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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0074.065 2024-2026 P/Counci l Res.51-25 COMM.?u From: Rebecca Melendez Sent: Friday, January 31, 2025 6:19 PM To: Council Testimony c2 Subject: Please Oppose Res. 51-25, Bill 17, Bill 18, Res. 57-25W Dear County Council, It is your responsibility to know how all the new developments and those that have already been approved for years to come are affecting the island's resources today. Please see this petition that has 557 signatures, asking you to look at what is happening to the island's resources as of today before you continue to approve even more developments because we are still having power outages and water and landfill issues.This petition will give you many News articles that prove the Big Island resources are having issues today https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe- for-all-who-live-here-and-visit When will the focus turn to addressing the island's resources before you keep approving more developments? Being able to have power,water, and a place to put our rubbish is for the safety of all who live here and this needs to be a priority. Just last week, an extra 100 rooms were approved for a hotel, yet there has been no change to improve the island's resources. For the reasons I just stated please OPPOSE Res. 51-25. Please OPPOSE Bill 17 because they want to change from Agriculture to Urban. This will make it so they will not have to do an Environmental Impact State and this is important for the island to have these performed for the safety of the land and the community. Plus,the resources on the island need to be addressed before adding even more urban areas. Please OPPOSE Bill 18 for the exact reason as Bill 17 and the fact that the island doesn't have the resources for all these new developments. There are years worth of developments that have been approved for the future and yet the island resources have not been addressed. Please Oppose Res. 57-25 because there are many other things the island needs to spend this kind of money on. For example, there are no working bathrooms at Old A's, and the sewage system needs to be addressed desperately. Being able to give out Electric Citations that will cost over$249,000 the first year and over$241,000 every year after, the island needs bathrooms and having a proper sewage system, among other things. Bathrooms for the people should be more of a priority. Thank you, Rebecca Melendez U. ksqtl c, FE L 1 - From: Rebecca Melendez Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 2:54 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Please Oppose Res. 51-25, Bill 17, Bill 18, Res. 57-25 Please Oppose Res. 51-25, Bill 17, Bill 18, Res. 57-25 because the Big Island doesn't have the resources for more developments. The focus needs to turn to improving the island's resources, not continuing to add more developments when there are years worth of already approved developments and the island's resources are having issues today. There are now 573 people who agree with that approving more developments will be dangerous because the island doesn't have the resources. READ MY PETITION: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe- for-all-who-live-here-and-visit We stand to keep The Big Island in a place where the Island's resources and infrastructure are safe for the entire population and visitors. We stand and say homes for locals should MATTER more than mass vacation rentals. There are many years of new developments that have already been approved for the future and Big Island's resources need to be addressed before even more developments are approved for the safety of ALL who live here and visit. Because the island's resources are being severally impacted as of today, for example the island needs another way to deal with rubbish because News articles report the landfill needs to be replaced within 20 years. Please read the articles below with Solution Ideas that could help address Big Island resource issues. News Articles: 1) Hawaii Deals with Burgeoning Waste Management Problem As landfills face closure and waste-to-energy projects stall, various counties in Hawaii are dealing with waste management issues. Waste360 Staff January 10, 2020 "Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years of capacity left to take in trash. But the island still wrestles with significant issues like plastic products that are no longer being recycled." https;//www.waste360.com/landfill/hawaii- deals—with-burgeoning-waste-management-problem 2) "Big Island Now readers seem to agree that there's likely no single solution for slowing down the timeline of the West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill reaching capacity. The West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill, the only remaining landfill on the Big Island, is forecast to reach capacity within the next 20 to 25 years." https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/17/big- i_sla_nd-now-poll-no-27-results-more-than-one-solution-needed-to-help-extend-life-of- west-hawaii-landfiIll 3) Hawaii Island Has Decades of Landfill Space But Still Faces Challenges In Dealing With Its Waste Hawai'i Public Radio Published January 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM HST "Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years of capacity left to take in trash. But the island still wrestles with significant issues like plastic products that are no longer being recycled. For the past four decades, trash from the east side of Hawaii Island has been dumped in a landfill outside of Hilo. But now trash from all parts of the island is being trucked to a facility north of Kona." https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2020-01-09/hawaii-island- has-decades-of-landfill-space-but-still-faces-challenges-in-dealing-with-its-waste 4)"What happens to Hawaii Island's trash and recyclables? BY MICHELLE BRODER VANdyke HAWAII ISLAND PUBLISHED 11:30 AM ET DEC. 17, 2022 By Michelle Broder Vandyke Hawaii Island PUBLISHED 11:30 AM ET Dec. 1The future of the landfill The West Hawaii Landfill will be full in about 20 years. Finding a location for the next landfill is a concern, according to the DEM officials. They said it will be challenging to find a location for a future landfill because of stringent regulations and costs related to planning, environmental regulations, design and construction that will take many years to complete. It will also require community support." https:f/spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2022/12/15/what- happens-to-hawaii-island-s-trash-and-recyclables-- 5) "The overwhelming plastic waste Hawaii visitors leave behind By Natasha BourlinAug 24, 2023 Hawaii saw more than 9 million visitors last year. Those tourists' first stops are often big-box and convenience stores, where they buy bottled water, plastic sand toys, single-use bodyboards, noodles, floaties and inner tubes for their trips." https://www.sfgate.comjhawaii/article/plastic-waste-hawaii-visitors-Ieave- be_hind-18286076.php 6) "A county commission drafts ordinance aiming to ban recyclables at West Hawai'i landfill By Megan Moseley September 6, 2023 • 1:00 AM HST * Updated September 6, 2023 • 2:02 PM With the Hilo Landfill permanently closed in 2020, the clock is ticking for the island's sole dump. Commission chairperson Georjean Adams said it's a good time to start looking into 2 solutions.." https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/06/new-draft-ordinance-aims-to-ban- recyclables-at-west-hawaii-landfill/ Solution Ideas: Look into different solutions for the landfill issue such as, "Benefits of waste-to-energy 1 . Waste-to-energy technology offers an alternative to landfills, providing a cleaner, more efficient way of disposing of waste while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. https://biotrux.com/what-can-we-use-instead-of-landfills] Different Alternative to landfill https://bettermeetsreality.com/the-different- aIternat_ives-to-landfill-waste-management-options/ Top 29 countries that have been efficient in minimizing waste https:/jwww.openaccessgovernment.org/which-countries-are-the-most-efficient- at-minimising- waste/96037/#:--:text=Switzerland%20have%20100%25%20waste%20recovery%2C%20des ite%20being%20in,while%20the%20other%2047%25%20is%20incinerated%20for%20enera y The island has a lot of rain but it seems it is not going to were we can use it. 7) " Hawai'i County issues mandatory 25% water restriction for North Kona August 7, 2023 • 5:21 PM HST A mandatory 25% water restriction has been issued for various communities in North Kona due to the failure of the HonokOhau Deepwell over the weekend." https:]/bigislandnow.com/2023/08/07/hawaii-county-issues-mandatory-25- water-restriction-for-north-kona/ 8) "Hawai'i Water Supply Closely Monitored As Severe Drought Continues by Big Island Video Newson Nov 6, 2023 at 3:28 pm STORY SUMMARY HAWAI'I COUNTY - Officials say a special focus will be placed on the South Kohala Water System, which is more susceptible to drought conditions." https:/jwww.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/11 j06/water-supply-closely- monitored-as-hawai%CA%BBi-under-severe-drought/ Solution Ideas: A water solution would be to give tax breaks to every home in a raining area who installs a water catchment system. It rains a lot in many areas all over the island, can you pipe it to where it to where we can use it? Because it usually rains at the top. 3 9) "Big Island Concerns About Water Quality Prompt A Lawsuit Over A Kona Sewage Plant Kealakehe sewage plant discharges more than 1 million gallons of wastewater into a lava pit near the ocean. By Paula Dobbyn / February 6, 2024 Settlement talks are scheduled in an environmental lawsuit involving a county-operated Big Island sewage plant in Kona." https://www.civilbeat.orq/2024/02/concerns-about-water- quality-prompt-a-lawsuit-over-a-kona-sewage-plantl 10) "Researchers find sewage from an oceanfront Big Island community reaches nearshore waters Hawai'i Public Radio I By Russell Subiono, Sophia McCullough Published December 20, 2021 at 5:56 PM HST There are nearly 50,000 cesspools on the Big Island, with tens of thousands posing a risk to water resources, according to the Hawai'i Department of Health." https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2021-12-20/researchers- find-sewage-from-an-oceanfront-big-island-community-reaches-nearshore-waters 11 ) "Kona coast faces stark wastewater tradeoffs Current situation There are approximately 88,000 cesspools across the state, releasing more than 200,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day to the environment. https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2021/09/10/kona-stark-wastewater- tradeoff Solution Ideas: A solution to stop cesspool ocean waste pollution is give a tax break to every home who gets the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet and stops using their cesspools https://incineratingtoilets.com/us/product/cinderella-comfort/ because this toilet can stop human waste pollution today and it doesn't need to be attached to the sewer system. There are many different kinds of toilets that can be used other than cesspools that do not need to be attached to the sewer system. Please make these toilets a priority to stop cesspool daily pollution. 12) "BIG ISLAND NEWS HECO restores power after initiating emergency outages on Big Island by: Elizabeth 'Ufi Posted:Jan 30, 2024 / 09:43 AM HST Updated:Jan 30, 2024 / 04:15 PM HST An unexpected loss of several large Hawaii Electric generators left some residents on Big Island without power for parts of the morning on Tuesday,Jan. 30." https://www.khon2.com/big- island-news/heco-initiates-30-min-rolling-outages-after-loss-of-generators/ 13) Hawai'i State News Update: Hawaiian Electric initiates rolling outages throughout Big Island February 13, 2024 • 5:23 PM HST * Updated February 14, 2024 . 4:21 PM 4 The emergency outages are being initiated in various areas around the entire island to prevent loss of power to an even greater number of customers. The timing and extent of the outages will depend on the amount of demand on the system and the availability of generators." https://bigislandnow.com/2024/02J13/hawaii-island-customers-asked-to- reduce-electricity-use/ 14) "LOCAL NEWS HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night." https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/ 15) "Here's how power outages can have repercussions for Hawai'i's water supply Hawai'i Public Radio I By Savannah Harriman-Pote Published February 13, 2024 at 10:59 AM HST Water departments on O'ahu and Hawai'i Island have advised customers to conserve water ahead of possible storm-related power outages this month. But what does the power grid have to do with the water supply? It is impossible to separate Hawai'i's power system from its water system, said Kawika Uyehara, deputy director of Hawai'i County's Department of Water Supply." https:J/www.hawaiipublicradio.orq/local-news/2024-02-13/residents-on-hawaii- island-and-oahu-are-asked-to-conserve-water-amid-power-outages 16) U.S. Hawaii is "on the verge of a greater catastrophe," locals say, as water crisis continues By Li Cohen Updated on: April 11, 2024 / 8:23 AM EDT / CBS News In Hawaii, one of the most important sayings is ola i ka wai, "water is life" — a phrase that not only sums up what it means to exist on an island, but what it means to live, period. But now, one of the largest of the island chain's land masses is facing a triple threat to its sole freshwater source, and if it isn't addressed soon, one community member says, "we're in deep trouble." htt.ps:J/www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-water-crisis-climate-change/ This is a map of Power Outages on the Big Island. This map wouldn't have been created if Power Outages were not a serious issue on island. https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/power-outagesIhawaii- island-outage-map 5 17) "Hawaiian Electric is reporting that several large generators on the Big Island are experiencing a range of issues and may lead to the need for rolling outages if supply does not meet demand." https:/jwww.reddit.com/r/BigIsland/comments/1bnuar3/hawaiian electric is reporting that several large/?rdt=52660 18) "NewsHawaiian Electric asking Big Island customers to conserve power due to down generators March 25, 2024 • 11 :49 AM HST According to the utility company, this is an usual situation as the large generators are experiencing mechanical problems resulting in a reduced output. The largest generator, an independent power producer that sells electricity to Hawaiian Electric, is offline with significant mechanical issues. The plant generates 60 megawatts or nearly one-third of the typical peak demand of 180 megawatts on the island." https://bigislandnow.com/2024/03/25/hawaiian-electric-asking-big-island-customers-to- conserve-power-due-to-down-generators/ Solution Ideas: The island gets sun almost year round on the west side, a big solar energy plant is an idea to help with power on island, and give tax breaks to homes who have solar panels. The island has a lot of wind in some areas, give tax breaks to homes that put up a wind turbine for their home https://www.top5-usa.com/5kw-wind-turbine?targetid=kwd- 84457499407286:1oc- 1 90&matchtype=b&device=c&campaignid=436128263&creative=&adgroupid=135130152083 9587&feeditemid=&loc physical ms=46213&loc interest ms=&network=o&devicemodel.=& placement=&keyword=$top%205kw%20wind%20turbine&target=&adposition=&trackid._=u s_a_II top5 bing&mId=H149003CQN&msclkid=73110b126afe17dec9a36dff7cbaa414 The articles above show that Big Island resources are currently being negatively affected by all the developments, and there are years of new developments that has already been approved for the future. Resources issues need to be addressed before even more developments are approved that will add to the issues. 6 We stand to say CREATE SOLUTIONS TO THE ISLAND'S RESOURCES before approving more development because this is an island, and if there is not enough resources for the developments that are here now, how will there be enough resources for the developments you have approved for the future? We stand and say NO DEVELOPING ON BURIAL GROUND. The history of the island needs to be preserved and the burial grounds need to be respected at all costs. We stand and ask to make it mandatory for vacation rentals and ALL resorts and hotels to provide drinking water machines to their guests to help stop all the empty water bottle waste on the island. We stand and ask to make it mandatory for vacation rentals and ALL resorts and hotels to provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash in bulk containers rather than continuously using small, different containers for every new guest, to help stop increase rubbish. There are mostly only 2 lanes throughout the entire Big Island and some places where cars cannot pull over if an ambulance needs to get by and traffic has seriously increased. If the island's population keeps increasing there will be hours and hours of constant serious traffic in the near future, how will ambulances get by in emergencies? Please address the traffic issue before approving more developments because the island doesn't have safe infrastructure for high traffic. What if there is a tsunami and people need to get to higher ground? Will they be able to get to higher ground in a safe time without the infrastructure to accommodate the increase in population? We stand and ask that you start increasing the infrastructure to accommodate the increased traffic before you approve more developments. We ask for another hospital to be built, as well as a trauma center and dive chamber to be put on the island to accommodate all types of injuries because of all the years of new future development that you have already approved, these buildings will be needed. Alii Drive has only two lanes and there are many developments in progress on this road, and we ask that you stop approving more developments on Alii Drive, to learn how all these future developments will impact this small road before continuing to approve more developments. This is an island and it would help the island to have a building stipulation in where the developer has to sell a high percentage to Hawaiians, and locals who have lived here for many 7 years, to help keep the increase in population at a reasonable rate for the island's resources and infrastructure. We stand to say what are you doing about the growth in homeless on the island? We stand and ask that this be taken seriously. What about parking? All of the Big Island towns have parking issues, especially during high tourist seasons and especially Ironman. Reasons People Signed Petition Supporter voices Help Big Island Resources and Infrastructure Stay Safe For ALL Who Live Here and Visit Kaleo 3 days ago Waipio valley is running out of water due to most of the north side of the island taking water from Kohala mountain for new development. This will kill the native wetlands, and one day fires will cover the forests in the mountain and the valley. Please stop this development before it's too late. Lily 6 months ago Hawaii island's infrastructure has already been overwhelmed by tourism, at the expense of local families being able to function and survive. We don't need or want more tourism development. ben 6 months ago Kona has been my home since I was born, and I refuse to see it be destroyed so one person (or school, in this instance) can make a little more money when they have so 8 much land available to them at their fingertips. Keep our waters, animals, and our aina protected. We can't afford for this development to come to fruition, lest we lose even more of ourselves and culture. I'm so tired and hurt at all the desecration that Hawai'i has had to endure. Marcy 7 months ago There is too much exploitation of precious land and resources Sherilyn 10 months ago Big Island needs healing and restoration so the people can live off of our own recourses. We must make sure our future generations will be cared for. We the people of this lands should not have to change our ways or lifestyle to accommodate others from the outside. Don't change us to your ways of liking to live. Don't like how we live then don't move here. Leasing our lands for $1 a year?! Can the people move in on your land for $1 a year without any permission?! We don't need no more improvements for infrastructure. Send everyone back to where they come from. Including ones with claims of being "LOCAL". Give all the STOLEN lands back to the people/descendants of their origin. Ones whom have KOKO or lineage are the true STEWARDS. Ocean and mountain access are limited due to outsiders buying stolen lands and making their own rules. By doing this they are stopping KANAKA as we rely on recourses to feed our OHANA. Construction is causing too much DESTRUCTION to our lands that provides Kanaka food and water. Too much taking from the people of the lands. ENOUGH with the DESECRATION and DESTRUCTION of our lands from MAUKA to MAKAI. It's far beyond PILAU...This is abundance of HEWA! ! ! Read less Ryan 11 months ago There are too many reasons to list why I feeling strongly about immediately pumping the brakes on development island wide. It's irresponsible to continue what is happening. Please OPPOSE continuing to keep approving even more developments when the island's resources can .not handle the developments that are here, and there are more developments that you already approved for years to come. 9 Please, you are responsibilitie for all our lives, and for the safety of everyone who lives here, stop approving more developments than we have the resources for. Thank you, Rebecca Melendez io From: Rebecca Melendez Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 7:52 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Please Oppose Res. 51-25, Bill 17, Bill 18, Res. 57-25 Attachments: 20250201_095610.jpg; 20250122_180039.jpg; 20250124_135252.jpg; 20250124_ 153407jpg Please OPPOSE Res.51-25,Bill 17, Bill 18, Res.57-25 because the island doesn't have the infrastructure for even more developments,because there are years of already approved developments that haven't even started yet,and look at our traffic that keeps increasing monthly. It is your responsibility to understand how island and it's community is dealing with all the approved developments that are here and on the way. Please OPPOSE new developments because the island doesn't have infrastructure for anymore. Thank you, Rebecca Melendez 1 ft 4-- ti,A',e f", / dip`itirs, > r r `a T "�. • ` z. - r,hiiiit''./, ."',..-•f .. '1" _ a A i a eft'. M `•; 5 . r I. 4"A. o as F-% i�� #. 1• Y[ . A'•.. ► ~— I • rot . .„ , at,:(0,1 Alf • *T."It'' e4 1 .,,..,:.. , %:16 � __ , vir . _ _ 't „.4 . . !.... . ._. . _ , ,r.: _tw, -410.... .. III\,;� _ ,.... was .; sL 11.111 PUAPUAANUI-. • pis. ..-+w.'__ 1I d 1. , � e • ^� „to `*S b aka * , t t ,+ 1 '4r X 4. z at' t y -x ' x e a. 4r 4` � ` ' �!* 11 :: 404 i 1 g1` 1 `` 1'. L r_. 1 1 S .. vl • A _ 1 t ` 'y� '� F a.4, ,. --._ , »3 x •i aj } Tom# 1�, & ,..� ,' - _k � ,�� Si 1 T@ ...�,ia N; T -t - _IP