Comm 26-065 - LOS 26-08 Mills, Peter

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Comm 26-065 4-March-2026 TO: PONC Commissioners Re: HTMK (3) 8-1-027:021 Aloha PONC Commissioners, My name is Peter Mills, and I humbly submit this testimony in strong support of finding a way to preserve-tube system)in the TMK referenced above.I have been a professor of anthropology for the last 29 years at the University of Hawand I have seen many exciting discoveries on Hawaiwherespecial conditions have creatednatural or cultural time capsules. None of thosediscoveries come close to the rarity and potential extent of environmentalhistory contained inthe deposits in this newly discovered tube. Tropical environments only preserve ancient pollen and DNA from flora and fauna in very special conditions, mostly in constantly saturated bogs or sink-holes. The semi-arid Kona coast is one of the least likely locations for finding excellent preservation of biota that are thousandsof years old. Unlike open tube systems, this sealed lava tube has been protectedfrom fluctuating relative humidity that destroys mosts organics from pollen to bird bones. The stable environment hasprovidedunprecedented preservation conditions for the Kona Coast. Whilethe early press releases have focused on the staggeringly well-preserved subfossils of extinct endemic birds(which are truly remarkable in themselves),thepreserved biota in the sediments on the cave floor may be even more spectcular.Theserare surviving relics shed light on an ancient ecological system that we still know so very little about. Studying thesedeposits requires a timeand maintaining the stratigraphic integrity of the abundant sedimentary deposits. When a site such as this islost, there is little chanceto expect that a similar discovery willbe forthcoming. We hope that the county can work with the landowner in a fair and mutually productive way to preserve this unique natural resource. The economic value of an agriculturally zoned 1.434-acre parcelis miniscule in comparison with the cultural, historical, and scientific value of this lava tube.Wecan either preserve this siteto better understand are priviledged to live, or we can let such an incredible record of s natural ecosystem sufferthe consequences of our desire for better profit margins from modern development.Our legacy as stewards of the land is at stake here. For educators and students, preserved cave systems provide opportunities for place-based learning that connect geology, ecology, and cultural history. Maintaining their integrity allows future generations to experience and learn from these environments in ways that cannot be replicated once altered. Because subterranean systems often lack obvious surface visibility, their significance can be underestimated in parcel-based evaluations.I respectfully urge the Commission, particularly as it considers amendments to its rules and prioritization processes, to ensure that caves and lava tubes are clearly recognized as qualifying resources deserving proactive protection.