HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0825.033 2010-2012 8089653733 12:00:57 p.m. 09-13-2012 1 /1
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Testimony CO M(4. g25
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Agriculture,Water&Energy Sustainability
Sept 18,2012,West Hawaii Civic Center,Council Chambers
Bill 292:Amends Chapter 14,General Welfare,Hawaii County Code 1983
SUPPORT ..`�
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Chair Yoshimoto and Committee, tv
I am in firm support of this bill relating to Geothermal Drilling being restricted between the hours of 7:00am to
7:00pm.This is mainly because of the location of the current geothermal plant being in close proximity to
residences.
I moved to Hawaii Island in the mid 1970's.I attained a lease on 80 acres in peaceful Opihikao.In 1979,an
exploratory geothermal well(within a thousand feet of my home)destroyed the serene nature of the area for a
constant eleven months. I was among the first citizens to research if these operators were held to any industry
standards on noise,air quality,or light intrusion. I found that at the time,the answer was"no"to all of the above.
The tower lights lit up my surrounding area like a football arena.The constant noise from the drill,especially
when it hit blue rock,was most unsettling.The clanging of the 30 foot pipes when they were being stacked or
being inserted was mind rattling.The roar of the pump to remove the mud from the well hole was like living next
to a construction site with a D-9 excavator working around the clock. I temporarily abandoned my home to
preserve my sanity.
The drilling stopped only when the site proved unproductive.I was able to move back in to my home. In the
meantime, my research found that there were noise abatement procedures and equipment that could have been
used.There were ways to isolate the lights to the specific work areas.There were ways to drill only during
daylight hours. But why wasn't it done? It was not even considered by the drillers because it would have added
substantial money to the price of drilling and because there were no existing limits or standards for noise,light,
air quality,or times of operations.
Let's use some common sense in this situation.Would the County allow a developer of a shopping center in the
middle of a neighborhood to work 24/7 to construct the project with unabated lighting,construction noise,and
dust pollution?Absolutely not.So why should they allow geothermal drilling to go on 24/7 on the border of two
subdivisions and nearby residences?They shouldn't.
This is only a band aid approach for now.What is really needed is to place these heavy industrial projects in
properly zoned industrial areas.Not in the backyards of residential neighborhoods.
Thank you for allowing me to testify on my personal experience in this matter.
Steve Hirakami �COdi
12-4265 Kalapana Hwy
Pahoa, Hi 96778
808-965-8253
Comm. No. ,33
Ref. To: WG.SC.
Ref. Date "-ZD1T