(Editor’s Note: Following is an email sent to Big Island Chronicle from Scott and Deb Wills, neighbors complaining about Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education (SPACE). A carbon copy of the email was sent to Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole, Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, county zoning inspector Scott Leonard, and county planners Norman Hayashi, Daryn Arai and Jeff Darrow.)
Thank you for the write-up. It seems the facts are confused with fiction so lets set the record straight.
SPACE requested a Special Use Permit for the sole purpose of providing gymnastics education to the youth of our community. As such, it was approved with several stipulations that included no unpermitted structures and no public performances as this would negatively impact the neighbors. SPACE agreed to these stipulations but soon after the permit was approved SPACE decided that it would do other things rather than educational events. This included concerts, night bazaars, parties, movies, farmers markets and numerous other events that would make a buck. All this was done and justified because SPACE believes they know what the community needs. Knows this better than anyone, and so has lied to the county, violated the law, violated their Special Use Permit, and thumbed their nose at our elected officials, and county experts in the County Health Department, Planning Department, and Building Department.
They have also violated the rights of their neighbors, who consequently are also members of the community. Violations include having parties that last until after midnight, constant noise that violates County Health standards, traffic congestion, parking issues, and mobs of transient people in the neighborhood. All of these are impacts that the county was concerned about when it awarded SPACE the Special Use Permit. As a result, the police are routinely called by the neighbors to handle these issues, which is a waste of precious government money and resources. Additionally, the neighbors rights for due process have been violated. If somebody doesn’t like a law, there’s a process to have it changed which includes input from those that are affected most. You don’t just ignore it and do what you like.
As a result of these violations, the County has become involved. It wasn’t the result of a single complaint or complaintent but as a result of numerous complaints of the neighbors — those in the community affected most. This is not being vindictive, it’s a result of not following the law, arrogance, and stepping on your neighbors.
