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system only treats water to remove fecal bacteria. Current Department of Health <br /> standards require wastewater treatment to remove harmful viruses and bacteria, as <br /> well. It is not known how damaged the wastewater collection system is, so it is likely <br /> leaking into groundwater. Wastewater is pumped into infiltration basins that flow into <br /> groundwater. This groundwater then flows into nearshore marine waters. The Hawai'i <br /> State Supreme Court has ruled the county has an affirmative duty to protect <br /> nearshore marine waters. This public trust resource is at risk. A 2006 Draft <br /> Environmental Impact Statement stated, "[t]he project's engineers have assumed the <br /> treatment plant will be replaced when the new development begins." The Planning <br /> Department's recommendations do not address the existing serious wastewater <br /> problems. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) must be <br /> completed before the SMA permit application can be approved and the wastewater <br /> treatment plant must be replaced and operational before the SMA permit is approved. <br /> The Planning Director waived the requirement for shoreline certification. Given the <br /> degree of climate change since the last shoreline certification was completed, a new <br /> shoreline certification should be required prior to approval of SMA permit application. <br /> A tsunami in November 1975 damaged the restaurant located on the nearshore <br /> anchialine pool. The SMA permit allows for reconstruction of the restaurant, other <br /> amenities, and landscaping around the anchialine pool, which would result in <br /> irreparable harm to this public trust resource. <br /> Since the 1988 Final Environmental Impact Statement was completed, the U.S. <br /> Census for Hawaii island has increased by 67%. Visitor days have increased by <br /> 126%, and visitor arrivals have increased 48%. In order to determine the additional <br /> cumulative impacts on traffic and infrastructure at Punalu'u, a Supplemental <br /> Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) should be required prior to approval of the <br /> SMA. <br /> The SMA permit application and project do not comply with numerous policies of the <br /> Ka'u Community Development Plan. <br /> Accordingly, I respectfully urge the committee to DENY this SMA application and <br /> protect Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify. <br /> Koohan Paik-Mander <br /> Honokaa <br />