HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-21 Christine Inserra Opposition TestimonyFrom: Christine Inserra
To: Planning WPC Testimony
Subject: Oppose festivals on Ag land
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 10:00:15 AM
Aloha Kakou ,
Aloha, I am writing in strong opposition to the special
permit application by Teppy Mountain LLC (PL-SPP-2024-000075) to host an annual
multi-day festival on agricultural land in Papaikou.
Agricultural land in Hawaii is a limited and precious resource. Approving this permit would
set a dangerous precedent for the conversion of ag land across Hawaii Island.
The applicant has already held this event
several times without a permit, accumulated over $34,000 in fines, and is currently
appealing those fines while simultaneously seeking this permit. This pattern of disregard
for county rules does not inspire confidence that permit conditions will be respected going
forward.
I also urge the commission to scrutinize the application’s designation of only 14.7 acres for
festival use on a 1,400-acre property. This appears designed specifically to stay just
under the 15-acre threshold for a higher level of review, and does not reflect the true scale
and impact of this proposal.
Our rural communities, our farming families, and our agricultural lands deserve protection. I
respectfully urge the commission to deny this application.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Christine Inserra 808 938 5397
Ka’ū