We, the property owners of Waiono Meadows, a small agricultural community in North Kona, petition the Leeward Planning Commission to deny approval of the Special Use Permit (SUP) application (SPP-21-000222) submitted by Douglas and Kathryn Hickey of Sunshower Farms LLC. The Hickey’s are, again, requesting a special permit to operate a venue for numerous large and small-scale weddings and other events, along with the construction of an events pavilion on their 20-acre CPR, agriculture-zoned parcel (TMK #7-6-002: 028-0001). It is important to note that their proposed map of their intended pavilion is inaccurate and incomplete. It is not a professional survey map with flood channels annotated. In fact, it is believed there has never been a survey conducted of the flood channels up here.
As you’ll recall, the Hickey’s withdrew their first SUP application back in October 2020 after the Leeward Planning Commission deferred their decision during a hearing held on September 21, 2020. Prior to that hearing, the county Planning Department had recommended in their “PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT; CONCLUSIONS OF LAW; AND DECISION AND ORDER” document that “the proposed use is not unusual and reasonable and and does not promote the objectives of Chapter 205 HRS. Thus, Special Permit Application No. 20-000218 is hereby DENIED.”
Information contained within this second application indicates the Hickey’s are now proposing to build a slightly smaller-in-size events pavilion. They have provided very specific numbers on the maximum number of annual events and maximum number of attendees per event. This, while knowing it would be nearly impossible to monitor these promised specifics without someone out there counting cars and bodies and keeping track of the number of events they’ve hosted. They have also offered some modifications to Waiono Ranch Road. In their application, they present a strong case for the economic benefit not only to the vendors of their business but also to the county via a detailed income analysis from increased tourism to Kona and the Big Island, in general. It is important to note that of the dozens of letters of support the Hickey’s have attached to their SUP, it is believed only one of those persons own property up here. It is believed nearly all the others are people/vendors who could potentially benefit from the proposed wedding and events venue e.g. caterers, florists, bakers, musicians, hair stylists.
As a reminder, property owners and farm workers alike can only access their farms and properties using this single-lane Waiono Ranch Road. We are more than familiar with hazards of our narrow, substandard farm road and the numerous blind spots, potholes, steep grades, and flooding issues that already affect the safety of drivers, passengers, and livestock. With no Homeowner Association, there is no road maintenance agreement in place. This, in addition to other safety and liability issues that include historic flooding events in Holualoa, is cause for major concern among property owners. Flooding of the road often occurs several times a year; this, too, significantly damages the road and jeopardizes the health and safety of those navigating it.
The on-line ePetition sent out to everyone back in September 2020 (in opposition to SUP application #1) was signed by nearly every owner of property accessing Waiono Ranch Road. We felt very encouraged by that. The substandard road remains a huge concern for us. It is believed the Hickey’s proposed modifications to the road is not enough to turn our substandard, dangerous road into one that should be considered safe and up-to-par. In terms of impact to surrounding properties and all of us who utilize Waiono Ranch Road, the substantial increase in vehicles — hypothetically occurring multiple days/evenings a week year-round - WILL adversely affect us. Should the County approve the Hickey’s SUP application, each of us property owners may very well be opened-up to potential liability related to the Hickey’s commercial wedding party/other events business by inebriated or otherwise-careless party attendees. The County of Hawaii may, also, be a potential target of a lawsuit.
It is important to note that Waiono Ranch Road is, itself, a separately-owned parcel. It is designated as Lot #11, and owned by “Golden Bay LLC.” It has been confirmed with the owners of this parcel that they never been personally contacted, consulted, or notified of the Hickey’s pending SUP application and proposed modification of the road. The law requires the Hickey’s to notify all owners of property within 500 feet of their property.
We, the property owners and neighbors to Kate and Doug Hickey, strongly oppose this Special Use Permit for weddings and other events, and urge the Leeward Planning Commission to immediately DENY this application. It is our hope the Commission will join us in protecting our Ag-zoned properties. We invite you to personally take a drive and view the road; we feel confident you will then understand our concerns and why we feel so strongly about it.
We respectfully ask for your careful consideration of our concerns.
Mahalo Nui Loa.
31 Comments
We all knew what the zoning was when we bought our property in Waiono Ranch. It the County were to grant this SUP, it would set a very bad precedent. And for the Hickey’s to say it would not have any negative impact on the neighboring lots would be ridiculous and untrue. “How could it not”, I was told by a local attorney.
Our family has had two head on accidents on this dangerous road and feel strongly apposed to an increase of traffic from a Wedding venue with drivers unfamiliar with the conditions here.
I believe the Waiono Road is too narrow to accommodate Weddings and inebriated drivers. Theshoulders simply do not allow for safe passage of two cars without one car pulling onto the wet, muddy unimproved shoulder. Plus, the liability for the road is shared by all Waiono Ranch owners and it seems patently unfair that they should have take liability for a neighbor's business. The roadway is a separate lot and I do not believe the owner of the roadway has even been notified.
As a partial owner of property mauka of the subject parcel and dependent on the use of Waiono Ranch Road (Lot 11) for access to our cattle ranch operation, I strongly oppose this SUP application. This single lane road with farm and ranch traffic is adequate FOR THAT PURPOSE but totally inadequate for the kinds of traffic and use contemplated by the applicant. I urge the DENIAL of this application which, if approve, would create potential hazards and unenforcable conditions to the detriment of all property owners served by this access driveway.
As the first farm at the bottom of Waiono Ranch Road, we will be subject to every single car/truck entering and leaving proposed events at Sunshower farms if this SUP is approved. It will be a tremendous disruption to our operations and daily quality of life.
No to special use permit on Waiono!
Preserve waiono as farm land not wedding venue!
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We, the property owners of Waiono Meadows, a small agricultural community in North Kona, petition the Leeward Planning Commission to deny approval of the Special Use Permit (SUP) application (SPP-21-000222) submitted by Douglas and Kathryn Hickey of Sunshower Farms LLC. The Hickey’s are, again, requesting a special permit to operate a venue for numerous large and small-scale weddings and other events, along with the construction of an events pavilion on their 20-acre CPR, agriculture-zoned parcel (TMK #7-6-002: 028-0001). It is important to note that their proposed map of their intended pavilion is inaccurate and incomplete. It is not a professional survey map with flood channels annotated. In fact, it is believed there has never been a survey conducted of the flood channels up here.
As you’ll recall, the Hickey’s withdrew their first SUP application back in October 2020 after the Leeward Planning Commission deferred their decision during a hearing held on September 21, 2020. Prior to that hearing, the county Planning Department had recommended in their “PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT; CONCLUSIONS OF LAW; AND DECISION AND ORDER” document that “the proposed use is not unusual and reasonable and and does not promote the objectives of Chapter 205 HRS. Thus, Special Permit Application No. 20-000218 is hereby DENIED.”
Information contained within this second application indicates the Hickey’s are now proposing to build a slightly smaller-in-size events pavilion. They have provided very specific numbers on the maximum number of annual events and maximum number of attendees per event. This, while knowing it would be nearly impossible to monitor these promised specifics without someone out there counting cars and bodies and keeping track of the number of events they’ve hosted. They have also offered some modifications to Waiono Ranch Road. In their application, they present a strong case for the economic benefit not only to the vendors of their business but also to the county via a detailed income analysis from increased tourism to Kona and the Big Island, in general. It is important to note that of the dozens of letters of support the Hickey’s have attached to their SUP, it is believed only one of those persons own property up here. It is believed nearly all the others are people/vendors who could potentially benefit from the proposed wedding and events venue e.g. caterers, florists, bakers, musicians, hair stylists.
As a reminder, property owners and farm workers alike can only access their farms and properties using this single-lane Waiono Ranch Road. We are more than familiar with hazards of our narrow, substandard farm road and the numerous blind spots, potholes, steep grades, and flooding issues that already affect the safety of drivers, passengers, and livestock. With no Homeowner Association, there is no road maintenance agreement in place. This, in addition to other safety and liability issues that include historic flooding events in Holualoa, is cause for major concern among property owners. Flooding of the road often occurs several times a year; this, too, significantly damages the road and jeopardizes the health and safety of those navigating it.
The on-line ePetition sent out to everyone back in September 2020 (in opposition to SUP application #1) was signed by nearly every owner of property accessing Waiono Ranch Road. We felt very encouraged by that. The substandard road remains a huge concern for us. It is believed the Hickey’s proposed modifications to the road is not enough to turn our substandard, dangerous road into one that should be considered safe and up-to-par. In terms of impact to surrounding properties and all of us who utilize Waiono Ranch Road, the substantial increase in vehicles — hypothetically occurring multiple days/evenings a week year-round - WILL adversely affect us. Should the County approve the Hickey’s SUP application, each of us property owners may very well be opened-up to potential liability related to the Hickey’s commercial wedding party/other events business by inebriated or otherwise-careless party attendees. The County of Hawaii may, also, be a potential target of a lawsuit.
It is important to note that Waiono Ranch Road is, itself, a separately-owned parcel. It is designated as Lot #11, and owned by “Golden Bay LLC.” It has been confirmed with the owners of this parcel that they never been personally contacted, consulted, or notified of the Hickey’s pending SUP application and proposed modification of the road. The law requires the Hickey’s to notify all owners of property within 500 feet of their property.
We, the property owners and neighbors to Kate and Doug Hickey, strongly oppose this Special Use Permit for weddings and other events, and urge the Leeward Planning Commission to immediately DENY this application. It is our hope the Commission will join us in protecting our Ag-zoned properties. We invite you to personally take a drive and view the road; we feel confident you will then understand our concerns and why we feel so strongly about it.
We respectfully ask for your careful consideration of our concerns.
Mahalo Nui Loa.
31 Comments
Agricultural land on Hawai'i island and state wide should not be used for commercial bussiness which is what a regular wedding venue would be! A small family wedding occasionally is acceptable but this is not agricultural related business and should not be allowed!
We all knew what the zoning was when we bought our property in Waiono Ranch. It the County were to grant this SUP, it would set a very bad precedent. And for the Hickey’s to say it would not have any negative impact on the neighboring lots would be ridiculous and untrue. “How could it not”, I was told by a local attorney.
Our family has had two head on accidents on this dangerous road and feel strongly apposed to an increase of traffic from a Wedding venue with drivers unfamiliar with the conditions here.
I believe the Waiono Road is too narrow to accommodate Weddings and inebriated drivers. Theshoulders simply do not allow for safe passage of two cars without one car pulling onto the wet, muddy unimproved shoulder. Plus, the liability for the road is shared by all Waiono Ranch owners and it seems patently unfair that they should have take liability for a neighbor's business. The roadway is a separate lot and I do not believe the owner of the roadway has even been notified.
As a partial owner of property mauka of the subject parcel and dependent on the use of Waiono Ranch Road (Lot 11) for access to our cattle ranch operation, I strongly oppose this SUP application. This single lane road with farm and ranch traffic is adequate FOR THAT PURPOSE but totally inadequate for the kinds of traffic and use contemplated by the applicant. I urge the DENIAL of this application which, if approve, would create potential hazards and unenforcable conditions to the detriment of all property owners served by this access driveway.
As the first farm at the bottom of Waiono Ranch Road, we will be subject to every single car/truck entering and leaving proposed events at Sunshower farms if this SUP is approved. It will be a tremendous disruption to our operations and daily quality of life.
No to special use permit on Waiono!
Preserve waiono as farm land not wedding venue!
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Agricultural land on Hawai'i island and state wide should not be used for commercial bussiness which is what a regular wedding venue would be! A small family wedding occasionally is acceptable but this is not agricultural related business and should not be allowed!