COM 0106.027 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Pualani Makai Development Project Page 2 2. This project requires water commitments for a total of 29.843 acres to serve 350 residential units and a Village Commercial project. Each committed water unit equals 600 gallons per day in water usage. There is a presumption that secured water commitments ran with the land and transferred to the current project developers from Westpro Development-the water commitments were included in the reassignment of rights to368 water units to Westpro from Pualani Estates, Inc.-for a total of ?20,800 gallons of water per day. However, there is a question concerning the available potable water supply in North Kona. "Saltwater intrusion in the Kahaluu shaft well has resulted in high levels of sodium and chloride, prompting Hawaii County water officials to pursue projects to lessen the quantity of water pumped out of the shaft."~ The elevated sodium and chloride levels persist today as usage increases. The well supplies a coastal corridor stretching from south of FIonokohau Harbor to Kainaliu and from the ocean to several miles inland. North Kona is currently under a water conservation notice due to dry weather conditions, exceptionally large water consumption, and ongoing repairs at the Hualalai and Kalaoa Wells. The available wells in North Kona cannot meet current demands. Meanwhile, potable water use continues for irrigation and dust control (b}' developers and County crews) because no action has supported facility improvements to convert wastewater from the Kealakehe treatment plant to a usable R1 irrigation standard. Furthermore, several developers have secured water commitu~ents from the Department of Water Supply for their pending projects. As of December 2004, North Kona had a total of 6,046,800 gallons per day in outstanding potable water commitments North Kona's overdrawn and regularly broken wells will not meet that demand. Currently approved land development projects will create housing to double the North Kona population over the next decade. North Kona does not have the infrastructure or resources to support additional development. This is the wrong time and the wrong place for the Pualani Makai Development Project. Until North Kona's basic infrastructure meets current population needs, it would be irresponsible to approve any additional project development. We need to manage community growth. ~fhank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion. Barbara Scott 75-5782 Lopeka Place Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 ~ "Water Shaft Alternatives Fursued,° by 'T'ravis Loop West I Iawai'i Today, Sunday, February I, 2004.