2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Candice Fragas Opposition Testimony

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inspector. I have fought many fires in our community from South Point to Green Sands subdivision, Naalehu, Punalu'u and Pahala. So I know how severe condition our hydrants are. Within our SMA minor, we could do repairs and up keeps. But this isn't just a repair, this is huge. I have gotten quotes from contractors and its going to cost Black Sands Beach LLC any where from $50,000 to $60,000 per hydrant. When I first joined this team, I seen how the previous engineering company was running things and I didn't like it they did the bare minimum. They claimed that it was due to not having enough employees. When they decided not to continue their contract, we found local guys to work our system who tell me every road block we could hit. But did it stop the team from moving forward NO! We changed out pumps that were put it in that weren't even specked out for what it was used for. That pump alone with shipping was between $17,000 and $18,000. When that pump broke down, we had to pay for pumping services which was over $80,000. We have back up pumps just in case. We also just re did some of the electric service at the Well site, Treatment plant, and Pumping Station for emergency generator hook ups. That costed the team over $30,000. We also talked with C&A Generator Service to rent their generators in case of an emergency. We currently have a generator on site as well just in case. So as you can see, we have been making great efforts to help make this area better. I have seen the efforts that Eva, Zack and Yoga of Black Sand Beach LLC have made meeting with Kupuna's and other community members. I have seen the dedication that we have made to the area. And I am not speaking just as an employee, but am speaking from the heart of a community member when I say this. Black Sands Beach LLC has been very dedicated towards the benefits of the community. Before my husband opened up our own business, he traveled for work 5-6 days a week. He never really got to spend time with our kids. He went to work dark time and came home dark time. Why can't we sustain our local people by having them work here in their own hometown. So, when I say that I am dedicated to helping our local community, I mean it. A lot of community members are worried about the shoreline. But Black Sands Beach LLC wants to keep the shoreline for the community and to help preserve the area. They do not want to develop on the shoreline. We are willing to work with the community to come up with the best management plan for that area. Why can't we use the Kupuna's and all of their knowledge? Who would know best about our shoreline but ourKupuna and community. As a community member and an employee of Black Sands Beach LLC, I have learned the mo'olelo of these surrounding areas. I have learned the history; I have learned about the heiau's of this entire ahupua'a, and what their significance are. Where they are located, and I've been working with the Kupuna's on how to preserve the area. I don't claim to know everything, I'm still learning and is willing to continue to learn. I have put a lot of blood sweat and tears into this aina and I will continue to do so as the land allows me to. I believe in my ancestors and I believe that it has been my Kuleana to do so. I have been guided all this time by my ancestors and by my Kupuna's there is a reason forum that. And I believe that reason is to make sure that everything is done in the correct manner. This is something that I have done and something that I will continue to