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From: MAILE ABELLERA <br /> To: WPCtestimonv <br /> Subject: Opposition for Development at Punalu"u <br /> Date: Thursday,May 2,2024 7:35:37 AM <br /> Hi, my name is Efren Abellera. Although I wasn't born here in Hawaii,nor am I of Hawaiian <br /> decent, I've been living in Ka'u for the past 39+years. This is where I met my wife. She is a <br /> Ka'u girl. Her family was born and raised at Punalu'u. I got to meet her grandmother,Adeline <br /> Andrade, who was born in Ninole, Punalu'u,before she passed away. She told me many <br /> stories about this area. That is why I continue to live here. The rich Hawaiian culture that was <br /> shared with me, is why I made Ka'u my home. I love this place. It feeds my family and I, from <br /> the mountain to the sea. <br /> I worked for the Sugar Plantation until 1995. I then moved to Hilo to try and find a better life <br /> for my family and L It only led me back to Ka'u. The peace and quiet,the country life style is <br /> what I live for. The city life is not for me. So with that being said, if I wanted to live near <br /> condos,hotels or tourism, I would have continued to live in Hilo or Kona. But I chose the life <br /> I live, right here in Ka'u. <br /> I own 12 acres of coffee, above Pahala. When they first opened up these parcels of land for <br /> displaced Sugar Plantation workers, I jumped at the chance. However,when the owners <br /> decided to sell the land to these mainland investors, it was questionable. My wife was angry. <br /> She knew that these investors were just in it for the money.Not once did the owners come to <br /> Hawaii and see how we were doing. Eventually we were given the ultimatum to buy the land <br /> or pretty much lose out to the new owners. With all my hard work, I bought my farm. I'm not <br /> young but I didn't want to see some foreigner buy my hard work for a cheap price. <br /> Anyways, I believe Eva and her friends mean well. I haven't been to any of the meetings that <br /> were held, cause I didn't hear about them. Development is not some small project. Why build <br /> something where no one wants it? Fix what's there right now. Why make changes to an area <br /> that doesn't need it? She claims she talked to the Kupuna of the community, but what about <br /> the rest of us? The Kupuna won't be around forever. The future is bright but not for <br /> development in Ka'u. I moved here cause I love it just the way it is. I'm also a fisherman. I <br /> launch my boat out of Punalu'u. If you develop, access will be limited. Remember the <br /> pandemic, every fisherman flocked to the Ka'u coastlines. Why? Cause we have the best <br /> fishing grounds. <br /> This development is dividing the people of Ka'u. The younger generation is the one speaking <br /> up about opposition, while the elders are supporting this. Ask yourself,why did they oppose it <br /> back then? It's probably the same reasons the younger generation speaks of now. Stop playing <br /> games and put an end to this. Say "NO" to this proposal. <br /> Mahalo, <br /> Efren Abellera <br /> PO Box 928 <br /> Pahala, Hawaii 96777 <br /> Sent from AOL on Android <br />