2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Shauna Kehaunani Springer Opposition Testimony

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March 4, 2024 Hawai'i County Council Chambers in Hilo 101 Pauahi St. Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov To: The Windward Planning Commission of the County of Hawai'i RE: BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046) Aloha Chair Lin, Vice Chair Danielle, and Windward Planning Commissioners, 'O wau n6 'o Shauna Kehaunani Springer, no Kaimuki, O'ahu mai au, noho wau ma Kea'au, Puna, Hawai'i. I was born and raised on O'ahu and have been living on Hawai'i Island in Puna and Hilo for the past 20+ years. My 'ohana traces mo'oku'auhau to Hawai'i Island and specifically to Ka'u. I worked for an ocean conservation non-profit for over 11 + years working alongside fishing communities throughout Hawai'i. I also come from an 'ohana of first responders that serve the public by keeping our communities, visitors, and island home safe. Today, I am here to provide testimony in STRONG OPPOSITION to the request made by applicant: BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046) under my own personal capacity and not on behalf of any organization. I request that the planning commission also OPPOSE the request to acquire a special management area use permit to develop within the ahupua'a's of Ninole, Wailau and Punalu'u. First and foremost, He ali'i ka 'aina, he kaua ke kanaka. The land is chief and we, the people are the servants. These ahupua'a in Ka'u have been documented and noted in our traditions as wahi pana, special areas that have natural and cultural resources that are significant to HawaiTs unique ecosystems and our cultural heritage. They should be respected as such and development on this scale is unsurmountable. It will destroy estuaries, anchialine ponds, coastal vegetation, cultural and historical sites and more. Regardless if any EA or EIS was completed, I know it will disrupt and have a NEGATIVE &ADVERSE impact on my cultural well-being, identity and way of life. As a child of this 'aina and Hawai'i, the upmost care and respect needs to go into caring for our landscapes and oceanscapes.