2025-01-11 Rebecca Melendez Testimony

Home

22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected and automated vehicles. The Big Island has power issues and cannot handle all its current power needs.It does not have extra power to connect many electric vehicles,which will only add to its power issues.Plus,if there is a big storm and we lose power,those electric cars cannot run,their batteries do not decompose well,and the island needs a new way to take care of rubbish because there is only one landfill on the island.These can will only add to the many issues the island already has. "Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years of capacity left to take in trash.But the island still wrestles with significant issues like plastic products that are no longer being recycled."httns://www.waste360.com/landfill/Hawaii-deals-with-burgeoning-waste-management-problem "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/Biaisland/comments/lbnuar3/hawaiian electric is reporting that several large/?rdt=52660 Page 130 25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. How will"clustering developments"reduce the cost of utilities?We all use the same power whether we live clustered up,like the county wants,or not. The solution to help power the island is not"clustering"everyone.It is asking homeowners/resorts/vacation rentals to purchase solar panels,use wind turbines,or use other natural ways to create their own power.If everyone tries to step up,we can all make good chances together. This petition offers other solutions https,//www.change.ora/helli-big-island-resourcesand-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who4ive-here-and-visit 25.6 Develop short-and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan. What are"capital improvement programs"? 25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs. What is their Asset Management Program? 25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of public utilities. What is an"Impact Fees Ordinance"? Page 132 26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable end-use. What do they consider"the most valuable end-use"for water? The Rosewood Resort waters its white coral road to keep the dust down.They use hundreds,if not thousands,of gallons to water their road,even when there are signs to conserve water.Has the county looked at the resort's wasteful water use?Are the resort's water use more`valuable"than residence use? 26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects(200+units)in the North Kohala,South Kohala,North Kona,South Kona,and Ka`u Districts to be as water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation,recharge,and reuse measures to reduce the water footprint. How can 200+units be water-neutral?Do they want to develop more resorts that seem to use water as they want,even when it's incredibly wasteful,and the county doesn't look at this? 26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private water systems. What does this mean,`for private water systems"?Are they planning private water systems used only by private communities or resorts? Why hasn't the county considered new inventions to help the island's water issues? Inventions that capture grey water to use in toilets httns://mofrimd.com/innovative-products-desineedcapture-rmse-gray-water.html I'm sure there are many new inventions that could help the island if they only start to look for them. Page 133 26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield,present and future demand,alternative sources of water,guidelines,and policies for the issuing of water commitments. What is their"water master plan"? 26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for commercial,industrial,and residential properties. What would"management guidelines"look like?Would resorts be prioritized over residences? Page 137 27.6 Pollution shall be prevented,abated,and controlled at levels that will protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of appropriate Federal,State,and County standards 27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas(UGA)with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth. 27.9 Prioritize developing a multiprouged approach to wastewater infrastructure funding,including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system expansion,improvements,and new development 27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and functioning to maximize system efficiencies,prevent accidental leaks or spills,and provide sanitary,reliable wastewater treatment that is not negatively impacting natural resources. They don't mention the pollution that cesspools are causing daily.People can use many kinds of toilets to stop using cesspools today. Why hasn't the county considered new inventive toilets to use to help the wastewater system?Like the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet to help stop pollution from cesspools and help with the wastewater system?httns J/cinderellaec om/en-us There are many new inventive toilets these days that can help the island's wastewater system,and the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet can also help conserve water. Page 138 27.15 Prioritize the use of gray water in areas connected to County water and not connected to County wastewater. Why doesn't the county start looking for new inventions to help the island instead of traditional sources when the island's population is steadily growing and needs new ideas to help?They could start considering using inventions like these: httns://ecofriend.cnm/innovative-products-desineedcapture-reuse-gray-water.html httns://newsmom.ucla.edu/stories/gray-water-clean-up-yomm-cohen-271642 https://www.greenprophet.com/2Ol M4/10-inventions-to-save-earths-water/ 27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in implementation. 27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community facilities district(CFD)or tax increment financing(TIF) to aid in implementation.