HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC-Malama O Puna 2014-63.2 support ltr
William P. Kenoi Duane Kanuha
Director
Mayor
Bobby Command
Deputy Director
County of Hawai‘i
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742
December 9, 2014
Mālama O Puna
P.O. Box 1520
Pahoa, HI 96778
Subject: Support of Mālama O Puna’s efforts to increase and broaden the penalties for grubbing and
grading without a permit.
Dear Mālama O Puna,
The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee supports the efforts of Mālama O Puna to
increase and broaden the penalties for grubbing and grading without a permit. We have noted that
Chapter 10 of the Hawai‘i County Code barely mentions or deals with this issue. The result is that
developers find it easier and cheaper to grub and grade first, and only if caught apply for a permit
retroactively. This procedure not only encourages disrespect for the rules, but also causes
archaeological, cultural and geological features to be lost, and also impacts native ecosystems and
critical habitat. In addition, it causes impacts such as noise, unsightliness and flooding problems for
the surrounding community. The reason to have a permit is to allow the County to set conditions that
will avoid negative impacts before they happen.
With Chapter 10 amended to create strong disincentives to illegal unpermitted grubbing and grading
the County’s stated goals of protecting the community and the ‘aina will be greatly enhanced.
Respectfully,
Patti Pinto, Chair
Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer