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From: Arthur Frederick Kennedv <br /> To: W PCtesti mono <br /> Subject: Testimony regarding development at Punalu"u <br /> Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 5:15:44 AM <br /> *Regarding public commentary,having an important community <br /> meeting on a weekday doesn't offer adequate opportunity for the <br /> working people of Ka'u to attend.Please add an additional <br /> planning meeting on a Saturday. <br /> *An Environmental Impact Statement is needed,since the current <br /> one is more than 50 years old.Deciding to move forward without <br /> one feels disrespectful to our community and to the aina,and does <br /> not feel in integrity or pono. <br /> *There were five Hawaiian Hawksbill sea turtle nests at Punalu'u. <br /> We had not had a nest here since 2018.About 95%of all <br /> Hawaiian Hawksbills nest along the Ka'u coast and there are <br /> maybe 20 nesting females TOTAL each year.They are critically <br /> endangered and they are very sensitive to light--both when <br /> nesting and when the hatchlings are trying to make it to the ocean. <br /> Any kind of a development at Punalu'u beach would be very <br /> detrimental to their already fragile survival. <br /> *NO DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN.Pele can be unpredictable <br /> and things can change very quickly here.The beach is already <br /> reaching capacity and building a development that is not coastal <br /> dependent within 200 feet of the high tide mark puts people and <br /> facilities in danger.Tsunamis,earthquakes,flooding and other <br /> potential hazards need to be considered and anticipated—if not, <br /> there could be huge losses and liabilities. <br /> *No burial treatment plan in place. <br /> *Building condos at Punalu'u will most definitely increase our <br /> property taxes. <br /> *There needs to be an updated shore assessment and setback.This <br /> certification is especially important when there are plans to put a <br /> cafe about 100 feet from the beach,as seen in the proposed village <br /> diagram,#15. <br /> *The owner has listed 143 acres as conservation,which currently <br /> is planned from one fish pond to another.If this was extended to <br /> reach the boat ramp,it would ensure much better environmental <br /> protection for the endangered hawksbill turtles,green sea turtles <br /> and the Hawaiian monk seal. <br /> *The current infrastructure is very poor.How is the developer <br /> going to deal with waste water,necessary water supplies and what <br /> fire suppression systems will be in place? <br />