HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0372.117 2024-2026Sent:
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----- Original Message -----
From: Diane Ware
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 9:13 AM
Diane Ware
Council Testimony
RE: Bill 66 and Climate Change in GP 2045 Draft 2
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 9:09 AM
To: Council Remote Testimony <councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Bill 66 and Climate Change in GP 2045 Draft 2
Aloha Chair and Council Members,
My name is Diane Ware from Volcano, Ka'u Moku. I am very concerned about the climate crisis in the Hawaiian islands
and particularly in my Volcano area. I support the recognition of Climate and efforts to mitigate the crisis moving
forward. In Volcano we are losing a multitude of precious'ohia trees and understory native species like hapu'u. This
wasn't the case decades ago when I first moved here. The rainforest is receiving much less rain and as the forest dies
from droughts there is less rain. As the Hawaiians say "Rains follow the forest". They understood the upper forest was
akua was the source of their water or watershed upon which life is dependent. Now we have thousands of residents
dependent upon water catchment and many are needing to order water from haulers. This is not only expensive but will
drain the aquifers at lower elevations. This is not sustainable as housing and usage increases and Volcano's new housing
is exploding leading to many residents complaining about pin to pin clearing of the forest in the Biosphere Reserve
Region here.
Climate mitigation must also address increased development and lack of infrastructure including water and sewage.
Sewage treatment for water recycling is also needed. Revising Chapter 10 to minimize native forest destruction is also
critical.
Climate change is real and I support efforts to address the climate crisis we now are experiencing.
Malama Pono,
Comm. L4q.V 1.
Diane Ware Ief. To: -
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