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From: Denise Attwood <br /> To: WPCtestimonv;Council Remote Testimony <br /> Subject: Development of Punalu"u Black Sand Beach <br /> Date: Monday,March 4, 2024 5:20:15 PM <br /> To: The Windward Planning Commission <br /> March 5, 2024 <br /> To Those at the Planning Commission: <br /> My husband Ric Conner and I have been visiting the south part of the Big Island of Hawaii for <br /> the past several weeks and were introduced to the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. What an <br /> amazing and special place, from the black sand to the turtles & butterflies, to all of the <br /> magnificent pools formed in the lava. This place is such a treasure and should be a National <br /> Park! We were so thrilled to be able to enjoy this special spot several times during our stay. <br /> It was with great sadness, then, that we heard that this beautiful beach and surrounding area <br /> is being considered for development. Development can go anywhere, but you could never <br /> replace this unique spot. To develop this area would be a travesty to the island community <br /> and also to this incredibly unique and spectacular place. The turtles here already seem like <br /> they are dealing with enough human population and to add more would more than likely <br /> make them disappear. <br /> We have spent a lot of time on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and watched as well-spoken <br /> developers came into a spectacular beach saying how they would preserve the area, only to <br /> have it destroyed by their buildings and the influx of even more people. You have a highly <br /> developed tourist area in the North, keep the South wild, pristine, rugged and beautiful. Don't <br /> destroy it with more "development". The beach already feels like it is at capacity. It seems <br /> better to petition to make it into part of the National Park and keep it protected forever. <br /> As visitors to this special place we would ask that you deny the Special Area Management <br /> Permit PL-SMA-2023-00046. Protect all the species that call this place home and preserve it <br /> for future generations. This area once developed would never be restored. <br /> Thank you for hearing our written testimony and thank you for sharing this beautiful wild <br /> place with us. It will stay in our hearts forever. <br /> All the best and Aloha. <br /> Denise Attwood & Ric Conner <br /> 13212 South Austin Road <br /> Spokane, WA 99210 <br /> 509-499-3320 <br />