HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0620.060 2022-2024 P/Courtci(
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From: Sus Tanaka p,
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2023 9:36 PM c 'CD
To: Council Testimony '
Subject: Resolution 372-23 Lir ..<
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Sr;
Aloha Chair Kimball and members of the Hawaii County Council,
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My name is Susan Tanaka and I am from Kailua-Kona. I am writing to you today to urge
you to reject the funds requested by the mayor to hire outside counsel to fight Hui Malama
Honokohau v. County of Hawaii and instead approve the restricted use of the funds 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.
Please 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,
Susan Tanaka
Comm. N.. KO• 111)
Ref. To:
Ref. Dote ' - 6 2023
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