Letters for Saturday, May 1, 2010
• No residential zoning in Waimea flood plain
I have lived on Maile Road for 20 years. Here in Waimea, on Menehune Road, adjacent to Ching Park and my back yard, is a property once filled with trees and birds. Home to kiawe and a variety of birds including pueo.
In 2006 this Open District land was back-hoed barren by its three-generation owners who live off island. I still grieve the loss of this beauty. The owners of this lot (TMK: (4)-1-6-05:18) sought to amend the zoning in 2006 to R6. Meeting with great neighbor and county resident opposition (a petition of 130 names and concerned-public testimony) Ahko Inc. withdrew their request to amend the zoning. As an “O” zoned property (open district), the owners built a single dwelling last year on this now-cleared land which they rent to one tenant and the weed-filled portion to someone with horses.
On Wednesday May 5, Ahko Inc.’s attorney will appear before the (Kaua‘i County Council) Planning Committee to again petition to amend this “0” zoning to R4, Bill No. 2350. Now I am concerned about the repercussions for everyone and everything around this property, if this critical flood plain is lost forever.
The property is zoned open district for a very good reason. Bordered by Keali‘i Ditch and sitting on former rice farms, it has always been a place for waters to rise and recede. When heavy rains and back flow from Waimea River during high tides and ocean swells cause the ditch to overflow, its soil (and once vegetation) is an essential “green space” to ameliorate flooding of all surrounding properties.
Moreover, according to the county wastewater department, Keali‘i Ditch is a protected waterway under the Federal Clean Water Act because it discharges into the Waimea River which discharges into the ocean.
Before any zoning is amended or permit is issued a watershed-engineering analysis of the area must be done. A watershed plan must be created and adhered to for the health and safety of the land and people.
What to do with these flood waters is currently addressed as a crisis without a preventative watershed plan in place. The Keali‘i Ditch has had trees chopped from its banks, weeds sprayed with Round-Up and back-hoes dredging it, possibly without the necessary state permits.
This is no way to treat a waterway that should be maintained as a functioning watershed. Residents such as myself have to call the police to dredge open the Waimea river mouth when the ditch backs up onto the roads and into our yards.
Not long ago, a back-hoe was sent to dredge the ditch, causing severe erosion of my property. These are crisis responses that do harm; we need to act preventively in caring for these green spaces.
We must heed our “General Plan” which states that Waimea remain rural.
Adding housing, condos, concrete, asphalt, sidewalks, driveways and the like that come with R4 zoning in such a watershed/green space would be a grave mistake for our neighborhood, making a problem we already have a much larger one.
Julia McGovern
Waimea
Daniells are model citizens
The meek shall inherit the Earth.
I would like to briefly comment on Tuesday’s front-page story on the Mark Daniells’ art gallery in Hanalei. Through their actions, the Hanalei Ha‘ena Planning Commission (Hanalei to Ha‘ena Community Association) have shown that they no longer understand the true values, goals and aspirations of our community. After several decades, they are suddenly thinking the worst of a family who illuminate the lives of all who know them.
What I find most disturbing in their actions is the implication that somehow the Daniells’ property is a detriment, (or could pose a detriment) to Hanalei School. My daughter attends that school (as she attended Diane’s preschool) and the Daniells’ contributions to that school are too many to report, too many even to count.
I have never attended a fundraising function to which Mr. Daniells has not contributed art. In addition, children pass the property daily, thereby seeing the incredibly beautiful art gracing the walls, the impact of which is powerful beyond imagining.
These are people whose strength of character is so strong, they literally shine with honesty and openness. I watched the hearing on television and the Daniells freely answered all questions asked.
By contrast, the Hanalei planning representative was there and could have brought up the issue, if it had been a concern. The hypocrisy of complaining afterwards, considering the huge number of Hanalei homes used in vacation rental is incredible.
We are extraordinarily dependent on each other on this tiny isle. Let’s not harm a family of unsung heroes.
Cheryl Swanson
Princeville
Perpetuated in righteousness
We live under this beautiful proclamation: “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” It is our state motto. It means the vigor, liveliness and well-being of our island is continued by those of us living here being careful to do that which is right. Our actions make a difference. Be a blessing. Live your convictions.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. God honors that.
Jody Heller
• No residential zoning in Waimea flood plain • Daniells are model citizens • Perpetuated in righteousness
No residential zoning in Waimea flood plain
I have lived on Maile Road for 20 years. Here in Waimea, on Menehune Road, adjacent to Ching Park and my back yard, is a property once filled with trees and birds. Home to kiawe and a variety of birds including pueo.
In 2006 this Open District land was back-hoed barren by its three-generation owners who live off island. I still grieve the loss of this beauty. The owners of this lot (TMK: (4)-1-6-05:18) sought to amend the zoning in 2006 to R6. Meeting with great neighbor and county resident opposition (a petition of 130 names and concerned-public testimony) Ahko Inc. withdrew their request to amend the zoning. As an “O” zoned property (open district), the owners built a single dwelling last year on this now-cleared land which they rent to one tenant and the weed-filled portion to someone with horses.
On Wednesday May 5, Ahko Inc.’s attorney will appear before the (Kaua‘i County Council) Planning Committee to again petition to amend this “0” zoning to R4, Bill No. 2350. Now I am concerned about the repercussions for everyone and everything around this property, if this critical flood plain is lost forever.
The property is zoned open district for a very good reason. Bordered by Keali‘i Ditch and sitting on former rice farms, it has always been a place for waters to rise and recede. When heavy rains and back flow from Waimea River during high tides and ocean swells cause the ditch to overflow, its soil (and once vegetation) is an essential “green space” to ameliorate flooding of all surrounding properties.
Moreover, according to the county wastewater department, Keali‘i Ditch is a protected waterway under the Federal Clean Water Act because it discharges into the Waimea River which discharges into the ocean.
Before any zoning is amended or permit is issued a watershed-engineering analysis of the area must be done. A watershed plan must be created and adhered to for the health and safety of the land and people.
What to do with these flood waters is currently addressed as a crisis without a preventative watershed plan in place. The Keali‘i Ditch has had trees chopped from its banks, weeds sprayed with Round-Up and back-hoes dredging it, possibly without the necessary state permits.
This is no way to treat a waterway that should be maintained as a functioning watershed. Residents such as myself have to call the police to dredge open the Waimea river mouth when the ditch backs up onto the roads and into our yards.
Not long ago, a back-hoe was sent to dredge the ditch, causing severe erosion of my property. These are crisis responses that do harm; we need to act preventively in caring for these green spaces.
We must heed our “General Plan” which states that Waimea remain rural.
Adding housing, condos, concrete, asphalt, sidewalks, driveways and the like that come with R4 zoning in such a watershed/green space would be a grave mistake for our neighborhood, making a problem we already have a much larger one.
Julia McGovern, Waimea
Daniells are model citizens
The meek shall inherit the Earth.
I would like to briefly comment on Tuesday’s front-page story on the Mark Daniells’ art gallery in Hanalei. Through their actions, the Hanalei Ha‘ena Planning Commission (Hanalei to Ha‘ena Community Association) have shown that they no longer understand the true values, goals and aspirations of our community. After several decades, they are suddenly thinking the worst of a family who illuminate the lives of all who know them.
What I find most disturbing in their actions is the implication that somehow the Daniells’ property is a detriment, (or could pose a detriment) to Hanalei School. My daughter attends that school (as she attended Diane’s preschool) and the Daniells’ contributions to that school are too many to report, too many even to count.
I have never attended a fundraising function to which Mr. Daniells has not contributed art. In addition, children pass the property daily, thereby seeing the incredibly beautiful art gracing the walls, the impact of which is powerful beyond imagining.
These are people whose strength of character is so strong, they literally shine with honesty and openness. I watched the hearing on television and the Daniells freely answered all questions asked.
By contrast, the Hanalei planning representative was there and could have brought up the issue, if it had been a concern. The hypocrisy of complaining afterwards, considering the huge number of Hanalei homes used in vacation rental is incredible.
We are extraordinarily dependent on each other on this tiny isle. Let’s not harm a family of unsung heroes.
Cheryl Swanson, Princeville
Perpetuated in righteousness
We live under this beautiful proclamation: “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” It is our state motto. It means the vigor, liveliness and well-being of our island is continued by those of us living here being careful to do that which is right. Our actions make a difference. Be a blessing. Live your convictions.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. God honors that.
Jody Heller, Lihu‘e
