percentage of meters). Each of these issues warrants investigation andcoverage. Another major issue is possible human health impacts from smart meters. That is the focus of the remainder of thisTip. SMART METER HEALTH IMPACTS?" https://smartmeterscience.substack.com/ What is broadbandBroadband data transmission is represented by a large bandwidth. Consider the internet as a channel for datatransfer between two devices. In this case, the passway that the data is traveling over is broadband. Broadbandconnections come in a variety of forms: ASL, DSL, Cable, Fiber, etc. The goal of all these technologies is toprovide customers with high-speed internet. For example, the greatest technology available to users is fiberoptic lines, which provide high bandwidth and symmetrical speeds." https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/broadband.asp : "What Is Broadband? Broadband refers to various high-capacity transmission technologies that transmit data, voice, and videoacross long distances and at high speeds. Common mediums of transmission include coaxial cables, fiberoptic cables, and radio waves." https://www.howtogeek.com/865706/what-is-wi-fi/ : "The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home technology has internet service providers(ISPs) and integrators on the hunt for the most effective methods of broadband delivery for many scenarios. The cable will be closer to the surface and more vulnerable to damage. In this case, a more expensive cablethat can withstand contact will be required. Cables buried in clay will also need to be of higher quality becausethe clay can hold stones and push them against the cable. In clay, the trench will also need to be muchdeeper. In developed areas, the existing infrastructure can be problematic. Digging through concrete sidewalks androads is costly and disruptive." https://www.prysmian.com/en/insight/sustainability/what-is-a-smart-grid-and-how-does-it-work "What is a smart grid? A smart grid is an advanced and digitally enhanced electricity distribution network that uses technology and two-way communication to efficiently manage energy supply and demand. While traditional grids rely on one- way electricity flow and limited monitoring, smart grids employ sensors and automation to gather real-time data on energy usage and grid conditions." https://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Smart-Grid.html "Drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Smart Grid: ➨Continuous communication network should be available. ➨During emergency situation, network congestion or performance are big challenges in smart grid system. ➨Cellular network providers do not provide guaranteed service in abnormal situations such as wind storm,heavy rain and lightening conditions. ➨Some smart meters can be hacked which can be used to increase or decrease the demand for power. ➨It is expensive to install smart meter compare to traditional old electricity meter". A smart grid uses sensors throughout the grid. "Smart sensors are devices that take information from aphysical environment and use embedded microprocessors and wireless communication to monitor,examine, and maintain various systems." https://www.fierceelectronics.com/electronics/what-are-smart-sensors https://blushield.com/blogs/education/the-health-safety-and-privacy-concerns-of-smart-meters : "Of course, just like 5G, smart meters are advertised to mainly benefit the end user, but the truth is that theuser is ultimately put at risk in several ways, and the biggest benefits are reaped by the power companiesand the government. Have you researched what Broadband and a Smart Grid will do to our island??? Because the ONLY people who will seriously benefit from this will be the power company, and they alreadyhave power outages: https://www.kitv.com/news/local/rolling-power-outages-possible-on-big-island/article_1811581e- cae6-11ee-bec6-bf9467cc02f6.html? fbclid=IwY2xjawIqwUNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQKMTNPT8EedBYRidyQEoPWlese5n4dRl- 6FeuHh1nYCoQ8kqtESAhgXjw_aem_9WNsZM4cllevOmbCMPZGNg Rolling power outages possible on Big Island By Island News Web Staff Feb 13, 2024 Updated Feb 13, 2024 "HECO is asking all customers on the Big Island to reduce their electricity use from now until 9 p.m. That's because independent power producer Hamakua Energy unexpectedly tripped offline late this afternoon and Puna Geothermal Venture is operating at a reduced capacity." If HECO doesn't have enough backup generators when some need repair, that's a problem. https://www.khon2.com/big-island-news/heco-initiates-30-min-rolling-outages-after-loss-of- generators/ "BIG ISLAND NEWS HECO restores power after initiating emergency outages on Big Island by: Elizabeth 'Ufi Posted: Jan 30, 2024 / 09:43 AM HST Updated: Jan 30, 2024 / 04:15 PM HST An unexpected loss of several large Hawaii Electric generators left some residents on Big Island without power for parts of the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 30." https://bigislandnow.com/2024/02/13/hawaii-island-customers-asked-to-reduce-electricity-use/ "Hawai'i State News Update: Hawaiian Electric initiates rolling outages throughout Big Island February 13, 2024 · 5:23 PM HST * Updated February 14, 2024 · 4:21 PM The emergency outages are being initiated in various areas around the entire island to prevent loss of power to an even greater number of customers. The timing and extent of the outages will depend on the amount of demand on the system and the availability of generators.” https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ “LOCAL NEWS HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.” https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2024-02-13/residents-on-hawaii-island-and-oahu-are- asked-to-conserve-water-amid-power-outages "Here's how power outages can have repercussions for Hawaiʻi's water supply Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Savannah Harriman-Pote Published February 13, 2024 at 10:59 AM HST Water departments on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island have advised customers to conserve water ahead of possible storm-related power outages this month. But what does the power grid have to do with the water supply? It is impossible to separate Hawaiʻi's power system from its water system, said Kawika Uyehara, deputy director of Hawaiʻi County's Department of Water Supply." Please Vote Unfavorable for Broadband and Smart Grid. Thank you, Sincerely, Rebecca Melendez From:Rogers To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Council Testimony; Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis;Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba, Holeka; Hustace,James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov Subject:NO on Hawaii General Plan 2045! Date:Monday, March 10, 2025 12:46:20 PM Attachments:image.png Aloha Commissioners, I have the following concerns regarding the Big Island General Plan 2045. The word “Stakeholder” used in the plan is very broad and should be changed to “Local Communities” which would include those affected by the decisions, projects and activities of the general plan such as all local homeowners, renters, farmers, businesses, organizations and individuals who live or own property on the Big Island. Local community interests must be considered. Climate Change - This is a very controversial issue. What documentation/proof have you looked at and are you also studying and considering reports from experts who state climate change does not exist? The OSCER Department in the plan will remove public input and leave decisions to unelected officials. This department should not be created. See page 188, 40.8. The General Plan 2045 will change land use from resident to recreation and effectively reduce property value and potentially provide an opening to re-zone land. I am against this. I am against the creating of conservation land per this plan. I believe The Big Island could instead use the land for agriculture and grow more food. Local residents have suggested the following plans https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdf https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa- 5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf The currently written General Plan 2045 should be rewritten so it will support our island. Mahalo, Lori Rogers Sent with Proton Mail secure email. From: Susan Forbes To: WPCtestimony Subject: Testimony for Windward Planning Commission Hearing Date:Monday,March 10, 2025 10:55:14 AM Attachments: Testimony for the Windward Planning Commission re.odf Aloha, Attached is my testimony related to the final draft of the General Plan 2045. In gratitude, Susan Forbes Susan Forbes PO Box 199 Hakalau, HI 96710 808-286-6130/sksforbes@gmail.com March 10, 2025 Windward Planning Commission, Hawaii County Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hi, Hawaii 96720 RE: Testimony on Hawaii County General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft Dear Chair Daniele, Vice Chair Perrin, and members of the Windward Planning Commission, Thankyou for this opportunity to testify. I have lived in Hawaii for the past 57 years and in Hakalau for the past 14 years. My focus is Hakalau Point, parcels 29002079 and 81. In 2015, 1 submitted a suggestion form to the County to acquire Hakalau Point under the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC). While a priority on the County's acquisition list, negotiations with the owner failed. I was an active participant in hearings of the Hamakua Community Plan. I'm testifying because of the inconsistency in the Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 and the HCDP adopted by ordinance in 2018,which was the result of significant community input and controversy during the HCDP process which lasted 9 years. My testimony summarizes the uniqueness of the site in terms of the historical, cultural and scenic significance. In addition, I've raised some practical issues related to safety within the community. Hakalau Point(and Hakalau Valley) played a major role in Hawaiian history. King Kamehameha defeated Maui warriors in Hakalau, an important step in the unification of the islands. (Attached is the 2015 PONC testimony of Kehaulani Lum delineating the details.) Hakalau Point and the mill area by the Bay were the hub of sugar production for over 100 years. The Point was a work site.The sugar industry is significant because of the contributions of its workers, immigrants from many cultures, and the values which enrich Hawaii today: Engage in collective effort. Look out for each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us.Aloha and Malama 'Aina.This history enriches all of us.There are stories to tell and lessons to be learned from understanding the cultural and historical significance of the area. 3.. T±i a L r t G 1tt y Y Hakalau Up Camp, Down Camp, Hakalau Point and Hakalau Bay, circa 1944-1945. Photo courtesy ofAkiko Masuda Conservation area along the cliffs and the availability of a recreational area are important. If we are serious about preserving the cultural, historical and environmental significance, a majority of Hakalau Point should be preserved for open/conservation/recreation. Safety issues do exist and are worth mentioning.This is a quiet residential neighborhood, although there are tourists who come to walk down to Hakalau Bay. Take a look at the setting in the Google Earth image from 2023. There is one road in and out of this section of Hakalau, i.e., Old Mamalahoa Highway.This poses a problem during an emergency, i.e., hurricanes, fires, etc. The road down to Hakalau Bay is currently blocked off and the park has been closed since 2017. It will remain closed while the Hakalau Bridge on Highway 19 is repaired/restored. This process will go on for years. Ljj 1 Hakalau Point is scenic...from the highway, from walking around the neighborhood, from the Bay or ocean. The scenic beauty is also worth preserving. Thank you for your service to the County and the people who live here. In gratitude, Susan Forbes k r Walau Point, 9-10-15, courtesy of Susan Forbes September 8, 2015 TO: Commissioners of the Hawai'i County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission FROM: Kehaulani Lum Aloha! Mahalo nui loa for this opportunity to present my concerns regarding the cultural and historically important lands of Hakalau Point. My name is Kehaulani Lum, and I am a lineal descendant of Kapou,the son of a Konohiki of Hakalau-nui and recipient of a Mahele grant in Wailea,which our'ohana stewards today. I wholeheartedly support your consideration of this opportunity to improve public access, open space and cultural, historic and natural resource preservation. Hakalau-nui carries the name of a ruling chief,who was the kaulana nui administrator of land) of the area and a revered 'olohe, a master fighter. The 'olohe of this area were renown for their prowess, and the ancient spiritual art of lua, from self-defense to healing,was practiced and taught here. In the Mahele,the lands encompassing Hakalau-nui, Hilo Paliku,were given by the King to Mikahela Kekau'onohi,the granddaughter of King Kamehameha. She held them until her death,when her estate entered into probate and was ultimately ordered by the Court to be sold, rather than to be retained by her heir. Hakalau-nui, thus, slipped away from their ancient purposes and entered into the holdings of foreign commerce. Along with the lands went the memories of a significant ancient battle which took place on these very shores between King Kamehameha's armies and the warriors of Kahekili of Maui. It is widely known today that Kamehameha, who thereupon confirmed the prophecy that he would be a great warrior king, lifted the historic Naha Stone,which sits outside of the Hilo Public Library. Less is known, however, of the circumstances that precipitated his act. The Reverend Stephen L. Desha,who published a series on Kamehameha Paiea and his great warrior, Kekuhaupi'o, in his weekly Hawaiian language newspaper Ka Hoku o Hawaii,wonderfully captured the story in the 1920s. Desha writes: After the passage of seven anahulu periods during which time Kamehameha arranged his battle divisions, he asked Kekuhaupi'o to accompany him to Hilo Paliku...Chief Kamehameha's great canoe was prepared and he took his warriors with him, a very wise act,because during this journey they were attacked by some Maui people. This was a great canoe which Kamehameha had prepared, and it carried almost two hundred men on one double canoe. There were also some swift sailing canoes, each canoe being able to carry fifty men with ease. Kamehameha and his warriors left Kohala, followed by Kekuhaupi'o and some warrior chiefs of Kohala. They sailed easily to land at Hakalau where Kamehameha and Kekuhaupi'o and their people were entertained by Chiefess Keakealani of Hilo; Princess Likoa; and Kahipa,the daughter of Chief K anekoa of Hamakua. She was living at Hakalau with her female hoahanau in those days. This visit by High Chief Kamehameha was a cause for joyous entertainment by these high chiefesses of Hilo and Hamakua... When Kamehameha arrived with his people at Hakalau, Kahahawai was staying in the upland forest of Hakalau, making a canoe for his lord, Kahekili of Maui. With him at that time was Kaihe,the "black [tattoo] of Kahekili," one of Kahekili's very great favorites, who was a famous warrior against Kahekili's men." Desha depicts in great detail the great battle which ensued here between Kamehameha's army and the warriors of Kahekili, revealing that it was the seminal event which led to the young chief being called to test his strength, and lineage, on the Naha stone. "On hearing of Kamehameha's victory in this battle with the Maui people, Chief Keawemauhili sighed, and said: "This is perhaps the bravery which shall achieve the conquest of these islands." This victorious fight led other chiefs to announce to Keawemauhili, "Indeed,your words at the time of this young chief s birth were really correct,that this was the appropriate time to pinch the tip of the mulberry. Now at this time, the branch is hardened, and the tip of the mulberry cannot be pinched off. Alas for us in the future. Perhaps the bitter fruits of the actions of this young chief will come, for here in the dust of morning [youth] that one's extraordinary deeds are already apparent." Like Kamehameha's later battle at Nu'uanu Pali,which helped seal his victory on the island of O'ahu, his battle at Hakalau-nui was a pivotal moment in his ascension and led to his greatest achievement, the establishing of peace,through the unification of the islands of Hawai'i. Here is the historic story of Hakalau-nui which I believe truly makes this space extremely worthy of protection. Mahalo nui loa for your sincere consideration. Aloha, Kehaulani Lum From: fred hofer To: WPCtestimonv;LPCtestimonv;Council Testimonv;Kimball,Heather;Kagiwada,Jennifer;Onishi,Dennis;Kierkiewicz,Ashlev;Kanealii- Kleinfelder,Matt;Villegas,Rebecca;Galimba,Michelle M.;Inaba,Holeka;Hustace,James;cohmavor(a)hawaiicountv.gov Subject: Big Island General Plan 2045 Testimony Date: Tuesday,March 11,2025 7:31:24 AM hags://docs.goo gle.com/document/u/0/d/16szOUug8jN3zT_MisDzLIW4jB W1tEggPOUrIMPWYPQo/mobilebasic Aloha kakahiaka kakou I hereby implore you-please do take the time to read&study the document Vote against that whole Plan,vote to scratch it and start anew with better counsel Ask the kupuna counsel ! Then present it up the residents for comment! As is,just a few points of concern: Points of Note: Land Use Titles changing Residential to Recreation DROPS property value. This is without due process and should be criminal The plan could set up MANY opportunities for the State to take your land&Rezone The plan could regulate OFF-GRID living The plan will further STRESS the electric grid by increasing prices. They want to create a Smart Grid and Broadband infrastructure that will dig up roads to lay WIFI cable underground that will be on all the time and wreak havoc on traffic. Most of the Big Island will change to Conservation land(only a park can be on it)or Natural land(no people, buildings,or farming). How will Hawaii Homelands give land back to Hawaiians? Please do read attached PDF for further food for thoughts-and vote unfavorable Mahalo, Fred Hilo IM1,1,1§,ININRiPPWW, V41, County of Havvaili Planning Department Mtn ICAAC Dist'd `,/ Reed FILE COPY Rc'd atttCmtg by (g Upcoming Windward and Leeward Planning Commission meetings. Please call 808-961-8288 for more information. Ptanning Commission Meetings for Review of Generat Ptan 2045: Tentative Windward Planning Commission Meetings: Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Tentative Leeward Planning Commission Meetings: Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. Please note these meeting dates are subject to change. 1 share Like Horne omment Senc Share Video Friends Marketplace Notifications Menu cyiry fhl( tqa. Dist d bed MUM Fifth Printing! Updates and Additions New Section on Regionalism Understanding Sustainable Development AGENDA 21 For the People an heir Public Officials Prepared by FREEDOM ADVOCATES"' Recognize Unalienable Rights www. Freedom Advocates.org Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Table of Contents: Introduction What is Sustainable Development? 2 Historical Development and Origins 2 The Antithetical Foundations of Liberty and Sustainable Development 4 Implementing Sustainable Development 6 Equity: Using the Law to Restructure Human Nature 7 Economy: The Redistribution of Wealth and the Creation of Public Private Partnerships 8 Environment: Nature Above Man 9 Educating Youth: Molding the Minds of Tomorrow 10 Stakeholder Councils: Restructuring American Government 11 ICLEI 13 Regionalism 15 Funding Sources 19 Political Support 19 Sustainable Development Land Use Programs 21 The Wildlands Network 21 Smart Growth 23 NAFTA Superhighway Trade Corridor and Toll Road System 25 What You Can Do .... 26 Six Practical Steps to Restore and Protect Liberty 27 Freedom Advocates`"• P.O. Box 3330 • Freedom, CA 95019 831.684.2232 Fifth Printing (Updated) - 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 Freedom Advocates is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation. Your tax deductible contribution is valuable for the continuation of our work. Copyright 2012. FreedomAdvocates.org Introduction You may have heard people talking about Sustainable Development — in public meetings, on television and on the radio. Consultants talk about it, university professors lecture on it, and at all levels of government, it is now being mandated. But what is Sustainable Development? That is precisely the question this guide is intended to address. In the following pages, you will read of the origins of Sustainable Development, its theoretical underpinnings, its major programs, and how it is implemented. When you have finished reading this document, you will have the knowledge necessary to begin identifying the vast array of Sustainable Development programs that exist and continue to arise. Please recognize this document for what it is: a unique opportunity to learn more about Sustainable Development. Then you can make a difference in your town by supporting present and future actions that restore and protect the rights and well-being of you, your family, and your neighbors. More information on the nature and consequences of Sustainable Development is available from Freedom Advocates. http://www.FreedomAdvocates.org Understanding Sustainable Development - Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development - Agenda 21 PCSD) for the purpose of implementing Agenda 21 in the United States. The PCSD operated through 1999, but its actions to promote Sustainable Development have taken root, and now exert an increasing influence across America. International organizations such as the U.N., and its accredited Non - Governmental Organizations (NGOs), generally consider Sustainable Development and Agenda 21 to be synonymous. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion and equivocation, Sustainable Development will be the term used throughout this document to refer to both. Agenda 21 will only be used to refer to the actual document from the Rio Earth Summit. At times the political agenda embodied in Sustainable Development is implemented under other names for purposes of political expediency. J. Gary Lawrence, a planner for the City of Seattle and advisor to the President's Council on Sustainable Development said in 1998, Participating in a U.N. advocated planning process would very likely bring out many...who would actively work to defeat any elected official...undertaking Local Agenda 21. So we will call our process something else, such as "comprehensive planning," "growth management," or "smart growth."' The Antithetical Foundations of Liberty and Sustainable Development Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist." John Adams It has long been known that liberty is tied to the institution of private property. The Decalogue codified private property in four words: Thou shalt not steal." Private property and freedom are inseparable." George Washington 5. Lawrence, J. Gary, The Future of Local Agenda 21 in the New Millennium, The Millennium Papers, UNED-UK, Issue 2, (1998), 3. The institution of private property is understood by those who participate in the American Experiment' as its principles are included in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.' The right to property as outlined in those documents are premised on an owner's determination of its use, provided that such use does not disturb the equal rights of another. all Men...are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." The Declaration ofIndependence Which Philosophy of Rights? Nature Source Purpose of government In sh1u Individual Rights U.S. Declaration ofIndependence Protect the natural or unalienable rights of each individual That all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..." You're born with rights, government exists to protect them. You and the product of your labor belong to you. Community Rights U.N. Declaration ofHuman Rights Control the individual for the greater good of a global community Rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations" Government grants, restricts or withdraws your rights according to its needs. You and the product of your labor belong to the community. 2007 FREEDOMADVOCATES.ORG 6. Soapes, Emily Williams. "The American Experiment: Living with the Constitution." Prologue: Journal of the National Archives 19, no.3 (Fall 1987): 185-189. 7. See also Machan, Tibor, Private Rights & Public Illusions, Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick (1995). 4 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 What is Sustainable Development? The most common definition of Sustainable Development given by its proponents is a statement found in the Brundtland Report, Our Common Future, released during the 1987 United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Gro Harlem Brundtland Historical Development and Origins Even the term "sustainable" must be defined, since on the surface it appears to be inherently positive. In reality, Sustainable Development has become a "buzz" term that refers to a political agenda, rather than an objectively sustainable form of development. Specifically, it refers to an initiative of the United Nations (U.N.) called Sustainable Development Agenda 21. Sustainable Development Agenda 21 is a comprehensive statement of a political ideology that is being progressively infused into every level of government in America. Known around the world simply as Agenda 21, this initiative is "a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally, and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts [sic] on the environment."1 Agenda 21 was unveiled in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly 1. http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda2l/ 1 1.L © I Mb./hv+w.rnv A.M/MatlMk* mYb/agard.l7ANI VQ Ilpme About II. CnmmN.mn on SUHHnabl. D.u.lopment N.Nonal Inf.tmaUnn Maio, fanops Patln.nh,pa Small blend Dan lopinq l,tn laahnical Co.pelalinn PubIlulInns N.w'U•die UM Innr aq.noy Coordmauon Cal.ndar LFJJ United Nations Division for Sustainable Development r Re obrOry n,/uture pmemtlons fo Mee A9.Ma prrone pq anuernto r. 9. lahmplab4l , n.wMry and mKamnatlwaM, by pani' IM U.a 9alwns >y Ham. 4 bMt. W Mem Vrapan ovary _1a n .1.ah Mman mood. on IM men Ara. 71 IMP Rp D.Lc*rawn pn EnwprMnl enC 4Ywgnwj band lM yaamanOfPanto., br lty iamnsl aManagmonl pfq.Hswent adopad by ter• than 178 borer rn• nti al Ih• UNed dedawn (VW rnenaa on 0Mn In nlandDaUHVNW. ED) id nRlaMJana., S&Ant, J to14 Ana 1992 ruy0mnS4pn qrnSoo,wrap• DnaNa0n tl, SDI cnMSn Drormbar 1992 toensure .hclm w,n+w ofUNC ED, to man.and upon or. r.ybm.Ma1n o1 tM a.emones al IM bcal, nMgMl, qaW and n_rwmn / *Ws tt was aq..IUY 1 Fn n.r.a Eanh SonoM propns.0Wdpe ad w/ by me Linot d NMrwn GeMIN Assan-0ly mt.., r.P•C41 H1NM npMmaawronofay.* 21, w PI•..mm* r.r iwPwr MWNmMMwn dA/PNa71 aM INo *.drds is Ir Rp mambo. won MeV, NIItIN a PpWail 19 a oSaalaablrml84.. lWIND)A,p*1MM *,.' p) Sam MeerloomsAgpat la. Spun** zm frlLlisYillrI s__.rrElba¢1em Com0MnN 4np supp•,ann1 1p wan 2003 oe Image 1.: The United Nations website clearly displays Agenda 21 documents known as the Rio Earth Summit, where more than 178 nations adopted Agenda 21, and pledged to evaluate progress made in implementing the plan every five years thereafter. President George H. W. Bush was the signatory for the United States.2 Although Congress never authorized the implementation of Agenda 213( as a soft -law policy recommendation4— not a treaty — it needs no ratification), in 1993, President Bill Clinton established, by Executive Order 12852, the President' s Council on Sustainable Development 2. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/ RioEarthSum 3. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) submitted a resolution (H.J. Res. 166) to the 103rd Congress on March 29, 1993 urging the President and Congress to assume a strong leadership role in implementing the decisions made at the Earth Summit by developing a national strategy to implement Agenda 21 and other Earth Summit agreements...." Though that bill stalled in the Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade and Environment, its recommendations have been implemented through various actions by the President, and Congress. 4. "Soft law" policy is not binding. This is a common procedure in the U.N.'s policy development strategy. "Soft law" documents are quite often followed by treaties or covenants, which are binding international law; alternately, soft law can find immediate application through local legislation or policy without an internationally binding agreement. 2 — 3 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Economy: The Redistribution of Wealth and the Creation of Public Private Partnerships current lifestyles and consumption patterns of the affluent middle class — involving high meat intake, use of fossil fuels, appliances, home and work air conditioning, and suburban housing are not sustainable." Maurice Strong, Secretary General, U.N. Conference on Environment and Development, 1992. (Also known as the Rio Earth Summit, where Agenda 21 was unveiled) According to its preamble, "The developmental and environmental objectives of Agenda 21 will require a substantial flow of new and additional financial resources to developing countries." Language throughout Agenda 21 erroneously assumes that life is a zero -sum game (the wealth of the world was made at the expense of the poor, making them even poorer). This critique of economic ills denies the ingenuity of private action, individual determination, and truly free- market innovation, and leads inevitably to the conclusion that if the conditions of the poor are to be improved, wealth must be taken from the rich. Sustainable Development embodies this unjust redistribution of wealth both in theory and in implementation, effectively lowering the standard of living for poor and middle class people. The Draft Covenant on Environment and Development states in Article 8: "equity will be achieved through implementation of the international economic order...and through transfers of resources to developing countries...." In fact, such justification covers up the real transfer of power and resources to the elite cabal that drives world government. In addition to its appeal for the international redistribution of wealth, Sustainable Development is actually restructuring the economy, molding it not on private enterprise but on public private partnerships. Public Private Partnerships bring businesses desiring the protection offered by government's legalized force together with government agents that want the power that comes with economic control. The power of economics, and the force of government, must serve as a check and balance on each other; combining the two will ultimately result in tyranny. Free enterprise is lost amid subsidies, incentives, tax -breaks, and insider privilege, and with it goes the notion that the customer is the final determiner of how resources are allocated in production. The Sustainable Development "partnerships" involve some domestic corporations, most multinational, many tax-exempt foundations, select individuals, and collectivist politicians and their administrations. Environment: Nature Above Man Americans support laws and regulations that are designed to effectively prevent pollution of the air, water, or the property of another. Yet, it is increasingly clear that Sustainable Development uses the environment simply as the means to promote a political agenda. For example, Al Gore says that Sustainable Development will bring about "a wrenching transformation" of American society." Sustainable Development is ostensibly concerned with the environment; it is more concerned with restructuring the governmental system of the world's nations so that all the people of the world will be the subjects of a global collective. Many of its proposed implementation strategies require the surrender of unalienable rights. 11. "Minor shifts in policy, marginal adjustments in ongoing programs, moderate improvements in laws and regulations, rhetoric offered in lieu of genuine change — these are all forms of appeasement, designed to satisfy the public's desire to believe that sacrifice, struggle, and a wrenching transformation of society will not be necessary." Gore, Al, Earth in the Balance. Plume (1993): 274. Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 In contrast to the unalienable rights protected in America's founding documents, the United Nations' Charter and the Declaration of Human Rights are based on a very different idea: rights are granted and rescinded by men. The Sustainable Development political agenda originates in the founding documents of the United Nations. This isn't surprising, since the myriad countries represented in the drafting of Agenda 21 have widely divergent forms of government, and must have a point of agreement (a "least common denominator") to rally around — and the U.N. Charter provides that point. However, for progress to be made in implementing Sustainable Development in the United States, unalienable rights such as the right to property must be eroded, attacked, and struck down altogether.$' 9 Implementing Sustainable Development The authors of Agenda 21 have said it will affect every area of life, grouped according to three objectives: Equity, Economy, and Environment (known commonly as the "3 Es"). By defining these terms vaguely, a litany of abuses have resulted. Furthermore, by rubber-stamping pre -conceived plans, using manipulative "visioning" sessions to garner the appearance of public buy -in, and acquiring grants from sources with questionable motives, the entire process of implementing Sustainable Development policies is suspect. 8. Nullification of the right to the reasonable use of one's property affects by extension the right to private action and the freedom of expression. Shaw, Michael, What is Private Property? Liberty Garden (2003). 9. Heywood, V.H. (ed.). Global Biodiversity Assessment. United Nations Environment Programme. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1995): 767, 782. This document likewise condemns "inappropriate social structures" (p 763), golf courses (p 970), and the attitudes toward nature found in "Judeo-Christian- Islamic religions" (pp 766, 838). SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Equity: Using the Law to Restructure Human Nature The authors of the Sustainable Development action plan recognized that their environmental and economic objectives, and the corresponding transformation of the American system of equal justice to a system of "social" justice, are radically divergent from the views and objectives of the average person. Therefore, in order to achieve their objectives, they call for a shift in attitudes that can be seen in the educational programs developed by its proponents. This is the premise of Sustainable Development: That individual human wants, needs and desires are to be conformed to the views and dictates of the community (Communitarianism). Harvey Ruvin, Vice Chair of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and Clerk of the Circuit and County Court in Miami -Dade County, Florida has said, "individual rights will have to take a back seat to the collective" in the process of implementing Sustainable Development.1° 10. Peros, Joan, unpublished report, UNCED Rio+10 Summit — Johannesburg, South Africa (2002). Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Stakeholder council meetings are typically arranged under the auspices of soliciting input from community members on a project. This project may be initiated by local public officials, local, regional or national non-profit organizations, NGOs, and/or public private partners.15 Anyone from your next -door neighbor to someone from another town initially promotes the "visioning" plan or process. Realize that these smiling faces are not working in your best interest. They are typically connected politically or through their careers to a group working with an agenda. A typical stakeholder council meeting is run by a trained facilitator.16 It is not the facilitator's job to make sure that all views are entered into the record. His job instead, is to guide the group to arrive at a consensus on the project. The consensus process uses the Delphi Technique and has no mechanism for recording minority views. Since he is being paid by the organization responsible for the project, it is in his interest to arrive at a consensus sympathetic to the desired outcome of the project. Tactics vary between the facilitators, but consensus generally is reached by using subtle means to marginalize opposition, such as recording only the "good" ideas, and allowing criticism only for the "bad" ideas." A Sustainable Development stakeholder meeting in Greenville, South Carolina, was adjourned with a frank admission by the paid facilitator that they had not reached the consensus that he needed to support the predetermined plans.18 15. Recall that civil society actors and many Non -Governmental Organizations are accredited by the U.N., making them international, or multinational in their political purpose. In this sense, they might be more appropriately called "Global Governance Organizations." 16. Professional facilitators are frequently paid thousands of dollars for only a few hours of work. 17. Eakman, B.K. How to Counter Group Manipulation Tactics: The Techniques of Unethical Consensus -Building Unmasked. Midnight Whistler Publishers, Raleigh, N.C., 2011. 18. Dill, Bob, Land Use Leaders Declare Defeat; Wrong Consensus Reached, Meetings Cancelled, Times -Examiner, Greenville, South Carolina. Steven Lipe, the meeting organizer, announced that "the consensus is that we don't have enough people to make change. As far as I am concerned, our meeting is done" OF SMART GROWTH; 1GEND41i tUSTAINAeLE DFIELOPMXT OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE ANSWERS WE WANT AND MAKE THE CITIZENS THINK THEY'RE PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS WHILE ALL THE DECISIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE BEFOREHANDIII Why all the effort to gain support for programs few citizens want? The answer to this question lies in the origin of each specific project. Sustainable Development projects are often initiated at the directive of NGOs or non-profit organizations that have — or create — fear over problems that are portrayed as a crisis: development near a riparian corridor, poor water management infrastructure, or too many cars on the freeway are common examples. ICLEI Once a problem has been identified, every NGO, non-profit, and local government body has a vast stock of Sustainable Development solutions at hand, provided by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). Indeed, ICLEI has a veritable treasure trove of boilerplate solutions for change agents, enabling them to "identify" problems with the goal of implementing predetermined outcomes that advance Sustainable Development policies." 19. cf. Taylor, Jerry, op cit. 12 — 13 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 This fact alone casts a serious shadow of doubt on the motives of Sustainable Developers who would discard the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and property in order to pursue dubious programs.12 When Sustainable Development is implemented, ordinary people will be left unprotected from de facto decrees placing nature above man, while relegating man to the status of a "biological resource."13 Educating Youth: Molding the Minds of Tomorrow All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth." Aristotle To ensure continuing support of their anti -human programs, Sustainable Developers mold the minds of the next generation. Chapter 25 of the U.N. Sustainable Development Agenda 21 calls for the need to "enlist and empower children and youth in reaching for sustainability." Even a cursory look at the federally -mandated curriculum being taught in classrooms would show that the doctrines of Sustainable Development are finding their way into every subject. French classes teach students to "save the earth;" economics classes feature lectures that discourage individual initiative in the marketplace and decry private ownership; history classes obscure the importance of America's founding documents; mandatory "service -learning" programs enlist students to work for government -approved Sustainable Development partner organizations. 12. cf. Taylor, Jerry, Sustainable Development: A Dubious Solution in Search of a Problem, Cato Institute (2002). 13. Bureau of Land Management, Internal Working Document for ecosystem management, (March 1994). The list goes on and on. While taxpayers foot the bill for the increasing costs of government education, parents are increasingly shut out of decisions crucial to the molding of their child's mind. Controversial programs designed for "values clarification" are being performed in government schools that employ powerful behavior control techniques and peer pressure to make a developing child question his or her individual worth and values, and are designed to disrupt parental oversight in the upbringing of their children." Stakeholder Councils: Restructuring American Government I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations." James Madison The way that Sustainable Development is carried out in local communities around the world is particularly alarming, especially to those who seek accountability in government. Operating within a system of stakeholder councils, organized to give third parties a stake" in the control over property in neighborhoods, proponents of Sustainable Development systematically promote their own ideas and marginalize any local opposition, particularly those individuals who advocate the freedom to use and enjoy private property. The product of a stakeholder council, often called a "consensus statement" or a "vision statement," is typically approved by local governments without question, requiring citizens to submit to the predetermined conclusions of a non -elected regional authority that is not accountable to the voters. 14. http://www.freedomadvocates.org/articles/education_transformation/ aptos_high_school_%22crosses_the_line%22_with_secret_behavior_control_ exercise 20060927321/ 10 — 11 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 governance that ultimately abolishes private property. Let's take a look at an excerpt from the United Nations' Agenda 21 document concerning transportation planning: Earth Summit - Agenda 21: The United Nations Programme of Action Chapter 7 — Human Settlements Section 7.52: Promoting...urban transport systems...should be a comprehensive approach to urban -transport planning and management. To this end, all countries should: encourage development patterns that reduce transport demand Adopt urban -transport programmes favouring high - occupancy public transport... Encourage non -motorized modes of transport by providing safe cycleways and footways in urban and suburban centres... Towns across the country are adopting these transport systems. This is because these systems are imposed upon locales by a regional level of government largely unknown and when known, underestimated. Regionalism might sound benign, but the consequences must be understood by freedom loving people or liberty will be trampled. Citizens must know about the following regional planning and development agencies: Council of Governments (COG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Council of Governments (COG) COGs are region -wide associations of local governments — regional bodies, typically defined to serve an area of several counties to address issues such as regional and municipal planning, economic and community development, cartography and Government Information Systems (GIS), hazard mitigation and emergency planning, aging services, water use, pollution control, transit administration, and transportation planning. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) MPOs are federally mandated and, like COGs, are the instruments for restructuring American government. They are setting up an infrastructure for a new economic system based on public private partnership to replace free enterprise. COGs and MPOs are federalized organizations that break down America's constitutionally formulated government structure. Their purpose is to control and direct local government from behind the scenes. Today, they propel the federal injection of the globalist agenda into local government policy and thereby negate the protections afforded by our constitutional system of government. In the words of Charlotte Iserbyt, former Department of Education official and author of The Deliberate Dumbing Down ofAmerica, Regionalism is Communism."" Regionalism promotes soviet style councils that develop policy that is then rubber-stamped by elected officials, with no meaningful public oversight. It is an extra level of government that operates outside the provisions of the Constitution, thus advancing globalist objectives whilst insulating most elected officials. 24. Iserbyt, Charlotte. "Regionalism is Communism." NewsWithViews.com, February 4, 2004, http://www.newswithviews.com/iserbyt/iserbytl3.htm. 16 — 17 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability is directing policies that cause: stack 'em and pack 'em surveilled housing traffic congestion inaccessible open space managed control over our lives mismanagement of water supplies prohibition on natural resource management that leads to increased fire hazards and private property restrictions Image 2: ICLEI, aka The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives ICLEI was launched in 1990 at the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future. ICLEI is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has offices around the globe, including a U.S. office in Oakland, California. Its stated mission is to provide policy recommendations to assist local governments in the implementation of Sustainable Development. ICLEI was instrumental in the development of Agenda 21, having drafted Chapter 28 in 1991 in preparation for the 1992 Earth Summit. ICLEI reaffirmed its dedication to the U.N. 2002 Earth Summit mandate: "Local Action 21 strategies will ensure the unwavering, systematic implementation of local action plans over the next decade.."20 Essentially, Sustainable Development claims knowledge of all sustainability issues and has stock solutions that can be applied in Stockholm, Boulder, Santa Cruz — indeed, anywhere. Around the world, ICLEI is responsible for communicating with 20. Otto -Zimmerman, Konrad, Local Action 21: Motto, Mandate, Movement, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, Toronto (2003): 2. See ICLEI's website for more information: http://www.iclei.org. local special interests to translate international policy objectives into local and regional legislation.21 Every county in America now has Sustainable Development directives guided by federal agencies, NGOs and/or ICLEI. The number of communities with citizens working to remove ICLEI is expanding as people begin to tie the links between ICLEI and Sustainable Development.22 Regionalism23 The political structure of America has been transformed. This has occurred quietly over the last 50 years without public awareness of the mechanisms underlying the change. Today, the effect of a communitarian philosophic approach to government dominates public expectations and legislative agendas. Gone are the days when government was limited, where individuals were politically acknowledged to possess unalienable rights, and where money was honest. At the core of this transformation is the political process of "regionalizing" the country. Political regionalism is the antithesis of representative government. Regionalism restructures or reinvents the operation of government. Regionalism is the "blueprint" for your serfdom. It has infiltrated cities and counties everywhere, affecting transportation, water, farming and land use systems... literally every aspect of your life. Regionalism is being used to destroy traditional political boundaries, such as county lines. Regionalism ushers in a transformed system of 21. Note that ICLEI's objectives presuppose the notion that the goal of improving the conditions of the world can only be achieved through legislation, denigrating the intelligence and ingenuity of individuals in facing their particular circumstances, and placing them under the increasing oversight of government planners. 22. http://www.freedomadvocates.org/articles/illegitimate_government/iclei_ primer%3 ayouur_town_and_fre edom_threatened_20090 8043 64/ 23. From Michael Shaw's lecture series (Part 1) "The Ultimate War: Globalism vs. America," available at: http://www.FreedomAdvocates.org. 14 — 15 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 As Sustainable Development policies permeate every county in America, it has become apparent that the conflict is not a dynamic of Republican vs. Democrat, liberal vs. conservative, or left vs. right. In fact, the implementation of Sustainable Development is occurring on a bi-partisan basis. THE CONTEMPORARY DIALECTIC BRINGING A GLOBAL GREEN CARTEL TO AMERICA COLLECTIVIST ONE WORLD LEFT tPOF/ LG 09 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COLLECTIVIST ONE WORLD RIGHT 6• GOVERNMEN CONTROLLE SOCIETY 4 e Yi NY v 2005 FREEDOMADVOCATES Sustainable Development Land Use Programs Sustainable Development is a plan for global control including the restriction of land use and resource extraction. The land use element of Sustainable Development calls for the implementation of two action plans designed to abolish private property: the Wildlands Network and Smart Growth. Upon final implementation of these plans all human action is subject to control. Since all things ultimately come from natural resources on rural lands, the transfer of the landscape from private control to government control will make it easy for government and its partners — NGOs, foundations, businesses, and corporations — to control what we have, what we do, and where we go. The transformation of free societies into collectivized societies through Sustainable Development ensures the dominance of a ruling elite which, by definition, excludes all but a very select few. The Wildlands Network The Wildlands Network (aka Wildlands Project) is the plan to eliminate human presence on "at least" 50 percent of the American landscape,25 and to heavily control human activity on most of the rest of American land. Examples of the piece -by -piece implementation of the Wildlands Network include road closures, the policy of breaching dams and the adoption of United Nations World Heritage Sites — which 25. Reed Noss, who made this assertion in 1992, reiterated his commitment in a recent interview: "Fifty percent is an estimate I made years ago of the proportion of an average region that would need to be managed for conservation in order to meet well -accepted conservation goals ... [It] turns out I was pretty much on the mark ..." (Range Magazine, Fall 2003, p42). Noss has been the Science Editor for Wild Earth, the quarterly publication of the Wildlands Project. 20— 21 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 In short, regionalism works to advance the globalist goals of political restructure: To implement a step-by-step approach to the abolition of private property; To promote the relocation of people from rual areas to Smart Growth urban centers; To conscript public private partners and mandate community volunteerism. Consequently, government no longer operates the way traditional eighth grade textbooks explained it. Funding Sources The list of money sources for the implementation of Sustainable Development is impressive. American taxes fund the federal agencies' present focus: implementing Sustainable Development. Thousands of NGOs are accredited by the United Nations for the purpose of implementing Sustainable Development in America, and are given massive tax advantages. Some of these NGOs are the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, the National Audubon Society, the American Planning Association, the National Teachers Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Farm Bureau Federation. After government and non-profit funding schemes, the third "leg" of the Sustainable Development financial insiders is a group of tax- exempt foundations. These include the Rockefeller Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, the Turner Foundation, the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, the McArthur Foundation, Community Foundations, and many more. Political Support When President George H. W. Bush signed the Rio Accords at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, he pledged the United States government's support for Agenda 21. A year later, when President Bill Clinton created the President's Council on Sustainable Development by Executive Order 12852, he laid the foundation for a proliferation of federal agencies and local "stakeholder" councils that would set out to reinvent government. The same trend continues through both Republican and Democratic leadership, including Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Programs to herd citizens into tax -subsidized, government controlled, mixed -use developments" called "human settlements." These settlements are sometimes distinguished from one another by how productive or useful the citizens are for society.28 Heavy restrictions on development in most areas and the promotion of extremely dense development, constructed and managed by government "partners" in other selected areas, typically focused on transit hubs. Rations on public services, such as health care, drinking water29 and energy resources (and sources). A typical day in the Orwellian society created by Smart Growth would consist of an individual waking up in her government - provided housing unit, eating a ration of government -subsidized foods purchased at a government -sanctioned grocery store, walking her children (if she has any) to the government -run child care center, boarding government -subsidized public transit to go to her government job, then returning to her quarters later that evening. 27. The lure of paying as little as $150 per year in taxes on properties valued at $1.5 million has led to high occupancy in some developments in Portland, Oregon, for example. 28. The Smart Growth plan for Richland County, South Carolina, for example, distinguishes between "employment -based villages," and "non - employment -based villages," with special gated communities set aside for the wealthy individuals responsible for the plan. Most of the "non -employment - based villages" are slated to be built in areas currently populated by the descendants of liberated slaves. 29. Reasonable access to water in urban areas is defined as "the availability of 20 litres per capita per day at a distance no longer than 1,000 metres." Global Water Supply and Assessment Report 2000. NAFTA Superhighway Trade Corridor and Toll Road System Terri Hall, founder of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom TexasTURF.org) prepared the following in her article:3° Some have tried to convince the public that the Trans -Texas Corridor and NAFTA Superhighways are dead, never existed or are even a myth. Yet, Congress recently passed a new, two-year federal highway bill called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) that not only gives priority funding to these "high priority" trade corridors, but also makes it easier to hand them over to private multi- national corporations using controversial public private partnership contract arrangements that promote and enhance the tolling of America at the taxpayer's expense. Now three intercontinental U.S. corridors are planned by the federal government, as illustrated by this map. r` , 012 House -Senate ransportation Conference MAP-21 snow f Awe1 a.n •h+www.. m. fw w f NAFTA TRADE CORRIDORS CANAMEX Ports -to -Plains T C-ssn-69 Trans -Can Connector $ Na; elm 30. Hall, Terri. "MAP-21: Congress-Obama expand NAFTA Superhighway Trade Corridor and Toll Road System," July 17, 2012, http://216.235.200.227/ page.aspx?pid=668. 24— 25— Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Simulated Reserve and Corridor System to Protect Biodiversity As Required by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Wildlands Project, UN and US Man and Biosphere Programs and World Heritage Program as a Vital Step in Attaining Sustainable Development y': This map was used in the United States Senate to stop the ratification of the 4.• wr t r United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 4. r ._` w, 4dSi 1 1 141? al + I/' N Mrx‘, ra41, — 11 lL r i } 1 + S'1i,e,ly f'• 4rCr • if a"iik fS . r kero. Core Reserves Corridors Little to no human use Buffer Zones - Highly Regulated Use Border 21/La Paz Sidebar Agreement S of NAFTA-200 Mile Wide International Zone of Cooperation Normal Use Indian Reservations Military Reservations In Smart Growth - Human Settlements Taken From: The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Article 8a-e; United Nations Global BiodiversityAssessment, Section 13.4.2.2.3; US Man and the Biosphere Strategic Plan, UN/US Heritage Corridor Program, "The Wildlands Project,' WildEarth, 1992. Also see Science, "The High Cost of Biodiversity,' 25 June, 1993, pp 1968-1871 and the Border 21 Sidebar of NAFTA. The very high percentage of buffer zone in the West is due to the very high percentage of federal land. NOTE: Do not use this map for real estate purposes. Copyright 1997, Environmental Perspectives, Inc. (207) 945-9878 Image 3: Prepared by Dr. Michael Coffman, Environmental Perspectives, Inc. are systematically being restricted and closed to use. Conservation biologists now agree that protecting isolated pockets of habitat isn't enough to protect our bears, jaguars, beavers, birds and other wildlife — the only way to protect them is to practice conservation on a continental scale," announced Wildlands Project Executive Director, Leanne Klyza Linck, at the Society of Environmental Journalists Conference on September 12, 2003. The most significant tools of the Wildlands Network is the rapidly expanding imposition of habitat "protection" provisions under the Endangered Species Act, the adoption of "conservation easements" and direct land acquisitions from battered "willing sellers." The Wildlands Network seeks to collectivize all natural resources e.g., water) and centralize all use decisions under bureaucratic direction, often implemented through public private partnerships. Smart Growth The rural land use plan embodied in the Wildlands Network is inextricably tied to its urban counterpart, Smart Growth. As human beings are barred from rural land, there will be a concentration of human activity in urban areas. Through Smart Growth, the infrastructure is being created for a post -private property era in which human action is subject to centralized government control. With the combined implementation of Smart Growth and the Wildlands Network, humans will be herded into urban centers and the animals will run free. Sometimes called "comprehensive planning," "growth management,"26 New Urbanism," or "Sustainable Communities," Smart Growth is the centralized control of every aspect of urban life: energy and water use, housing stock and allocation, population levels and control, public health and dietary regimens, resources and recycling, "social justice" and education, toxic technology and waste management, transportation modes and mobility restrictions, business and economic activity including capping and trading energy. Smart Growth policies include: Transportation plans that reduce freedom of mobility, forcing people to live near where they work, and transforming communities into heavily -regulated but "self-sufficient" feudalistic "transit villages." 26. "...we call our [U.N. advocated planning] processes something else, such as comprehensive planning, growth management, or smart growth." Lawrence, J. Gary, op cit. 22— 23— Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Freedom Advocates Store Pamphlets: Understanding Sustainable Development NDA 21 - Sustainable Development: Global to Local Action Plans Understanding Sustainable Development Agenda 21 — You may have heard people talking about Sustainable Development — in public meetings, on television and on the radio. Consultants talk about it, university professors lecture on it, and government entities are increasingly implementing it. But what is Sustainable Development? That is precisely the question this pamphlet is intended to address. Bulk Pricing: 1 - 100 copies $4.00 each 101 - 1000 copies $3.00 each 1001 + copies Call: 831.684.2232 Sustainable Development: Global to Local Action Plans This thorough expose is the third in a series of Freedom Advocates pamphlets. It provides an analysis of how sustainable policy invades and directs your county through its global to local action plan. The booklet is designed to provide information that you and others need in order to preserve liberty at the local level. Understand and join in the battle to prevent globalist policies from thwarting natural law. Bulk Pricing: 1 - 100 copies $5.00 each 101 - 1000 copies $3.00 each 1001 + copies Call: 831.684.2232 Add $4.00 shipping for 1-10 copies ofeither pamphlet, call for shipping costs for orders over 10) Audio: Transfotnung Amery THE \'Ali 011 RI:ASUI1 8 Hours of Presentation, 44 from F21SC Radio 8 Hours of Radio Interviews and Presentations from the Freedom 21 Santa Cruz Radio Show America is being transformed from the land of the free to the land of the controlled via mechanisms that target the middle class. Knowing reality — the threat and the potential — is the foundation for restoring and preserving liberty. Hosted by Michael Shaw, Freedom Advocates, with the following guests and topics: Abolishing Private Property - Dr. Michael Coffman (2 hours) Screening your Child for "Mental Health"— Dismantling the Family Dr. Karen Effrem Central Banking and Sustainable Tyranny - Dr. Edwin Viera Fabian Socialism, Regionalizing England, and the European Union - Robert Theobald The All Out War on Natural Law - William Roberts (2 hours) Price: $25.00 (plus $5.00 shipping) 28 — Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Booklet: UNsustainable Cartoons By Barry Nathan With Additional Commentary by Rosa Koire and Michael Shaw c) 2012 UNsustainable Cartoons is a collection ofhumorous, incisive cartoons and descriptive text. It lampoons the ideology and insidious U.N. agenda behind the activism of the environmental movement and subsequent erosion of property rights. The reader will become informed, through the medium of cartoon humor in a few words and pictures capturing the ironies and seriousness ofthe threat to freedom in an unconventional manner. The paperback book is comprised of 59 black and white cartoon illustrations, color cover, plus 8 pages ofdescriptive text. Video: LIBERTY Sustainable Development Le SamlNt At (:amp WAN Price: $15.00 (plus $5.00 shipping) The Most Comprehensive Expose of Sustainable Development to Date! America's Choice: Liberty or Sustainable Development Liberty! A Life of One's Own Michael Shaw, Freedom 21 Santa Cruz, CA, now Freedom Advocates Transformational Education: Preparing our Childrenfor Global Citizenship Michael Chapman, Ed Watch, MN The Smart Growth Fraud Michael Coffman, Sovereignty International, ME Exposing Group Manipulation Tactics Beverly Eakman, National Education Consortium, MD The Original Six Hour Presentation on DVD Only $401 19 Special Price with this order form! Includes shipping) Sustainable Development: The Wrenching Transformation of America Tom DeWeese, American Policy Center, VA For more Freedom Advocates products, call: 831.684.2232, or visit our Store at: http://www.FreedomAdvocates.org/store Yes! I need to know more! Please send me: Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Sustainable Development: Global to Local Action Plans War on Reason Audio CD sets UNsustainable Cartoons America's Choice DVDs Total Items Total Price with Shipping Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Email: Enclosed is my check or money order for Please make checks payable to: Freedom Advocates' P.O. Box 3330 Freedom, CA 95019 831.684.2232 831,685.1472 (Fax) www.FreedomAdvocates.org FREEDOM ADVOCATES Rreagni„e Unalienable Rigkf. Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 Understanding Sustainable Development — Agenda 21 What You Can Do Once again a majority of this court has proved that if enough people get together and act in concert, they can take something and not pay for it. ... But theft is still theft. Theft is theft even when the government approves of the thievery.... Turning a democracy into a kleptocracy does not enhance the stature of the thieves; it only diminishes the legitimacy of the government." Justice Janice Brown, dissenting opinion, San Remo Hotel v. City and County of San Francisco 31 Sustainable Development is restructuring our lives and is targeting our children through an educational regime that seeks to develop collectivist attitudes, values and beliefs. Sustainable Development documents call for the abolishment of private property32 and the freedom that private property supports. It supplants long-standing state laws and causes irreparable harm to our economy and our society. If individual members of our society do nothing, the continuing loss of liberty will result in increasing social confusion and discord, rising resource shortages, financial decay and a dimming future for us and our posterity. The looming battle of ideas should be recognized as a classic — and perhaps ultimate — battle between Liberty and Tyranny. The social, economic, and political transformations Sustainable Development requires will mean the suppression of unalienable rights for all people.33 31. No. S091757., SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 27 Cal. 4th 643; 41 P.3d 87, March 8, 2002. 32. Heywood, V.H. (ed.). op cit. 33. For a more comprehensive discussion of this topic, see the Freedom 21 Alternative to the U.N.'s Agenda 21 Program for Sustainable Development. kttp://www.freedom2l.org/un-alternative.htm If Americans, with your help, come to a timely understanding of the threat and face the challenge squarely, the deceptive fraud of Sustainable Development will quickly come to light. Together, we will rise to restore Liberty through a renewal of reason and respect for the dignity of individual determination. The future of the freedom once taken for granted in America depends on us recognizing and countering the threats of Sustainable Development. Six Practical Steps to Restore and Protect Liberty 1. Recognize and resist the trend to replace political boundaries with regional governance." Recognize that this form of government leads to a breakdown of accountability to the citizenry. Know, expose and withdraw from your local Council of Governments (COG). Can the COG! 2. Refuse local government receipt of federal or state money for new Sustainable Development programs because they breach the American system of federalism and raid the treasury. Withdraw from established Sustainable Development programs. 3. Avoid local government partnerships with the federal government, NGOs, foundations and corporations that advance the anti -liberty Sustainable Development agenda. Do not surrender your town or county to the insider privilege of Sustainable Developers and their monied interests. 4. Understand and enforce the role of public officials in your community to administer government in a manner that protects individual liberty and ensures equal justice. 5. Know and understand the Constitution, to which elected officials swore an oath with particular attention to Article 1, Section 8, the 9th and 10th Amendments, which address the limitations on federal power, and the 14th Amendment, which limits the states' police power. 6. Kick ICLEI out of your town and the regional COG organization. Neutralize all ICLEI infected law or "policy." Learn about your state's Misprision of Treason statute. See the ICLEI Primer and FAQs at: www.FreedomAdvocates.org. Visit the website for more information. 26— 27— From: Rebecca Melendez To: LPCtestimony;WPCtestimonv;cdoCabhawaii.aov; Planning General Plan;Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball. Heather; Kaaiwada.Jennifer;Onishi. Dennis; Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt;Galimba. Michelle M.; Inaba. Holeka; Hustace.James Subject: Fwd: How Smart Meters Communicate and The American Cancer Society"s Cancer Concerns with Smart Grids Date:Tuesday, March 11,2025 6:40:44 AM I spent ALL day yesterday researching what a Smart Grid and Broadband are, and I forgot to send this link with this email: https://www.emnify.com/bloQ/how-smart-meters-communicate: How do smart meters communicate? PLEASE VOTE UNFAVORABLE BECAUSE THIS WILL INCREASE ELECTRIC BILLS BY A LOT,BE UNHEALTHY FOR ALL OF US, GIVE FULL ELECTRICAL POWER OVER ALL OUR POWER TO THE ELECTRIC COMPANY,AND CAUSE SERIOUS TRAFFIC ISSUES DURING CONSTRUCTION THAT COULD TAKE YEARS. PLEASE READ THE PROOF OF ALL OF THIS IN MY EMAILS I'VE SENT YOU. Mahalo, Rebecca Melendez Forwarded message --------- From: Rebecca Melendez <bigislandtalk(j4gmai1.com> Date: Mon, Mar 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM Subject: How Smart Meters Communicate and The American Cancer Society's Cancer Concerns with Smart Grids To: <lbctestimony c hawaiicoun . ov>, <wbctestimony&hawaiicounty.uov>, cdpl4kawaii.gov>, <GeneralPlan(j4hawaiicounty goy>, Villegas, Rebecca rebecca.villegas(a4.hawaiicounty gov>, <heather,kimball(j4hawaii county,gov>, Kagiwada, Jennifer<jennifer.kagiwada(4hawaiicounty gov>, <dennis.onishi(i4hawaiicounty gov>, ashley.kierkiewicznhawaiicounty.g QV>, <matt.kaneal ii-kl einfel der&hawai i county. ov>, Galimba, Michelle M. <michelle.galimba.hawaii county,gov>, Inaba, Holeka holeka.inabaahawaiicounty gov>, <james.hustace(g4hawaiicounly.gov> Aloha, Please Vote Unfavorable for Smart Grid and Broadband New Smart Grid Researched Information: How do smart meters communicate? For example, smart meters don't always transmit directly to the cloud. They typically transmit data to a local smart meter gateway, which aggregates data from all meters in an area and then forwards it to the cloud, where providers and customers can access it through a platform. Note: Both components are often indoors and sometimes underground, so they need communication solutions that can penetrate buildings and obstructions." And they need to penetrate our bodies as well. How many sensors will be needed, millions? https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/8/2187 Under Abstract: Sensors for monitoring electrical parameters over an entire electricity network infrastructure play a fundamental role in protecting smart grids..." a new smart sensor is developed that offers the capability to update its adjustment settings during real-time operation, in coordination with the rest of the smart sensors spread over the network." From what I have read, Hawai'i Planning's 2045 General Plan doesn't explain broadband or a smart grid, and it doesn't include information on any health risk research. Links explaining smart grids, smart meters, and broadband health risks because they emit RFR (Radio Frequency Radiation) waves. It's not WiFi, it's a whole other kind of network. https://emfacademy.com/smart-meter-radiation/#aioseo-smart-meter-radiation-an- introduction: With 5G already being implemented in some test markets, and smart meters being forced on more and more homeowners, there has never been a better time to gain a complete understanding of exactly what smart meters are, what kind of radiation they emit, how much, and how we can protect ourselves. First of all, RF radiation is a type of non-ionizing radiation, meaning it does not have enough energy to remove charged particles. However, this does not mean it is not harmful. More and more studies are showing that just because non-ionizing radiation has no thermal effect or ionizing effect, does not mean it doesn't cause long-term health effects. In fact, the World Health Organization has specifically listed non-ionizing radiation from things like cell-phones, WiFi routers, and smart meters as "possible carcinogens," meaning they could increase cancer risks. Even the American Cancer Society, who like many health institutes shy's away from saying much about the harms of EMF radiation, said this in their article about smart meters: RF radiation is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." This is based on the finding of a possible link in at least one study between cell phone use and a specific type of brain tumor. Because RF radiation is a possible carcinogen, and smart meters give off RF radiation, it is possible that smart meters could increase cancer risk." https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/smart-meters.htm I: Concerns have been raised about the safety of smart meters, mainly because they give off the same kinds of radiofrequency (RF) waves as cell phones and Wi-Fi devices. Please Vote Unfavorable for Smart Grids and Broadband. Thank you, Sincerely, Rebecca Melendez