PLDC and Kokee

SOURCE: Ken Taylor (taylork021@hawaii.rr.com)
SUBHEAD: The subject of land use in Kokee is already of interest to the PLDC and its governing .

By Robert Harris on 10 December 1012 in Island Breath -
(http://islandbreath.blogspot.com/2012/12/pldc-and-kokee.html)


Image above: Waipoo Falls in Kokee State Park on Kauai, Hawaii. From (http://www.tourhawaiiactivities.com/info/kokee.html).

A quick alert.  BLNR has the following set on their agenda on Friday. 12/14/12 at 9:00 a.m.
[IB Editor's note: We believe this meeting is in Kalanimoku Building at1151 Punchbowl Street,
Honolulu, HI 96813.]  

Presentation by the Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC) regarding the Land Optimization Plan and a Request for the Board to Adopt a Policy Restricting the Transfer of Certain Lands to the PLDC in Fee Simple, within the Conservation District, or within Kokee State Park

The staff is proposing to protect "lands in the conservation district within the protective, limited or resource subzones, except upon express waiver by the Board where the proposed project is either intended to protect natural resources or to create a great benefit for the general public" from the PLDC.  It also eliminates lands within Kokee State Park for the development of a hotel. You can see the staff proposal at:

http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/chair/meeting/submittals/121214/D-Land-Submittals-D19.pdf

I believe this is a very small step in the right direction, but does not go far enough. It fails to include lands in the general subzone (which are still "conservation" land and should be entitled to protection from rampant development). More importantly, it allows other conservation lands to be used if it "creates a great benefit for the general public."  This is way too subjective and completely eliminates the 8 criteria found in 13-5-30(c) (see below).

Testimony can be submitted at: adaline.f.cummings@hawaii.gov.  Or you can attend the hearing!

     (1)  The proposed land use is consistent with the

          purpose of the conservation district;

     (2)  The proposed land use is consistent with the

          objectives of the subzone of the land on

          which the use will occur;

     (3)  The proposed land use complies with

          provisions and guidelines contained in

          chapter 205A, HRS, entitled "Coastal Zone

          Management," where applicable;

     (4)  The proposed land use will not cause

          substantial adverse impact to existing

          natural resources within the surrounding

          area, community or region;

     (5)  The proposed land use, including buildings,

          structures and facilities, shall be

          compatible with the locality and surrounding

          areas, appropriate to the physical conditions

          and capabilities of the specific parcel or

          parcels;

     (6)  The existing physical and environmental

          aspects of the land, such as natural beauty

          and open space characteristics, will be

          preserved or improved upon, whichever is

          applicable;

     (7)  Subdivision of land will not be utilized to

          increase the intensity of land uses in the

          conservation district; and

     (8)  The proposed land use will not be materially

          detrimental to the public health, safety and

          welfare.

.