2024-09-02 Rebecca Melendez Testimony-2

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10) “Researchers find sewage from an oceanfront Big Island community reaches nearshore waters Hawaii Public Radio | By Russell Subiono, Sophia McCullough Published December 20, 2021 at 5:56 PM HST There are nearly 50,000 cesspools on the Big Island, with tens of thousands posing a risk to water resources, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.” https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conv ersation/2021-12-20/researchers-find-sewage-from-an-oceanfront-big-island-community-reaches-nearshore-waters 11) ”Kona coast faces stark wastewater tradeoffs, Current situation There are approximately 88,000 cesspools across the state, releasing more than 200,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day to the environment. https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2021/09/10/kona-stark-wastewa ter-tradeoffs/ We ask that you start figuring out how this can never happen again? These are the kind of issues that need to be resolved before you approve more development. 12) "HELCO restores power after initiating emergency outages on Big Island by: Elizabeth 'Ufi Posted: Jan 30, 2024 / 09:43 AM HST Updated: Jan 30, 2024 / 04:15 PM HST An unexpected loss of several large Hawaii Electric generators left some residents on Big Island without power for parts of the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 30." https://www.khon2.com/big-island-news/hec o-initiates-30-min-rolling-outages-after-loss-of-generators/ 13) Hawai'i State News Update: Hawaiian Electric initiates rolling outages throughout Big Island February 13, 2024 · 5:23 PM HST * Updated February 14, 2024 · 4:21 PM The emergency outages are being initiated in various areas around the entire island to prevent loss of power to an even greater number of customers. The timing and extent of the outages will depend on the amount of demand on the system and the availability of generators.” https://bigislandnow.com/2024/02/13/hawaii-island-customers-asked-to-reduce-electricity-use/ 14) HELCO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.” https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ 15) "Here's how power outages can have repercussions for Hawaii's water supply Hawaii Public Radio | By Savannah Harriman-Pote Published February 13, 2024 at 10:59 AM HST Water departments on Oahu and Hawaii Island have advised customers to conserve water ahead of possible storm-related power outages this month. But what does the power grid have to do with the water supply? It is impossible to separate Hawaii's power system from its water system, said Kawika Uyehara, deputy director of Hawaii County's Department of Water Supply." https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local- news/2024-02-13/residents-on-hawaii-island-and-oahu-are-asked-to-conserve-water-amid-power-outages 16) US Hawaii is "on the verge of a greater catastrophe," locals say, as water crisis continues By Li Cohen Updated on: April 11, 2024 / 8:23 AM EDT / CBS News In Hawaii, one of the most important sayings is ola i ka wai, "water is life" — a phrase that not only sums up what it means to exist on an island, but what it means to live, period. But now, one of the largest of the island chain's land masses is facing a triple threat to its sole freshwater source, and if it isn't addressed soon, one community member says, "We're in deep trouble." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-water-crisis-climate-change/ 17) News Hawai‘i County issues mandatory 25% water restriction for North Kona August 7, 2023 · 5:21 PM HS A mandatory 25% water restriction has been issued for various communities in North Kona due to the failure of the Honokhau Deepwell over the weekend. https://bigislandnow.com/2023/08/07/hawaii-county-issues-mandatory-25-water-restriction-for-north-kona/ 18) Hawaii Water Supply Closely Monitored As Severe Drought Continues by Big Island Video News on Nov 6, 2023 at 3:28 pm (BIVN) – With an ongoing drought on the island of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply says it is closely monitoring its 23 public water systems, with a “special focus” placed on the South Kohala Water System. https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/11/06/water-supply-closely-monitored-as-hawai%CA%BBi-under-severe-drought/ This is a map of Power Outages on the Big Island. This map wouldn't have been created if Power Outages were not a problem. https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/power-outages/hawaii-is land-outage-map Please, give Tax Breaks to all homes that provide solar and/or wind turbine to there homes to help with power issues on the island. 19) "Hawaiian Electric is reporting that several large generators on the Big Island are experiencing a range of issues and may lead to the need for rolling outages if supply does not meet demand." https://www.reddit.com/r/BigIsland/comments/1bnuar3/hawaiian_electric_is_reporting_that_several_large/?rdt=52660 20) “Hawaiian Electric asking Big Island customers to conserve power due to down generators March 25, 2024 · 11:49 AM HST According to the utility company, this is an usual situation as the large generators are experiencing mechanical problems resulting in a reduced output. The largest generator, an independent power producer that sells electricity to Hawaiian Electric, is offline with significant mechanical issues. The plant generates 60 megawatts or nearly one-third of the typical peak demand of 180 megawatts on the island." https://bigislandnow.com/2024/03/25/hawaiian-electric-asking-big-island-customers-to-conserve-power-due-to-down-generators/ All the articles above show that a resort development will further deplete and stress resources and infrastructure on an island already struggling. There are years of new development that have already been approved but not completed. It is not responsible or prudent to continue to develop this resort under these current conditions. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Law of the Splintered Paddle Hawaiian history tells us that young Kamehameha was once an aggressive chief. The story goes that the young chief even chased after two fishermen in a Puna fishing village. While pursuing them, his foot got stuck in a crevice, and one of the fishermen struck Kamehameha over the head with his paddle in defense, which splintered into pieces. After the incident, Kamehameha recognized that it was wrong to misuse his power and learned compassion. Years later, Kamehameha declared a new law “Ke Knwai Mmalahoe” or “the Law of the Splintered Paddle.” Meant to protect the innocent and vulnerable from unprovoked attacks, this law proclaimed that the defenseless, especially kupuna and keiki, be able to sleep safely on the side of the road, unharmed. The law provided for the safety of non-warriors during wartime and became the first written law of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. After being added back in 1978, the law is part of Hawaii’s State Constitution today. It is symbolic of servant leadership, reinforcing the importance of: -Caring for and serving one’s people -Knowing and doing what is pono (right) -Standing for the principle that leadership privilege is earned -Taking kuleana (responsibility) for those we serve -Doing so with compassion, love, and respect “We take that to mean that anyone who uses our roadways should be able to do so without fear of harm,” explains Tina." The Law of the Splintered Paddle is also on Kamehameha Schools website. The historical value of this law should be enough to help make Big Island roads become safer, and not adding to the traffic and issues of our already dangerous roads. https://www.ksbe.edu/article/the-lessons-of-the-law-of-the-splintered-paddle-ring-true-200-yea rs-after-k IN CONCLUSION The articles cited in this letter, many by some of the most esteemed scientists in the world, show with clarity that allowing this development is going to cause devastating, lasting, effects on the Ecosystem in Punalu'u and "The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA or "The Act"; 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.) is the primary law in the United States for protecting and conserving imperiled species. Designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation", the ESA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973. The Supreme Court of the United States described it as "the most comprehensive legislation for the preservation of endangered species enacted by any nation".\[1\]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act_of_1973 This location, currently acting as a natural filter, is especially vulnerable due to having a golf course on one side and a natural treasure like Keauhou Bay on the other. This land MUST be preserved in order to keep Punalu'u safe for all the marine life to be able to live there for years to come. In addition to the natural disaster this will cause, Hawai’i Island is already having serious infrastructure and resource issues that have yet to be solved. These issues MUST be solved before considering another resort development on Big Island. We need to work in harmony with the land and the people before pushing forward with new developments, especially in sacred and special places like Punalu'u. Punalu'u is a small, fragile Eco-system, that is already pressured by boating, golfing, population issues, and hotels and vacation rentals that are all around the entire area. The cost of what stands to be lost is far too high to allow this to happen. Please save Punalu'u's marine life and help the island's resources by saying NO to this develoment resort and more vacation homes. Please reject this development and acknowledge Hawaiian Descendants who have signed these two petitions: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/854/086/898/residents-who-oppose-the-resort-in-punaluu-ka%C5%AB/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFDIBxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHY7IfUJEIsfL4Cix2OcBFFz-_I8QRvD6NC5QwxLVGLEj16HE9Rw9x4pugw_aem_zf s8AHOnS8pfRTv3oPlLUQ https://www.change.org/p/help-prioritize-big-island-developments-to-keep-island-s-resources-safe-for-all These laws were created, “After these legal victories, the Kohanaiki ‘Ohana worked to create a new law in the state of Hawaii to require Cultural Impact Statements along with Environmental Impact Statements for all future large-scale development. Act 50, the Cultural Impact Statement Law was adopted in 2000.” https://kohanaikiohana.org/legal-victories Punalu'u is the Hawaiian people's heritage and their Cultural Practices there WILL be violated if this development is allowed because it goes against the Cultural Impact Statement Law the https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2020/bills/SB3152_.HTM Mahalo, Sincerely, Rebecca Melendez