HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-44 David Testimony re SPACECommunication No. 2013 -44
From: Michele [mailto:micheledavid7l @gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 12:19 AM
To: (brown @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: My testimony in favor of SPACE
Aloha PCDP Action Committee Members, My name is Michele David. I am currently a graduate
student studying sustainable development through Hawaii Pacific University. I am also the
treasurer of KAPONO, a board member of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance and the
intern for the Pahoa Regional Town Planning Committee. I have been renting a home directly
across the street from SPACE for almost a year. I have another year lease starting September
1st. I also have expressed interest to the out of state owners that I would like to purchase the
home, or I will be seeking to buy a home adjacent or near to SPACE. I specifically sought to live
near SPACE and I pay a premium to do so. My property manager and a local realtor (whom has
a booth at SPACE) both assert that homes near SPACE hold greater value.
My 13 year old son and I have flourished this past year due to the community of friends we have
found through the diverse activities at SPACE. My only complaint is that there are not more
activities and events to stimulate further community relationships. My son attended the Kula
Kalapana school held at SPACE. It was wonderful to be able to just send him across the street to
school, and even more so for him to be able to attend after - school performing arts classes there.
He has been somewhat introverted and not very athletic, but now because of the classes at
SPACE he has greater self - confidence and comfort from being part of a performing arts
community group. I also frequently vend at the farmers market and I do the majority of my
weekly food shopping there. SPACE market is the highlight of our week. We love hearing our
community in action - nourishing themselves with food and fun, and for the local vendors to earn
their livelihood. It is very disconcerting that this committee is considering not supporting
SPACE's special permit application. I feel that it is a direct attack on me, my son, my friends,
and the larger community that loves SPACE.
The KAPONO survey is overall favorable to SPACE -the question regarding services that are
desired and the question regarding a neighborhood village center have a lot of positive comments
about SPACE already providing necessary community services.
There is also not one negative comment regarding SPACE when the survey asked for open
commentary regarding improvements needed to the KAPONO area. I am home (across the road
from SPACE) most of the day and every evening studying and I have not been disturbed one bit
by the activities there. I also feel that it is absurd that the proposed letter states that SPACE
does not fit in the CDP village center profile when this area does not even have 3,000 residents.
However, this area is growing and what SPACE provides is actually what they are looking for:
an embryonic version of a village center located in a conforming sub - division (See chapter 5.2.2
and table 5 -1 In the Puna CDP). Maybe when Seaview is built out, then there will enough people
to qualify for a village center, but for now SPACE is part of 3 centers serving this area: SPACE,
KALANI, and Uncle Robert's. If these 3 were not functioning, then the whole KAPONO area
would be lacking in community services even more than it is, thus we need SPACE to fulfill the
needs of our small but growing village!
Communication No. 2013 -44
The few negative NIMBY's just need to deal with that fact and be in deep gratitude that their
lives led them here and not somewhere with real traffic and noise issues. Also, Seaview is the
largest subdivision along the red -road and SPACE is within walking and biking distance from
everywhere within Seaview, Puna Pallisades, and Kehena (the most populated red -road areas).
Any sustainability oriented person, and any government agency which is adopting LEED
standards (of which the Puna CDP states it is) would also agree to the importance of an easily
accessible multi - purpose community oriented space. Please revise your letter to support
SPACE's special permit application in accordance with the broader community's desires.
Thank you for taking the time to read my testimony.
With Aloha,
Michele David