2019-01-28 South Kohala Community Development Plan Action Committee Minutes - FINAL

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may have inaccur ately labeled the historic areas of the town and that the affordable housing, sidewalks, park, and connector road have never been realized. She spoke regarding the two CIP appropriation requests in the letter and described their history. She encouraged Act ion Committee members to continue to push for funding. She suggested that Action Committee members utilize the PONC fund as a mechanism for preserving Waimea’s history , in particular , Minuke‘ole Park . RECOGNITION OF OUTGO ING MEMBERS : Planning Department st aff thanked outgoing members George Robertson and Eddie Akau for their years of service on the Action Committee. George Robertson was unable to attend the meeting however . B oth outgoing members were offered certificates of appreciation from the Mayor ' s o ff ice and kind words from those present . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Vice - Chair Smith moved to approve the minutes of the September 24 , 2018 meeting as submitted . Second by Committee Member McLaughlin . The motion to approve the mi nute s as submitted pa ssed with 6 votes aye, 0 vot es nay [ Committee Member Licoan was not present at the time of the vote ] . BUSINESS: 2. Presentation by Erica Perez from the Coral Reef Alliance. Erica Perez gave a presentation regarding the Coral Reef Alliance ’s effort to assist the Puakō com munity in upgrading their wastewater systems. She described the length their organization has gone to identify the cause and extent of the pollution in the nearshore water area. They compared contaminant levels to t he EPA guidelines and the water quality c onsidered healthy for coral reefs. They also conducted dye tests to track the flow of wastewater into the ocean. Their research indicates high levels of pollutants that are harmful to nearshore ocean life. Their tests also revealed no measurable difference in pollution output when comparing cesspools, septic tanks, and Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs). Additionally, Puakō was found to have higher pollution than the resort areas and was found to have a low level of resiliency, based on their resiliency criteria. Ms. Perez went on to compare the different solutions that had been identified in the process. Act 125 was pa ssed in 2017 to mandate the replacement of cesspools before 2050. Act 132 established a working group to identify priority cesspool replacement areas across the state. She explained their goal is to establish a County owned collection system with financing through Chapter 12 of the Hawai‘i County Code, explore the potential to connect to the Kalahuipua’a Lagoon facility, and to overall make the project afford able to homeowners in Puakō. Action Committee members and members of the public asked questions and engaged in discussion. Councilmember Tim Richards shared that the infrastructure improvements in Puakō could serve as a poster child for other areas that ha ve the same pollution issues. Erica Perez’s presentation slides, [ C ommunication N umber 2019 - 0 5 ] may be viewed and downloaded at the following website: http://records.co.hawaii.hi. us/weblink/1/doc/99032/Page1.aspx More information about the Puakō cesspool replacement project and the Coral Reef Alliance may be found on the organization ’ s website: https://coral.org/puako/ 3. Communication Number 2018 - 12: Action Committee Recommen dation Letter. www.hiplanningdept.com southkohala @hawaiicounty.gov Pag e 2