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The second issue has to do with ground contamination from prior use. Prior use for the area as a
<br />service station and garage is undisputed. There, there are statements from former employees that
<br />dumping of chemicals into the ground was routinely done. Now, keep in mind that the service
<br />station garage was built circa 1954, and rules, regulations, and enforcement of any kind of
<br />chemical dumping at that time was very lax. The attitude towards environmental pollution was
<br />very different from it is today. There is no evidence of any cleanup or examination of such
<br />chemicals in the soil. Now, this is not the same area, not the same area as the underground
<br />storage tanks which were in fact removed, and the immediate surrounding area was remediated.
<br />It’s not the same area, okay? It’s a different area.
<br />
<br />The next item is the use of cesspools and the effects of leaching of its existing contaminants by
<br />the cess—cesspool effluent. Now, if, if there are in fact contaminants in the ground from the
<br />previous use, the use of cesspool may very reasonably cause leaching of those chemicals either
<br />into the groundwater or into the ocean. It’s not like a septic system which is enclosed. The
<br />cesspool may in fact cause any residual contaminants to flow.
<br />
<br />MIYASATO: Mr. Nakaji, could you please summarize?
<br />
<br />NAKAJI: Next issue is view planes. The, the ocean can be seen even from the highway, even
<br />with a limit of 20 feet, it’s not gonna, it’s not gonna prevent the, the view plane from being
<br />disturbed. Traffic, ingress, egress, that is very close to a blind curve, very hazardous. One also
<br />needs to ask whether additional residential lots are available. The County CDP for Hāmākua,
<br />although is not finished, consistently provide, provides for maintaining the country ambiance of
<br />the area. That summarizes my statement, Mr. Chairman.
<br />
<br />MIYASATO: Thank you. Commissioners, any questions? Thank you. Mrs. Matsuda.
<br />
<br />MATSUDA: Thank you. My name is Akiko Matsuda, and I live at 29-2091 Old Māmalahoa
<br />Highway in Wailea, Hilo side of the Hakalau Veterans Park. I’m the owner of Akiko’s Buddhist
<br />thth
<br />Bed and Breakfast. Our 17 annual mochi pounding was Sunday, December 28, and we are
<br />grateful that Steve Shropshire came and participated. Mahalo, Steve! You and the two Chinese
<br />gentlemen you were with experienced a special diversity of nationalities, ages, residents—some
<br />born and raised in Hawai‛i and new residents. It was a day open to anyone, and we guess that at
<br />least 500 people came throughout the day parking at Hakalau Park and walking down the street
<br />to Wailea. Vendors were asked to make a $20 donation, most gave some money, some gave all,
<br />mochi pounding is supported by anonymous donors and generous vendors and a multitude of
<br />friends. It has been done for 17 years now simply to perpetuate cultural tradition, to bring
<br />human beings together, and to bring out the best in us all. The spirit of kōkua, the spirit of aloha,
<br />the spirit of our community working together. We have known your spirit, Steve, your drive.
<br />The time you invited us to hike up Hakalau Gulch so you could share your vision of an eco-tour
<br />trail. As sick as you were that day, raining as it was, and slipping and falling into the stream, you
<br />continued on. Like your late father shared with me, as a child, you have always kept going,
<br />never stopping, always pushing ahead.
<br />
<br />We all have the power to be healers, guides, transformers, visionaries and all—as well as
<br />stranglers of human spirit and the spirit of place. We all have power and choices. I request on
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<br />EXHIBIT A
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