HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0178.002 2002-2004 ~ L.
MALAMA O PUNA
P. O. Box 1520
Pahoa, Hawai 'i 96778
(808) 965-9254
/ Preserving Hawai'i's precious natural heritage
Mazch 28, 2003
Chairman Arakaki & members of the
Hawai 'i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai 'i 96720 tECENED `ti'
RE: RESOt.UT10N NO. 55-03
County ~ouncll
F
Deaz Council members
Malama O Puna is a Hawai 'i nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) with a
membership base of approximately 1,450 households. Our mission is to protect
Hawai'i's precious natural heritage, and that is why I am appearing before you today.
Not only was I involved with the geothermal issue since 1982, 1 took part in the
contested case heazings regarding the land swap. My property adjoins the Wao Kele O
Puna, and as a result I am well aware of the condition of that forest before, during and
after the State gave a CDUA permit to True Geothermal Energy Company. I was a
witness to and was therefore able to report many of the illegal activities of True, such as
dumping of hazazdous waste, bulldozing several acres more than allowed by their permit,
failure to monitor and control the incursion ~of invasive weed species for at least 18
months as required by their permit (and then only in the most cursory manner),
introduction of alien species into the forest ecosystem (they put ducks in the pond),
failure to restore the site upon abandonment (also required by their permit), and violating
their permit by running convoys of semis at 4 a.m.. 1 documented the latter by
photographing the trucks and their license plates, which Judge Shunichi Kimura accepted
as evidence when he cited them. These are some of the events which are referred to in
`whereas 9 and 11".
I know from first hand experience that the facts stated in the resolution are true
and factual. I also learned that this year there was an attempt`to circumvent the ruling of
the Third Circuit Court (probably by Campbell Estate) by submitting legislation to this
Legislature asking the State to buy the Wao Kele O Puna for possible future geothermal
development (HB1614 submitted by Rep. Calvin Say, and a concurrent Senate bill
sponsored by Sen. Bunda). Malama O Puna submitted written testimony in opposition.
The "possible geothermal development" part was especially telling; since we are well
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aware that True Geothermal pulled out because they knew there was no eeothermal
resource! Someone is trying to scam the Legislature!
Some of you may be wondering why this should be a matter of concern to the
Council, aside from the issues relating to the access and gathering rights of our Kanaka
Maoli brothers and sisters and the importance of those rights to the perpetuation of
Hawaiian culture. At 27,800 acres of forest, the Wao Kele O Puna is the watershed of
largest extent and of gzeatest importance to this island. If for no other reason,
acknowledging that water is life, the Wao Kele is of vital importance to the people of
Hawai 'i. When I was here before you testifying in favor of placing the 354 old growth
mango trees on Government Beach Road into a protected status, some of you stated quite
emphatically that "some places should never be developed". I believe that the Wao Kele
O Puna is one of them. it's continuation and perpetuation as a vast forest is necessary to
everyone on this island. The more El Nino weather we have, the more important the
forest will be to the water cycle (evaporation/condensation/transpiration) and our aquifer.
That goal will be realized if the Wao Kele is placed in a land trust, such as the Tides
Foundation.
Please take a stand to honor the ruling of the Third Circuit Court and the needs of
our community by supporting this resolution.
Mahalo nui loa,
~
-(it/-~Cu~C/
Rene Siracusa
President
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