HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0045.014 2002-2004 Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd,
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street,
Hilo 96720.
Testimony on the expansion of industria~Facreage in Pepe'ekeo
I am writing to oppose the proposed expansion of the industrial acreage in
Pepe'ekeo. I am a faculty member at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and teach
Occupational Safety and Health. My concern about the proposed expansion is based
on several issues. While at the time the original lease was made to Brewer for the
power plant, not as much was known on the delicacy of our oceans and the
persistent effects that pollutants have on agriculture and people.
The specific region of East Hawaii's coast that is being considered for industrial
usage, is extremely close to the ocean. It seems exceptionally irresponsible to
increase the amount of pollution that is already entering the ocean in this area. All
industry pollutes, even If it doesn't exceed EPA standards (and clearly Brewer has a
history of exceeding EPA standards) there is a certain amount of "allowable"
pollution. When combined with the pollution that is already being produced I fear we
could have serious repercussions in the surrounding marine environment.
Hawaii is in large part defined by its environment. Local culture is closely entwined
with the environment as well as tourism. In the vicinity of where the proposed
expansion would take place, the coastline is far more accessible than most of East
Hawaii. People, locals and tourists alike, are more likely to fish and swim in the area.
Again, is this where we want to place industry? I believe it would be poor planning
to expand the industry already there.
Also, because of the beauty of the Hamakua coast, more people are moving to the
region. The original power plant was designed to be far from people, but with the
new housing developments that have sprouted up in the nearby vicinity and the
planned subdivision immediately adjacent to the proposed expanded industrial area,
that is no longer true. I suggest planners look for acreage far from housing and
agriculture. I recently looked at the "Atlas of Hawaii" (Juvik &Juvik, 1998, p. 185)
and besides Hilo and Kona, the Peepekeo area is one of the 3 most densely
populated areas on the Big Island. There are a tremendous number of locations
where industry could be located that are away from people and the ocean, so that
when the allowable amount of pollution accumulates, or a mistake happens and large
amounts of toxic substances spill, it is problem that can be solved, not a disaster
that is irreversible.
Thus for humanitarian, as well as environmental reasons, I strongly encourage you
to take a cautious approach about where to locate future industry. Choose to
position it a safe distance from heavily populated areas and our ocean.
Dr. Dawna Coutant
Psychology Dept. Comm. No.
University of Hawaii at Hilo Fite No. Ptr
Feb. 10, 2003
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, , FEB 1 8 2003,_