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From: Dan Corippo <br /> To: W PCtesti mono <br /> Subject: Punaluu Development <br /> Date: Monday,March 4,2024 10:40:40 AM <br /> Aloha, there are many reasons why the big development plans at Punaluu Beach should be <br /> carefully considered. <br /> *First,regarding public commentary,having an important community meeting on a weekday doesn't offer adequate <br /> opportunity for the working people of Ka'u to attend.Please add an additional planning meeting on a Saturday. <br /> *We need an Environmental Impact Statement,since the current one is more than 50 years old. Deciding to move <br /> forward without one feels disrespectful to our community and to the aina,and does not feel in integrity or pono. <br /> *Last summer there were five Hawaiian Hawksbill sea turtle nests at Punalu'u.We had not had a nest here since <br /> 2018.About 95%of all Hawaiian Hawksbills nest along the Ka'u coast and there are maybe 20 nesting females <br /> TOTAL each year.They are critically endangered and they are very sensitive to light--both when nesting and when <br /> the hatchlings are trying to make it to the ocean.Any kind of a development at Punalu'u beach would be very <br /> detrimental to their already fragile survival. <br /> *There is no disaster mitigation plan.Pele can be unpredictable and things can change very quickly here.The beach <br /> is already reaching capacity and building a development that is not coastal dependent within 200 feet of the high tide <br /> mark puts people and facilities in danger.Tsunamis,earthquakes,flooding and other potential hazards need to be <br /> considered and anticipated—if not,there could be huge losses and liabilities. <br /> *There is no burial treatment plan in place. <br /> *Building condos at Punalu'u will most definitely increase our property taxes. <br /> *There needs to be an updated shore assessment and setback.This certification is especially important when there <br /> are plans to put a cafe about 100 feet from the beach,as seen in the proposed village diagram,#15. <br /> *The owner has listed 143 acres as conservation,which currently is planned from one fish pond to another.If this <br /> was extended to reach the boat ramp,it would ensure much better environmental protection for the endangered <br /> hawksbill turtles,green sea turtles and the Hawaiian monk seal. <br /> *The current infrastructure is very poor.How is the developer going to deal with waste water,necessary water <br /> supplies and what fire suppression systems will be in place? <br />