2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Dr. Ku Kahakalau Opposition Testimony

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March 5, 2024 Aloha my name is Dr. Ku Kahakalau. I am an award-winning native Hawaiian educator and expert on Hawaiian language and culture and resident of Hawai'i Island with strong connections to Ka'o. In the 1980s and 90s, I spent extended time at Punalu'u and was blessed to learn from Aunty Pele Hanoa, the expert on Punalu'u during her days and many other kupa o ka 'aina about the special wahi pana of Punalu'u. Please accept this testimony in STRONG OPPOSITION to Eva Liu's application for a SMA permit to engage in development at Punalu'u, Ka'o, scheduled for public hearing on March 7th 2024 at 9 am. As you well know, it is state policy to preserve, protect, and where possible, restore the natural resources of the coastal zone of Hawai'i, and institute special controls on developments within areas along the shoreline, to avoid permanent losses of valuable resources. Based on this state policy it is your kuleana to preserve and protect the many invaluable resources at Punalu'u, by denying Ms. Liu's application. Because if you don't, there is no doubt that Punalu'u and its shoreline, as well as the people of Ka'o, particularly Ka'o's native Hawaiian population, will experience permanent, irrevocable losses of valuable and unique resources. For over a thousand years, the black-sand beach at Punalu'u has been an important resource for the people of the majestic district of Ka'o. This includes freshwater springs fed by mauka aquifers bubbling up along the shoreline and in the ocean, which have provided life-giving water for our kopuna, who gathered this fresh water by diving into the ocean. Hence the name puna (spring) lu'u (to dive). In addition, the ponds at Punalu'u have been used for healing for many generations by the natives of Ka'o. Allowing development to occur at Punalu'u will put these precious fresh water sources of Punalu'u Bay, Ninole Cove and the alkaline ponds, which are all interconnected, at high risk of pollution. When one source becomes contaminated through run-off from the development, which has happened quite frequently in the past, all freshwater sources will be affected. This in turn will have negative impacts on the marine life. This includes the many native fish who love the brackish water of Punalu'u Bay, as well as the 'opihi, including the ko'ele variety, the wana, the crabs and many rare varieties of limu, which grow along the shorelines. Allowing development at Punalu'u will also have significant negative impact on the threatened Honu'ea Hawksbill turtles, as well as green sea turtles, who lay their eggs in the sands of Punalu'u and love to bask on the warm black sand. Increased use of Punalu'u beach by occupants of the development will harm these turtles, who according to experts, should have as little human contact as possible. Other sea animals who also use Punalu'u is the 'llioholoikauaua, or Hawaiian monk seal, who comes to rest on the sands at Punalu'u.