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Murashige, Laura
From: Cameron McNaughton [cameronm@soest.hawaii.edu] :a ' '
l)Li
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:45 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: Yagong, Dominic; Ikeda, Donald; Yoshimoto, J; Higa, Stacy; Naeole, Emily; Jacobson, Bob; Ford,
Brenda; Pilago, K. Angel; Hoffmann, Pete; Ms. Lianne Marie McNaughton
Subject: Punalu'u and Resolution 169-07
Dear Council Members,
By way of this email our family would like to express our support for councilmember Jacobson's
Keolalani Hanoa Resolution (#169-07).
I am a PhD candidate in the University of Hawaii Department of Oceanography with an undergraduate
degree in Environmental Engineering. My wife, Lianne, is a sea turtle researcher and fisheries biologist
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since arriving in Hawaii in 2000
we have visited Punalu'u many times.
As I'm sure the council members are aware, Punalu ~u represents a unique interface between freshwater
and saltwater ecosystems. Transitional zones like these are referred to as ecotones and are typically
more diverse than either of the ecosystems individually because they contain flora and fauna from both
ecosystems. In addition to protecting this unique location I would urge the council members to consider
studying the source of Punalu'u groundwater so that the "headwaters" or "infiltration zone" can be
properly mapped and protected. This request stems from the fact that if agricultural runoff (phosphates
& nitrates), urban runoff (detergents, lawn and gazden pesticides and herbicides) or transportation sector
runoff (heavy metals & petroleum products) are allowed to contaminate the groundwater it will render
protection of the coastal zone less effective.
Though it is true that groundwater takes many years (decades even) to reach the ocean, protecting
Punalu'u will require along-term approach modelled on the Ahupua'a system. It is not sufficient to
protect just a strip of land along the coast where freshwater meets the sea. We must also endeavour to
protect the source of those waters, wherever they may be, along the slope of Mauna Loa. As
development pressures mount, early protection will increase the region's "natural capital", enhancing not
only Punalu'u's ecological significance but also its appeal.
I thank you for your time and would be happy to consult with any members of Hawai' is County Council
in order to clarify my testimony or in order to provide guidance on scientific matters.
Sincerely,
Cam, Lianne and EZ (22 months)
Cameron S. McNaughton, MSc.
Earthstronaut
Department of Oceanography
University of Hawai' i at Manoa 3 r'~'Q •
1000 Pope Rd. CIN11m' NO.
Ref. To• ~r°1OW eurii;t ~
Ref. Date SEP 19 2007
9/18/2007
Page 2 of 2
Honolulu, HI
96822, USA
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Email: csmcnauq@hawaii.edu
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9/18/2007