HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-18 Letter to Kaialii Kahele and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran HB 1219, HD1 Relating to Public Lands
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 18, 2019
Senator Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chair
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Water and Land
Dear Chair Kahele, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 1219, HD1 Proposed SD1 Relating to Public Lands
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on a proposed amended version of HB 1219, HD1, as it
would impact the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
Simply stated, we support any legislation that will help the revitalization of Banyan Drive and the rest of
the Waiakea Peninsula. Virtually everyone familiar with this area agrees that it is underutilized and in disrepair.
It is the center of tourism in East Hawaiʻi, but it is a jewel that is quite tarnished at the present time.
Hawaiʻi County has taken first steps toward revitalizing the peninsula. The administration, Council,
community, and Big Island legislators have found common purpose; the redevelopment area has been defined;
the Banyan Drive Hawaiʻi Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA) is functioning, and a conceptual master plan has
been created as a starting point. Now funds are needed to conduct the environmental impact statements
necessary to complete the redevelopment plan and move forward.
The Hawaiʻi County budget is severely strapped, and I have already had to impose increases in our
property, fuel, and vehicle weight taxes. Therefore, I am hoping the State will provide funds for the EIS. We
believe that it is just and proper to ask the State to share in the EIS expense, given that the peninsula consists
almost entirely of State land.
Although there may be paths forward, other than this bill, which build on work already done, we do not
want to risk having this Legislature take no action at all. Therefore, we will support any measure that directs
resources, both statutorily and financially, toward the redevelopment of Banyan Drive while providing some
local perspective in decision-making.
We suggest that the proposed amended version of HB 1219, HD1 be improved with the following
additional amendments (which are geared to the proposed Waiakea district specifically, but which should
perhaps apply to all districts created in the future, except for item #3):
(1) Provide that the makeup of the committee include appointees by the Mayor (perhaps two or
more);
(2) Provide that district-specific cultural/historical expertise be included in the makeup of the
committee;
March 18, 2019
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County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
(3) Provide that the new committee coordinate with BDHRA, which was established under HRS,
Chapter 53. The work of the two organizations should be compatible and complementary. In fact, it would be
best if, like the BDHRA, the committee’s actions were subject to Windward Planning Commission review, and
Hawaiʻi County Council adoption of the redevelopment plan;
(4) Provide that all meetings of the committee be in or near the district, and open to the public;
(5) Authorize and require that the district or the committee adopt rules; and
(6) Provide that public hearings be held at least annually during the life of the project.
I hope you will act favorably on the proposed amended version of HB 1219, and move it along for
further discussion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR