2018-01-18 Leeward Exh B (AMEND SMA 412, REZ 17-225 & SMA 17-068))

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on the southern part of the property in the ‘a‘ā flow. While a 15-foot buffer slightly better than a ten-foot buffer, the Ala Kahakai believes the entire trail network and the associated sites, including the undisturbed lava in between, make up a unique heavily modified cultural landscape worthy of preservation as a whole. Regarding the coastal lateral trail, there is still some need for work with the landowner and the applicant. Currently, the signs that direct folks laterally on the coastline are located makai of the current certified shoreline, directing people to places where now during high tide they’re walking in water there, you know, it’s not the most inviting scenario at the time. I do appreciate that the landowner is willing to work with opening up that to a broader area for pedestrians to walk through. In terms of natural resources, the anchialine pools, of course, are extremely important on this. And they also speak to ground water. They also speak to the low elevation of the area. Again, there is a threatened and endangered species on the property. There are also two other endangered species that have been identified nearby, and this is the anthracinus yellow-faced bee, as well as the Hawaiian hoary bat. I myself have seen the Hawaiian hoary bat in the daytime in the lava field in Kīholo State Park. Recent king tides kind of give us an idea of the, of how our shorelines are going to do, as well as th anchialine ponds. On May 25 of last year king tides came through and the main anchialine pond, as you can see in blue up there, basically that lower, that lower broader area was saturated with water, and we have photos I believe in our testimony, or our written comments, that are in your packet. That being said, the ten-foot and even the 30-foot buffer in some places, the ten-foot at least, is going to have troubles with that at least on the Lava Lava Beach Club side, because already it’s pretty close. So 30 feet is, I think there is already parking areas in that spot. UNGER: Would you summarize, please? GMIRKIN: Certainly. I’ll summarize just by talking about the visual impacts. Again, this is an incredible landscape. You can clearly see the project now from Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. I believe that the site visit will hopefully illustrate what the impacts of two-story buildings to that area of natural beauty as called out in the County General Plan. So, thank you so much for your time. Ala Kahakai recommends the Leeward Planning Commission deny the proposed subdivision and rezone, and Ala Kahakai requests that the applicant consider not subdividing and maintaining the current zoning. Thank you. ARLHAC: Aloha. My name is Francois Arlhac. I am a guest here in the kingdom of Hawai‘i and a fulltime resident of Waikoloa Beach Resort since 2005. Why am I here today? Why are all of us here today? This is a very easy decision, not a hard one. On one hand we have a historic Hawaiian site, a bay that belongs to the community, and a beautiful and delicate ecosystem that is home to countless species, including protected turtles, a place that we want to preserve for all. And by the way, if anyone here in this room truly believe that construction would stop because a sea turtle comes to rest on the beach, show of hand? I didn’t think so. 25 EXHIBIT B