Letters for Monday, February 12, 2007

• Give up? It’s not over yet

• We been had again?

• Police report never concluded

• Tom’s two sides

I want to say “bravo” to the 240 Kauaians who testified against the proposed 550-unit developments that will pour more than 1,000 cars into the already congested Kapa‘a/Wailua corridor as well as clog up beaches and parks. I was impressed with the clarity and strength of all the written testimony that our residents sent and emailed to the Planning Commission during the last week of August 2006.

Although our voices are united, it seems that no one is listening, especially the Planning Commission. Despite the huge public outcry opposing the two proposed Waipouli resorts, Coconut Beach and Coconut Plantation, known as “Coconuts,” the Planning Commission approved the project on Jan. 23.

But don’t despair; it’s not over until it’s over.

An unexpected situation has arisen.

First, I want to name names in relation to the scenario played out at the Jan. 23 meeting. “Mahalo” to the three Planning Commissioners: Steven Weinstein, Stewart Hollinger, and Lawrence Chaffin Jr. who voted against the two “Coconuts” projects. Weinstein said that he could not ignore the overwhelming public testimony opposing the projects and that it is simply “not the right timing (now).”

Sadly, Imai Kalani Aiu, Sandi Kato-Klutke, Randal Nishimura and Theodore Daligdig III, voted “yes” with the condition that the plan be modified later by them in the “design review process.” It seems odd that Kato-Klutke voted “yes” after she stated that the projects are “very massive and it blows me away, like going to New York.” I am even more disappointed with Aiu’s “yes” vote since he and Hollinger are the two “environmental” representatives on the Planning Commission. But don’t give up on the commissioners — not yet.

Another Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Feb. 13.

We can ask the commissioners for reconsideration or a re-vote on project approval based on the latest bold attempt by the developers to do away with the “design review process.” They are audaciously requesting that the commissioners modify or delete the “conditions of approval” and omit the “design review” by the Planning Commission. In other words, they want to keep the two “Coconuts” as massive projects and don’t want the Planning Commission messing around with their profits, oops — I mean plans. They want approval without size restrictions.

The $5.4 million offered by the developers to construct more roads is only a Band-Aid. There is more than traffic congestion at stake. The fact that the developers want to proceed unchecked with as high density as possible is reason enough for the commissioners to change their original vote of approval and totally deny both projects.

Request that they stop, or substantially scale back these monster developments. 

Please remember, resort zoning does not guarantee a building permit. Developers do not have entitlement to construct something that becomes a burden for residents. Here’s what we can do.

Ask the commissioners to reconsider their “yes” vote. Ask them to request a re-vote on the final approval for the “Coconuts” projects. Let them know that these resorts are totally inappropriate for Kaua‘i at this time.

Send in faxes, e-mails (too late for letters) with your address and phone number by today, Feb. 12, to Mike Laureta for the Planning Commission.

Fax: 241-6699  

E-mail: mlaureta@kauai.gov

Even better, bring letters to the Planning Commission meeting, beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, room No. 2A-B at the opposite end of breezeway from the Motor Vehicles Department in the county complex. Look for me (tall, orange shirt).

Bottom line: Demand that the commissioners listen to us.

We are speaking loud and clear. Deny the “Coconuts” projects.

Kapa‘a

We been had again?

Yo, Kimo, let’s get together and build a fleet of outriggers. We could build, say, 40 at the cost of, say, $10,000 each. Let’s just launch them from all the Outer Islands and really give the tourists a good ride.

No need build them big enough to transport cars.

No need to haul anything but tourist and family. See, Kimo, I think that maybe this Superferry thing is just getting a little out of hand.

It is nice that we had a hearing here but really do you think the goverment who loaned the ship builders and investers money will let it fail. The ferry was being built and almost completed before any of us even heard anything about it.

Hmmm … let’s see if some company going to profit again from these beautiful islands. Kimo, you think we been had again?

Kimo, you think maybe money is more important than say the safety of our environment?

Kimo, I think greed is bad for the enviroment; without it there would be no Superferry.

Kalaheo

Police report never concluded

We can relate to James Quine’s letter in the Feb. 3 edition of The Garden Island. On the Fourth of July 2006 my grandson was knocked out from behind by the forearm of another 14 to 15 year old boy in the Dry Cave at Ha‘ena Beach Park.

A police report was made at Wilcox Memorial Hospital where my grandson was diagnosed with a concussion (he kept asking the same things over and over).

After several months of trying for a conclusion to the police report/complaint, my daughter finally gave up. We have never heard a word from the police.

Princeville

Tom’s two sides

I would like to say I appreciated Tom Iannucci’s Guest Viewpoint, “Humane or insane society,” Forum, Feb. 9.

I, in my humble opinion, believe he presented a very fair and balanced approach. He shared how we all need to wait until all the facts come out before the hanging takes place. He simply asked we consider the whole story and not one side. Mahalo, Tom for bringing some thoughtful insight to light.

Lihu‘e