Laserfiche WebLink
Vance Bjorn & Matthew Baker <br /> 95-788 Ninole Loop Road <br /> Pahala, HI 96777 <br /> vancebjorn@gmail.com <br /> 650-743-1274 <br /> February 26, 2024 <br /> Windward Planning Commission <br /> WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty_gov <br /> Zendo Kern <br /> zendo.Kern@hawaiicounty_gov <br /> Alex Roy <br /> alex.Roy@hawaiicounty.gov <br /> Dear Members of the Windward Planning Commission, <br /> As a homeowner at the Sea Mountain Condominiums, I am writing to express my support for <br /> the proposed development plans submitted by Black Sand Beach LLC. As a concerned <br /> resident of Sea Mountain and advocate for sustainable community development, I believe this <br /> project represents a critical opportunity for our community, especially in addressing the long- <br /> standing infrastructure challenges faced by the Punalu'u area. <br /> For over fifty years, the water and wastewater treatment plants serving Punalu'u have operated <br /> without significant updates or improvements. Originally designed in the 1970s to <br /> accommodate a capacity of 2,500+ units, these facilities now serve only 100 families. This <br /> underutilization poses not only a financial inefficiency but also a missed opportunity for <br /> modernization and environmental protection for the Punalu'u beach area. <br /> The current financial model underpinning our wastewater treatment infrastructure is <br /> unsustainable. The cost of investing in and upgrading such a large system for a small number <br /> of users is prohibitive without the addition of new homes to share in the financial and <br /> environmental benefits of such an investment. The proposed development by Black Sand <br /> Beach LLC offers a viable solution to this challenge by expanding the residential and <br /> commercial base, thereby making the necessary investments in our water and wastewater <br /> treatment facilities financially feasible. <br /> The private residences and county bathrooms located by the ocean are provided fresh water <br /> from the Punalu'u water company, but the environmental benefits of integrating the private <br /> homes and county bathrooms into the sewer system cannot be overstated. Currently, these <br /> facilities rely on septic or cess pool tanks, which require regular pumping and pose a risk to our <br /> coastal ecosystems. Connecting them to the sewer lines would represent a significant step <br /> forward in our community's efforts to protect and preserve our natural environment. <br /> Moreover, it is imperative to address the sustainability and financial viability of the Punalu'u <br /> Water System, especially for the 100 families and county bathrooms that are currently <br /> depending on it. Should the proposed development by Black Sand Beach LLC not proceed as <br /> anticipated, there is a legitimate concern that the developer may discontinue their financial <br /> support and /or subsidy for the operation costs of this aging infrastructure. In light of this, we <br /> urge the Windward Planning Commission to consider alternative measures or support <br /> mechanisms to ensure that these families are not left without essential services or face <br /> exorbitant costs for their water and wastewater treatment. Whether through seeking <br />