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Geeze Dan, I'm sneezy over here too! I think it's the albezias....April, I really like what you said about keeping Hawai'i uniquely Hawaiian, and I second your point that this is definitely an important time to act. I don't think our elected representatives will be moved to change things otherwise. Since a bulldozer can erase what took centuries to become in just one day, it's an incredibly important issue. Rob, thanks for the head's up about this meeting - I plan to attend and add my voice.
Aloha,
Mitzi
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design
uluhedesign@yahoo.com
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design
uluhedesign@yahoo.com
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quote:
Originally posted by Kapohocat
Think this through folks.
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 965-9261
"We help make building your dream home a reality"
I agree completely.
Think it over very carefully.
1. You are asking government to implement regulations that will deny use of private property above the established regulations and zoning. Consider very carefully what you have asked the government to do and what it means as far as the guidelines on taking. You may be paying for this financially for decades to come.
2. You are also asking government to go ahead and establish government controls over private property environmental issues above current requirements. What will be the next issue government feels they need to step in to correct?
3. Any new regulations will probably not change any existing regulations. It will be in addition to. But since the grading and any new clearing regulation will most likely go hand in hand, expect stricter enforcement of both regulations. Will you be able to adhere to the requirements or survive an inspector’s scrutiny?
4. You will be creating another layer of bureaucracy in government since the number of exemptions will have to be in the dozens - otherwise every planning meeting will be loaded with exemption request that no other business will get done.
I see several potential harmful impacts on the "
ordinary" property owner. I also see potential loopholes wide enough for a developer to drive a dozer/grader right trough. I wonder if this is more "feel good" versus practical.
And just to add, I read all the written stuff and it appears this is all aimed at "developers" and "speculators" but the proposals can't make such distinction. So once again, be very careful asking for something without the specifics of what you'll be getting.
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Testimony is due today.
Punaweb moderator
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Bob,
Yep, that is what is being considered, to amend the established regulations. That is the function of the government, of the people, for the people and this is the appropriate process.
Balance is paramount, Dan
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I think the issue here should be NATIVE forest and shrubbery. I have a friend down by the ocean with a lot that has a bunch of ironwoods on it. Nothing native about those.
Regulation should also consider MITIGATION......you can take down X if you mitigate by restoring Y. You can clear cut albezias, but you must plant a few ohia....
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It is truly sad that this kind of situation exists. I wish I could be a part of it.
Is there any way that those of us who are on the mainland can contribute our support in some way? Is there anything that will be going on in support of this cause in late July or early August?
I ask because during that time I will be there on my final research trip before our relocation gets underway and would like to lend my support.
Lenny
Lenny
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I could suggest that you consider joining Friends of Puna's Future. FoPF is set up to lobby for improvements in Puna and to support legislation such as the PCDP.
If you want more info email me directly with your address and contact info.
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Assume the best and ask questions.
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I think it's a scary that you are asking the government to step in and tell you what you can and can't do with YOUR property. Where does it all stop. Maybe they should tell you what color to paint your house too.
Most of what is being clear cut is invasive species except for the native ohias and I don't see them being in danger of being extinct. I know some people who clear cut there property and planted native trees. It looks so much better.
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The PCDP proposal contains language to create an office of Forestry who would be charged with mapping the county forest assets. There are forest lands would would be more or less affected by new regulations depending on their existing condition.
Most dramatically these regulations have been inspired by a San Diego developer who bought land in the Volcano rain forest and proceeded to destroy every square inch of forest they owned. This was done for little or no reason by an absentee developer who had no knowledge of the area. There was an outcry.
The regulations that we all operate under in society have all be created over time in reaction to abuses in the past.
Personally I think it appropriate and practical for property owners to be required to produce a grading plan prior to obtaining a building permit. Just turning the D9's loose with a wave of the hand is a poor way to introduce yourself to your new neighborhood.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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I see this as pie in the sky wishfull thinking that is totally impractical. My property for example is zoned ag 1. At the same time it is essentially fresh pahoehoe lava with a thin layer of dirt and vegetation on the top. The only way to "farm" this would be to rip the hell out of it and I mean all of it. Now I think that any line of reasoning that is logical will also be consistent. The first step in "preserving" this rainforest would therefor be to rezone it to whatever preservation land is zoned. Bye bye farming, residential yards, and a lot of other uses that average folks would have for it. Most importantly, I just don't see the rezoning happening. I also don't see where the resources would come from for the order of magnitude greater paperwork, bureaucracy, and enforcement, and I just can't see that we would benefit from such an increase in government.
It's not that I object to preserving the rainforest, but I find such an open ended, arbitrarily defined, and difficult to enforce proposal to be inconsistent with how useful law gets done.
To change the topic somewhat, this is also exactly the kind of attitude that gets local folks up in arms, where people who are primarily outsiders decide that the locals aren't doing things right and that this should be changed. This is not to say that all local traditions are right. They aren't. However, this proposal isn't right either.
