HomeMy WebLinkAboutHFIA Comments on the Hamakua CDP June 15, 2016���Zndust� HAWAII FOREST INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (HFIA)
P. O. Box 66 'O'okala, HI 96774
Phone: 808-933-9411
Cd Email: hfia@hawaiiforest.org
Website: www.hawaiiforest.org
June 15, 2016
Hamakua Community Development Plan Steering Committee
Re: Comments on Draft Hamakua Development Plan
Aloha Steering Committee members,
We would like to thank each one of you for the time and effort that you have dedicated to this process. We
fully realize that this effort involves tradeoffs; it is not easy to balance the needs of the community with those
of private individuals and entities that form part of it.
Comment 1:
We are particularly encouraged by the policy intent to: (pg. 92, section 6.2.2)
"Encourage and support the expansion of
agriculture, including forestry and the
macadamia nut industry. (GP 14.2.4.7.2) Support
the development of a native hardwood industry.
(GP 2.4.3.2 (c)); see also (GP 2.4.4.2 (e))."
Our Association supports all types of healthy productive forests and related forest industry, both native and
non-native. We would like to suggest the following, more broad statement, by removing the word "native":
"Encourage and support the expansion of
agriculture, including forestry and the
macadamia nut industry. (GP 14.2.4.7.2) Support
the development of a hardwood industry.
(GP 2.4.3.2 (c)); see also (GP 2.4.4.2 (e))."
Comment 2:
In another section, our association is concerned about the language in another section, which would appear to
contradict the first.
"Community Action 6: Educate residents on scenic
viewshed importance and alternatives to tall,
vegetative wind -breaks that impact viewsheds."
We appreciate the desires to keep the Hamakua coast attractive for residents and visitors alike. However, we
encourage you to consider that trees and other tall stature vegetation are indeed part of the viewshed in
Hamakua, and far from detracting from it, add to the scenic qualities of this windward, moist and verdant
coast.
Trees, windbreaks and forests impart well known environmental benefits, such as soil stabilization, protection
from high winds, and carbon sequestration. In Hawaii, trees have been planted for specific purposes, as fruit
trees, to provide timber products, and to protect from drying and salt laden winds, among others. These are
important purposes from those who live here, otherwise the trees would not have been planted to begin with.
With this in mind, we ask that you consider revising the statement to read:
"Community Action 6: Educate residents on scenic
viewshed importance, reducing impacts to it as much
as possible."
About HFIA:
The Hawaii Forest Industry Association (HFIA) is a statewide nonprofit corporation established in Hawaii in
1989 to promote healthy and productive forests and a sustainable forest industry through forest
management, education, planning, information exchange, and advocacy
HFIA has over 250 members, including professional foresters, millers, harvesters, growers, educators, retailers,
manufacturers, wholesalers, governments, nonprofits, horticulturists, and others interested in HFIA's mission
of healthy and productive forests.
I thank you for your consideration of these comments, and look forward to a Hamakua Community
Development Plan that encourages forestry, as well as other land uses.
Mahalo,
Nicholas Koch, HFIA President
P.O. Box 66
'O'okala, HI 96774
Phone: 808-933-9411
Email: hfiaCcDhawaiiforest.org
P.O. Box 66 • `O`okala, HI 96774 • Phone: 808-933-9411 • Email: hfi&hawaiiforest.ore • Web: www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org