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From: Kathy Johnson <br /> To: WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv;Council Testimony; Kimball. Heather; Kaaiwada.Jennifer;Onishi. Dennis; <br /> Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder. Matt;Villeaas. Rebecca;Galimba. Michelle M.; Inaba. Holeka <br /> Cc: Inaba.Holeka; Hustace.James;cohmavoolhawaiicountv.00v <br /> Subject: Opposition to General Plan 2045 <br /> Date: Friday,February 14,2025 10:27:22 AM <br /> Good Morning, <br /> Thank you for taking the time to read our concerns regarding General Plan <br /> 2045. <br /> Our family currently resides and owns property in Hilo and Papaikou. I have <br /> worked for a family with agriculture farming in Papaikou for the past 10 years <br /> and we absolutely made the right decision to live here and raise our family <br /> here. We love everything about living here and feel blessed to be part of our <br /> community and hope that we can someday be able to pass our home on to our <br /> family. We are very concerned and oppose many of the proposed changes in <br /> the General Plan 2045 being considered. There are many flaws in this plan <br /> that I believe will negatively impact both our community and our family <br /> directly. We are very concerned about water rights- this should not be <br /> privatized— everyone should have access to water without paying for it from a <br /> private source. We are also worried about what this plan could allow and the <br /> possible effects proposed would have on our ownership and use of our existing <br /> land. <br /> I work for a family who owns land that they actively farm for over 20 years, <br /> they harvest the land responsibly, provides revenue for our County, <br /> employment for so many, including myself, and preservation of the beautiful ag <br /> land we enjoy on the Big Island. The owner has always told me how special <br /> this place is, it is a safe place where you can live off the land and resources we <br /> have from farm to sea- but you have to give back to the land and community <br /> and not just take. What will happen if the proposed restrictions on land use, <br /> property rights and zoning negatively impacts agriculture on this island or for <br /> our neighbors? There is so much packed into this general plan and it lacks <br /> feasibility, overestimates resource availability and places undue burdens and <br /> risks on taxpayers and rural communities. <br /> We respectfully request that you oppose the current General Plan 2045 as it is <br /> currently written. Focus on resolving what is currently broken, ensuring roads, <br /> utilities and housing affordability are being addressed before adding expensive, <br />