HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0620.021 2022-2024 p / Counc (,
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From: Hannah Hartmann
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2023 4:05 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written Testimony re: Resolution 372-23
Aloha e Chairperson Kimball and members of the Hawaii County Council,
My name is Hannah Hartmann, I am a bioremediation ecologist residing in Papa`ikou. I oppose Resolution 372-23, and
strongly urge the council to reject the funds requested by the mayor to hire outside counsel to fight Hui Malama
Honokohau v. County of Hawai'i. Rather, I encourage the council to approve the restricted use of the funds for the sole
purpose of hiring outside counsel to negotiate a settlement with 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 Fund has now set the precedent for Kealakehe and many other groundwater
polluters. I urge the council to guide Mayor Roth in a different direction, and avoid making the same mistake as Mayor
Victorino. Please do not approve the funds requested by the mayor and instead redirect the conversation
towards settling the litigation and upgrading the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mahalo nui for your time and dedication to our mokupuni.
Malama pono,
Hannah Hartmann o-
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Ref. To: Et L11111
•1 Ref. Date nEC 0 6 2023