HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0187.035 2020-2022 From: Melanie Wassman
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 9:15 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Res. 81-21: MAGIC SANDS OF LA'ALOA N ,
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Aloha Commissioner and County Council Members, --- -< ,
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My name is Melanie Wassman and I am here to give my statement on
Res. 81-21: MAGIC SANDS OF LA'ALOA
TMK 7-7-004:063 Land Area (Acreage): 8.814 acres
Thank you for your continued attention by listening to my testimonies on the importance of
preserving Magic Sands of La'aloa.
This lot is directly mauka of Pahoehoe Beach Park. This would not only enlarge the park, it
would ensure its safety from flood waters that flow through this property. As it is vital to
stop flow as I mentioned in Holualoa Village to protect our village and water quality below. It
is vital to have green space near the ocean, to slow down water and filter our rain water into
our aquifer system.
50 Condo units were about to be built here and it was deterred by strong community efforts.
This land has many archeological structures and burials to be preserved and protected. We
have unfortunately lost many due to developers whom "mistakenly"
destroyed archeological sites in Kona and around our island. We have a chance at saving
these, learning from them, and empowering our local community to understand who_came
before us and the culture the makes Hawaii so special.
This lot if purchased would preserve 8.814 acres. It has the potential for cultural impact
along with natural walking paths for the community to enjoy. IF purchased together
with Res. 82-21: PAHOEHOE OF LA'ALOA, 29.8 acres, it could have significant impact on the
preservation of our precious archeological and burial sites on both parcels. Also creating a
much more significant hiking experience.
The impact to our community, tourism and our next generation out weights for me the quick
monetary impact of expensive luxury condominiums that threaten our ocean water quality
due to sewage leakage and mishaps. Not to mention visual disruption. Our community is
bombarded with wealthy snowbirds that have the opportunity to own multiple homes while
leaving not many opportunities for local first time home owners while increasing property
value that impacts locals directly. At the same these developments have taken our culture
and sense of place with its change. This is where open green space can nourish our people.
If our ocean is not welcoming to tourist and becomes a health and safety issue more often
than it is already, our economy will tank as we have seen during COVID lock down. We
cannot fish out of a reef that is too weak or dead to uphold a proper ecosystem. Green open
space matters as it has a direct relationship to our ocean. Big Island is young and
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porous. Water from the mountains rush down quickly with very little filtration, especially
here in Kona. We have no clay and we do not much soil.
For me, $6 million, more or less, spent on saving ALL the properties up for voting today is
less then the damage of development, less expensive than possible flood damage due to
development, loss of culture, threat to future tourist industry, fishing, and Hawaii turning into
what looks and feels like Florida with mountains.
Thank you for your time and I hope our hearts can be alined to create a thriving culture and
community. As a community advocate it would be my pleasure to help problem solve with
the community at large in how to preserve these parcels in a way that is the most impactful
for future generations to come.
Mahalo for your time, your heart and your efforts in supporting these parcels today.
Melanie Wassman
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