Testimony needed Wednesday to stop Hokua Place development
Please testify Wednesday, Dec. 13, 8:30 a.m. at the County Council meeting at Council Chambers in the historic County Building, Lihue (3-minute talking limit).
The General Plan Update is winding down and it looks like Hokua Place will be approved by the County Council if we don’t act quickly.
Tragically, the Planning Commission moved the zoning from agriculture upward to allow Hokua Place to build 780 dwellings behind the Kapaa Middle School, and the County Council may keep it there. It’s necessary to speak up now, before it’s too late.
Talking points:
1. Horrendous Kapaa traffic now will become unbearable with at least 1,300 additional cars from Hokua Place and another 1,500 from the three already permitted resorts in the Wailua Corridor (Coco Palms and two behind Longs). The DOT future plan for new roads is not adequate.
2. About 550 of Hokua Place dwellings aren’t affordable with selling prices in the $400,000 to $900,00 range. Kauai needs truly affordable housing for residents, rather than subdivisions which will attract Mainlanders who can afford those high prices.
3. Food security/sustainability: No up-zoning of agriculture land should be allowed. Kauai now imports about 90 percent of our food. We need to keep agriculture land zoned to grow food for our residents and visitors. And we need to follow the CZO directives and keep agriculture in agriculture.
4. Kauai has reached a tipping point. Without adequate infrastructure — water, roads, landfill and sewage facilities — Kauai can’t support more population or tourism growth.
Spread the word of this public hearing far and wide: Facebook, email, phone, etc. We need a big crowd to testify against up-zoning agriculture land for Hokua Place. Please bring seven copies of testimony to turn in to the council with your name and town.
Gabriela Taylor, Kapaa
