HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0620.009 2022-2024 P/Council
R65.Me23
CWMM.620
From: Carol I Ocean Rider (-)
c
Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2023 4:30 PM , n
To: Council Testimony c; .-f:
Subject: Wastewater
County Council,
My name is Carol Cozzi- Schmarr, a resident of Hawaii since 1985. I urge you to reject the
funds requested by the mayor to hire outside counsel to fight Hui Maiama HonokOhau v. County
of Hawaii and instead approve the restricted use of the funds for the sole purpose of hiring
outside counsel to negotiate a settlementwith Hui Malama Honokohau.
For decades, the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment plant has released millions of gallons
of treated sewage into groundwater that flows into our Honokohau Harbor, causing
irreversible damage to the surrounding nearshore waters and the countless lives that
depend on them.
Maui County spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over eight plus years fighting a
similar lawsuit over their Lahaina Wastewater Treatment Plant, to ultimately lose in the US
Supreme Court. County of Maui v. Hawai`i Wildlife Fundhas now set the precedent for Kealakehe
and many other groundwater polluters.
Please do not let Mayor Roth make the same mistake as Mayor Victorino. Do not approve
the funds requested by the mayor and use your powers to urge the administration to settle
the litigation, upgrade the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, and do what is right for
Hawai'i's environment and people.
Sincerely,
Carol Cozzi-Schmarr
73-1289 Kukuna st
Kailua-Kona_
Hawaii
96740
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1 Ref. Dote 4 C - 6 2023