2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Deborah Ward Opposition Testimony

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rainfall and storm surge. Storm surge is the rise in sea level due to low barometric pressure and the pile up of water due to persistent wind in the forward motion of the storm.These conditions can be exacerbated by high tide and mesoscale eddies in the Central Pacific.The coastal bathymetry off Punalu'u shows no fringing reefs that could mitigate some of the impacts of powerful hurricanes. Tsunami: The Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map indicates areas of potential tsunami inundation on the coastal areas of the property. Due to its historic exposure to tsunami hazards,risk of future tsunami inundation is significant in the coastal zone. Lava Flows: The project area is within Zone 3,indicating a moderate to severe hazard.The project site is located in lava flow hazard zone"T'with"1"posing the greatest hazard and "T'posing the least. Earthquakes: The entire island of Hawai'i is susceptible to earthquakes originating in fault zones under and adjacent to the island.Under the uniform building code seismic provisions, the Zone 4 area could experience severe seismic activity between .30 and .40 of the earth's gravitational acceleration (g-forces) causing major damage to poorly designed or built structures. 2: Proposed development near shoreline not appropriate The fish market, restaurant and restrooms planned across from the old restaurant and the new "Welcome Center" are approximately 200' from the shoreline. This ignores the policies outlined in the Kau Community Development Plan (HAWAII COUNTY ORDINANCE 2017-66). According to the Kau Community Development Plan, "A large number of CDP objectives and strategies intersect at Punalu`u, which has a rich ecological, historical, and cultural legacy and is dear to the hearts of most residents to this day." Retail, dining and entertainment centers should be located in existing towns, not adjacent to an already crowded shoreline. The Kau Community Development Plan (Ordinance 2017-66) specifies the following policies: Policy 23 Protect the shoreline from the encroachment of man-made improvements and structures. (GP 8.3(d)) Policy 24 Maintain the shoreline for recreational,cultural, education, and/or scientific uses in a manner that is protective of resources and is of the maximum benefit to the general public. (GP 8.3(c)) Policy 25 Protect and conserve forest and coastal areas with native wildlife, natural ecosystems,and wilderness. (GP 8.4) D Ward Comments 3