HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0131.004 2020-2022 1
ill
CNK 1` 1
Barbara Bell
9-1636 Puako Beach Drive, Kamuela, 96743
March 1, 2021
To: Hawaii County Council Chair and all members,
Re: Council Bill 25
1 respectfully ask that you accept the State monies of approximately $1.8 Million to be used
towards a community sewer project in Puako, South Kohala.
The Puako coastline is completely open to the public, with 9 public access points. The Puako
Community Association graciously pays for porta-potties at Paniau and shows considerable
ALOHA to keep these ocean access points available to all. The County does provide some
dumpsters for trash and for this we are grateful.
This well-loved end-of-the-road area is an unofficial park and is heavily used by residents of
Puako as well as residents from all over the island. And let's not forget, our visitors. While there
have been fewer lately, we still have serious water-quality issues in our near-shore waters. A -
community sewer system is the best solution, by far.
The last time I looked at the data, our near-shore waters were fantastic in front of the resorts
(Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid, Westin Hapuna, Mauna Kea) and on the edge of horrible along
the Puako stretch of coastline. This has been directly linked to the fractured rock allowing
wastewater from residents to enter the ocean without impediment. Yes, while cesspools are
horrible, septic tanks, and even Aerobic Treatment Units have not proven to be too much better.
Now that I am retired, I have much more time to enjoy the ocean, and it is incredibly sad to see
the seriously degraded reef. It is not just the `over-loving" of this coastline area; resort areas
have equally intensive use of the coastline. There are other issues such as over-fishing that
contribute to the degradation. However, untreated wastewater is the biggie. It deserves County
support, merely due to the amount of use allowed.
In my 40 years in Hawaii, I have watched the fish counts go down dramatically, and the corals
decrease significantly. It's actually amazing that we have what we do. I'm reminded of the
opening premise of Hamlet—where only a few players understand the past beauty and
righteousness and that the present is in a massively degraded state. We can do better! Let our
children and grandchildren experience good stewardship of our land and water.
NATURE CAN HEAL HERSELF—IF SHE IS ALLOWED! Please move forward with a
community wastewater system in order to protect our ocean and the health of our people.
Aloha, Sincerely,
Comm. .
Ref.To: p �