HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-11 WDFI Support TestimonyFrom:Pipanconsulting
To:Planning LPC Testimony
Cc:Kay, Christian
Subject:Waikoloa Green Support Letter from WDFI
Date:Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:52:31 AM
Attachments:WDFI LOS for Waikōloa Green.pdf
Please see attached support letter from the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative for LPC items #6
& 7 - Waikoloa Green LLC PL-SLU-2026-000016 and PL-REZ-2026-000096
Best,
John Pipan
President
Pipan Consulting LLC
Office:(808)333-3391
Cell:(808)430-1441
May 14, 2026
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative’s support for the proposed
development by Waikoloa Green LLC in Waikōloa Village. This development is planned for an
area adjacent to lands that our community has been working to conserve and restore for the
past twenty years. While development often conflicts with conservation, it is a reality we, as
protectors of the environment, must work with to ensure that the most sensitive areas are
preserved and that our community has access to the natural areas that define the places we
live. In this case, we believe that Waikōloa Green’s commitment to, and partnership in,
maintaining open space within the proposed development area will positively impact
conservation and community access, which we support wholeheartedly.
Waikōloa Green has been a proactive land steward, supporting our efforts to create and
maintain fire fuel breaks to mitigate wildfire threats across the landscape. They recognize that
partnering with experienced land managers will benefit their development while also
protecting the wider community and native dryland forest habitat.
Waikoloa Green has also made good-faith efforts to support our conservation and community
education work and intends to protect a large portion of its land area, approximately 111 acres,
through a perpetual conservation easement with the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative. This
conservation easement will ensure that the natural landscape, including portions of
ʻAuwaikeakua stream, is protected from development in perpetuity.
Waikoloa Green’s approach to development in Waikōloa is forward-thinking and demonstrates
a commitment to the community that we haven’t experienced with other developers. We are
encouraged by their vision for the neighborhood they intend to create and by the long-term
impacts their partnership will have on the community and our natural areas.
We support the advancement of this project and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jen Lawson
Executive Director
WAIKŌLOA DRY FOREST INITATIVE
65-1227 OPELO ROAD A9 KAMUELA, HI 96743 | (808) 494-2208 | WDFI@WAIKOLOADRYFOREST.ORG