2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Diana B. Miller Opposition Testimony

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existing serious wastewater problems. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) must be completed before the SMA permit application can be approved and the wastewater treatment plant must be replaced and operational before the SMA permit is approved. 2. The Planning Director waived the requirement for shoreline certification. Given the degree of climate change since the last shoreline certification was completed, a new shoreline certification should be required prior to approval of SMA permit application. A tsunami in November 1975 damaged the restaurant located on the nearshore anchialine pool. The SMA permit allows for reconstruction of the restaurant, other amenities, and landscaping around the anchialine pool, which would result in irreparable harm to this public trust resource. 3. Since the 1988 Final Environmental Impact Statement was completed, the U.S. Census for Hawaii island has increased by 67%. Visitor days have increased by 126%, and visitor arrivals have increased 48%. In order to determine the additional cumulative impacts on traffic and infrastructure at Punalu`u, a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) should be required prior to approval of the SMA. 4. The SMA permit application and project do not comply with numerous policies of the Ka`u Community Development Plan. There are far too many negative aspects to this project that far outweigh any gains. At some point we need to assess developments like this with close attention to the environmental impacts. 1 lived on Oahu prior to moving to Hawaii island. Please don't "pave the way"to overdevelop our island as we have seen on other islands. I strongly and respectfully urge the committee to DENY this SMA application and protect Punalu`u Black Sand Beach. Thank you for this opportunity to testify. Sincerely, Diana B Miller, USAF, LtCol (retired) PO BOX 1295 Kurtistown, Hi 96760 808-345-0696