HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1026.010 2004-2006
Page 1 of 3
Leslie, Earlanne
From: Charles Flaherty [oneheart@aloha.net]
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 11:52 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: 'Pilago, K. Angel'; phoffman@co.hawaii.hi.us; 'Bob and.Julie Jacobson'; 'Virginia Isbell'; 'Gary
Safarik'; shiga@co.hawaii.hi.us;'James Arakaki';'Donald Ikeda; Tred holschuh'
Subject: Testimony in favor of Communication 1026 (Res. 432.06) (corrected)
October 16, 2006
Aloha mai Mr. Chair and members of the Human Services and Economic
Development [Environmental] Committee,
I am testifying in favor of Communication 1026/Resolution 432.06, a
resolution opposing the commencement of service of the Hawai'i
Superferry at Kawaihae Harbor until economic, social, and
environmental concerns are addressed.
This is a matter of law and of common sense.
Law
HRS §343-5 Applicability and requirements. (a) Except as otherwise
provided, an environmental assessment shall be required for actions
that: (3) Propose any use within a shoreline area as defined in
section 205A-41.
HRS §205A-41 Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context
otherwise requires: "Shoreline area" shall include all of the land
area between the shoreline and the shoreline setback line and may
include the area between mean sea level and the shoreline; provided
that if the highest annual wash of the waves is fixed or
significantly affected by a structure that has not received all
permits and approvals required by law or if any part of any structure
in violation of this part extends seaward of the shoreline, then the
term "shoreline area" shall include the entire structure.
State law requires an environmental assessment because the ferry is a
shoreline area use.
Moreso, it is a unique, new use of the shoreline area. Currently, no
transportation use at Kawaihae Harbor has the turn-around time and
speed of the proposed ferry use. There is no transportation use at
Kawaihae Harbor that allows passenger vehicle service between the
Hawaiian islands.
Common Sense
Kawaihae Harbor is the only commercial harbor on the west side of the
) ~~(~•~0
Comm. VI)
r
Ref. To. 1 7
10/17/2006 Ref. Dote
Page 2 of 3
county. It already has inadequate infrastructure to service existing
users. In addition, nearby roads will not be able to handle the
additional traffic generated by ferry operations. Increasing demand
for inadequate services endangers public health, safety, and welfare.
There is no master plan to accommodate the additional ocean and land
traffic generated by ferry operations.
Ferry operations will displace existing space occupied the sole
company providing the less than full container load service. This
service is the lifeblood for small stores and businesses. The
current lack of small business labor combined with increased
interruption of inventory supplies will be the death of many small
businesses, thereby significantly altering the socio-economic
structure of West Hawai'i.
Hawai'i County has several invasive species that will be causing
great harm to general public health, safety, and welfare as they
spread. The fireant invasion will soon cause a significant increase
in the use of toxic pesticides that will endanger our aquifers and
nearshore marine environment. Fireants will make agricultural work
increasingly dangerous and uncomfortable. The Coqui frog invasion is
already impacting the ability of the general public to have good rest
and quiet enjoyment of property. The ferry will increase the
rapidity of the spread of harmful invasive species amongst the
islands of Hawai'i.
The ferry radar system that was to decrease the risk of injury and/or
death to federally-protected whales has not been installed as
promised.
As Oahu becomes increasingly urbanized, demand for Hawai'i County's
recreational resources will increase. Hawai'i County residents will
be forced to subsidize this increased use by non-residents through
additional taxes. While this may be good for private business and
State Excise Tax revenues, it will be burdensome and harmful to
Hawai'i County taxpayers.
For the above reasons, I urge you to pass this resolution.
Mahalo,
Charles Flaherty
10/17/2006