HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0363.003 2016-2018 NEMO
Murashige, Laura fflNiY ri FRK
COUNTY OF HistikAll
From: Wai'ala Ahn <waiala.ahn@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday,July 31, 2017 11:10 AM 2017 JUL 31 AK 11: 20
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Communication 363
Aloha Council,
I am a resident of Hawail island and I am concerned about waste water and
beach water safety for me, my Keiki, and our future.
As a lover of the sea and land, as a environmental activist and as a native
Hawaiian we need to address the issue with the toxic and harmful levels of the
water. We are a nation of people who live from the land and sea and this
continued neglect to the safety of our waters especially in costal areas that are
homes to our natives peoples is a direct abuse and genocide to these peoples
and lifestyles. It must be stopped.
At this rate all of our coastlines are impaired and it's effecting/threatening not
only locals, natives and wildlife it's also affecting tourism. Here are some facts,
I. hope these stats inspire you to do further research and make imitate,
impactful changes to protect our coastlines, our water, our people, our
communities and all of Hawaii Nei. Mahalo.
Some facts:
Pine Trees currently has a high advisory for bacteria exceeding safe
levels. The safe level is 130 enterococci bacteria (staph) per 100mL, their test
showed a level of 364 per 100mL.
Kahalu'u has been closed a few times in the past months for high bacteria
counts.
Every bay along our coastline was deemed "impaired" by the Environmental
Protection Agency. Wai'ala Ahn and I were stunned when we heard this!
It was said in the meeting that they don't want to do testing and reporting of
staph because it could negatively affect tourism. There have been countless
residents and tourists that have gotten staph.
m. No. 0/35
1 Ref. To: 6114 .
Ref. Date_galffil____?
"Staph. thrives in warm water, and HAWAII HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF
STAPH AND MRSA INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES!" Published
in a report by Dr. Tracy Weignar, a Professor at UH Hilo
Bacteria is 2-3 times more prevalent in the sand (where our children
play!). Children and kupuna are affected more because their immune systems
are not as strong as adults.
Staph symptoms include nausea, influenza, stomach problems, runny nose,
diarrhea, joint and muscle pain, rash, blisters, open sores, ear infections, and
even bruises!
Over 3 million gallons of non-disinfected human waste are released into the
ocean EVERYDAY, and these are just numbers for Kealakehe and
Kahalu'u! The temporary pit at Kealakehe is 25 years old, you can smell it
from miles away!
Remember when that pipe broke on Palani? A leak was reported 4 days before
the pipe burst, but our Waste Water Division is 4 Engineers too short. This
pipe was 50-55 years old! There are 8-9 other sections over pipes 50+ years
old in Kona and Hilo. And our population has been increasing drastically...and
all these earthquakes we've been having...
The pump station. in Kona is 20-30 years old, at the meeting .1 went to they said
this is a crisis waiting to happen.
Hawaii County has the lowest sewer rates in the state (rates from 1998). Even
if they double our sewer fees we would still have the lowest sewer fees in the
state.
All of the TAT Transient Accommodations Tax (hotels rooms etc) that we
collect in Hawaii County go to Honolulu to pay for Rail.
Thank you for your time and thoughtfulness on this important issue.
Wai'ala Ahn
Sent from my iPhone
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