2024-03-06 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Kurt Dela Cruz Opposition Testimony

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From: Kurt Dela Cruz To: WPCtestinnonv Subject: RE:Opposition of Black Sand Beach LLC application Date: Wednesday,March 6,2024 11:32:38 AM Aloha members of the Windward Planning Commission, My name is Kurt Dela Cruz and I am a son of Ka'u. More specifically, I was raised in Na'alehu and graduated from both Na'alehu School and Ka'u High Schools. My dad worked for the plantation and both of my parents were once members of the ILWU and supported many of the proposed "developments" of Ka'u-- including the numerous prior attempts to create jobs and visitor accommodations at Punalu'u. All eventually failed. I currently live in a state of "economic exile" in Hilo as my work keeps me living outside of Ka'u. I would much rather be working in my homeland of Ka'u, but if this is what it takes to keep the lifestyle what it is, then I will continue doing so until such a time I can move back home. I visit regularly and I worry about what the future holds for Ka'u people. Let me start by saying that I respect the current owner of the property and her willingness to respond to community members and their thoughts on Punalu'u. I also respect the folks who have supported the owner's attempts to redevelop Punalu'u-- many of whom I stood with on other matters related to develoment in Ka'u. These included efforts to build a prison, spaceport, and other things we deemed destructive to the lifestyle of it's local residents, especially kanakas. Therefore, I must continue to vote a'ole for any development proposals for Ka'u's coastlines or mountain regions. I am certainly open to the rehabilitation of infrastructure in existing town areas like Na'alehu, Pahala, and Ocean View. For Punalu'u however, I am inclined to say no. My genuine sentiments hover between a'ole and a very reserved kanalua. I stand in protection of this very special place in hopes that it is preserved and protected as a world heritage district more so than consistently facing threats to its existence as we know it. For decades, our access to the ocean, mountain and natural resources has leveled the playing field between rich and poor in Ka'u, for even the family with lesser money would always have unbridled access to both mountain and ocean regions. With Ka'u having such a young, rough coastline, the easily accessible spots like Punalu'u, Honuapo, and Kalae are extremely important to the local residents, especially those who are kanaka. What initial development projects like these bring, along with all subsequent gentrification that follows, is to tighten the proverbial noose around the necks of the people who for generations relied on the land and ocean as part of their subsistence. Some may say that my claim is a bit extreme, especially with so many in the region in need of jobs and an economic base. I too share in those concerns, but I have seen all too well what has happened to other regions of the pae aina who approved their first "small" developments. Let us remember the Rockerfeller family in 1965, and the approval they got from "kupuna" and "paniolos" to build the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on what was to become Kona's "gold" coast. Many years later, Kona people have all the jobs they could ever want--but they no longer have Kona. Kona resembles San Diego, California more than it does that quaint beautiful town it once was. Ka'u will never provide those sunsets and white sandy beaches people flock to. But it will provide space,peace, and serenity. Many people will want that too. This proposed development, albeit scaled down and designed in consultation with Ka'u people, will serve as our own version of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. More development and more people will come. And that will be the most serious threat to Ka'u people in the years to come. Are we going to stop change from happening? The answer is an equivalent No. But we can certainly be the change we would want to see. For Ka'u