HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0710.049 2010-2012 Page 1 of 2
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Murashige, Laura
From: whipmkealoha @aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:24 AM m c'
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us9-
Cc: fblas @co.hawaii.hi.us; blively @co.hawaii.hi.us; GKupahu @co.hawaii.hi.us L"
Subject: Communication 710/ Bill 256 -Written Testimony _. =.
Aloha Council Members, c:?
The purpose for this testimony is to express some concerns with Bill 256, and hope that changes will N
reflect that COMMUNITY BENEFITS remain in the language. As Civil Defense and ORMAT/PGV,
combined with the EPA and State of Hawaii are working on resolution to the emergency plan concerns,
the County should not expend monies in areas that have already been charged with health and safety
issues.
As stated in my first written testimony, please consider these points:
I trust the Council will take the time to verify that the health issues raised are valid. 70 (or more) Puna
residents filed several law suits in the past that were settled for"millions of dollars" per the presentation in
Puna by Mr. Petricci and the Pele Defense Fund, due to health issues. We are all very concerned with the
health and safety issues that geothermal development may have, and hopefully, the Council has
researched this completely prior to making any long term changes to the existing laws. As the threats of
more law suits to come continue, (as was stated by a few testifiers in Pahoa) careful consideration must
be given to the claims to be certain we are not making changes without hard facts in fear of more law
suits.
The facts should be considered fully, and this bill does not afford the public a reasonable and fair
opportunity to digest the information presented. At that meeting in Pahoa, Mr. Mike Kaleikini offered to do
a presentation to the Council regarding their safety program and changes that have been made at the
plant. The complaints regarding what happened 20 years ago continue to be raised, and now bills being
put forth without the community hearing directly from PGV what their company is doing to address these
health claims. The onus is on the developer to follow the conditions of their permits with regard to health
and safety, and should have the opportunity to do so prior to changing the use of any County funds.
Additionally, the only direct community benefits come from this fund, and now the County, in changing this
language, is removing the funds from the host community. Puna deserves more, especially being the
fastest growing community in the State of Hawaii, and recently, in the nation. Geothermal community
benefit fund may need to be managed differently, however, to utilize those funds for health and safety
seems unfair, at best.
The relocation program has been in place and has certain criteria that must be met. Those who
purchased property after the plant was developed should have done their own due diligence.
The language pertaining to the purchase of properties in the surrounding area is also of great concern.
Until the health issues are verified, this language basically condemns the surrounding area within one (1)
radius mile of any geothermal plant, due to health and safety.
The values of land will plummet and other ramifications will occur. Precedent will be set. We will be,
again, suffering consequences that government dictates, without due consideration. Please, if possible,
call for a Public Hearing, and give the public a chance to be heard. The presentation in Pahoa (Special
Council Meeting re: Geothermal)was specifically for the Pele Defense Fund and the community to raise
health and cultural issues, and the attendees were not representative of the entire district. Puna has
43,000 residents in total, and they need to be heard.
In closing, the responsibility also lies with the State of Hawaii, and I respectfully request that you get the
Department of Health involved, the DLNR, the PUC, and all other entities that will enable you to make
these kinds of decisions with factual information. The State of Hawaii is responsible as is the Federal
Government (EPA), and these departments must have a role in this kind of issue. That is where our
Council should gain support from. It is time for the County to exercise the right to call upon the proper
Comm. No.
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6/5/2012 Ref. Date 1 ,
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channels to assist us as we move forward. Make these changes prudently, and obtain the necessary facts before
making this important decision.
Thank you kindly for your attention to this matter, and please feel free to contact me at any time.
Sincerely,
Kuulei Kealoha Cooper, Trustee
Kealoha Estate
(808) 934-7799
whipmkealohaaol.com
1440 Kinoole Street Hilo, HI 96720
6/5/2012