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Jen Pham <br /> To the Windward Planning Commission <br /> RE: Black Sand Beach LLC Application <br /> Aloha Commissioners, <br /> Thank you for your time and service today to take the time in reading this letter, <br /> amongst the (hopefully) hundreds if not thousands of other testimonies that will <br /> be opposing this permit. <br /> am writing this letter today as a resident of Ka'u, Oceanview, as a passionate <br /> keiki `o ka `aina, and supporter of keeping country, country. Ka'u, Ka'u, kanaka <br /> lands in kanaka hands. I implore you to vote Vole on this permit. While I am <br /> largely basing my testimony on pathos and on the belief that a foreigner should <br /> not have the right or permission to "develop" such sacred lands for profit, it was <br /> brought to my attention that according to HRS Chapter 205-26 (2)(a), this <br /> application must demonstrate that the development will not have any <br /> substantial adverse environmental or ecological effect, except as such <br /> adverse effect is minimized to the extent practicable and clearly <br /> outweighed by public health, safety, or compelling public interests. By this <br /> standard, this application does not demonstrate this, in fact the effects of <br /> developing on sacred, ancestral grounds would be detrimental to the already <br /> jaded, stolen Hawaiian culture. It most definitely would not be of interest to the <br /> public, the true local public, the people who would TRULY be impacted by your <br /> decisions here to grant or deny this permit, in which I would like to ask with my <br /> sincerest and `aina focused intentions in mind, that you folks deny this SMA <br /> permit. <br /> In addition to the adverse effects this deterioration of land would have on the <br /> minds and hearts of the public interest, the ecology of this beautiful area would <br /> be impacted as well. Hawai'i, as I'm sure you folks know, is.. or was, home to <br /> such a unique array of plants and animals. Punalu'u, in particular, home to a <br /> pristine flowing fresh water spring, and it is "state policy to preserve, protect, and <br /> where possible, to restore the natural resources of the coastal zone of Hawaii." <br /> Allowing a business minded individual like Eva Liu, creator of Black Sand Beach <br /> LLC, a name alone which exploits our beautiful Punalu'u, would not be in <br /> alignment with state policy, or the hearts and minds of the Ka'u community. <br /> We do not need another resort on our beautiful island. We have enough already, <br /> there is only one Punalu'u. Only one chance to make the right decision for the <br /> `aina, to preserve the lands for our children, and our children's children. So that <br /> one day they may enjoy watching the honu sleep upon the black sands of <br /> Punalu'u, or drink from the pristine springs of Punalu'u. <br /> I implore you folks to use the power granted to you by the people of Hawai'i, by <br /> the residents and kanaka of Hawai'i to please, make the right decision to sustain <br />