HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0414.006 2016-2018 COUNT CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED ' t_
From: Kamala Galletes
Time 7,•45Pi4 By l�„�
To: Council Testimony //a/l
Subject: Comments for Bill 65 Date
Date: Monday,September 18,2017 1:45:41 PM
Aloha mai K.akou,
My name is Kamala Galletes, I was born in Ka'u, raised in Kona,
and. currently reside in Holualoa.
Mahalo nui loa to the Council for holding this hearing in Kona
and to the DWS for agreeing there should be NO more basal
aquifer wells (public or private) in the thin lens above sea level.
In my opinion, th.e County Water. Use and Development .P..an
(Bill 65) for the Keauhou aquifer is still flawed and needs
changed! Please do NOT approve the current plan until several
necessary ch.anges are made.
.Kona is rapidly growing and water consumption is on the rise.
More and more people are inovin.g to our island, visiting our
island or wanting to develop our island. Its no wonder we are
having to rely on the existing mauka wells and that these wells
are failing!
Our water levels keep dropping and Kona residents have to bare
th.e water restrictions, while developers with. private wells do
NOT have the same restrictions. Can we tap into these private
wells during times like these? Can we have a universal water
system where all the necessary.parts for these wells are sitting on
a shelf, without any orderi.n.g or shipping delays? Can a
knowledgeable staff for fixing these wells be on standby so our
entire community is NOT burd.ened by these mandatory water
restrictions?
Our climate is also changing, I'm sure you've noticed a drier,
hotter. Kona, and less s.n.ow on. our mountains than in years past.
nm Nov /I. " (i
Ref. To:. • *1004f
Ref. Dote
Less rain and snow ultimately means less water in our aquifers.
What would the kupuna do during times of less water? A cultural
practitioner needs to be involved in the .DWS planning process, as
these practitioners could continue to lift their prayers for the
water and have been dealing with water issues long before there
was even a well!
Community input in the planning process is essential! Getting
these wells repaired in a timely manner is essential! Well permits
applied for need proper regulations, to prevent, for example our
water being bottled and sold. Having cultural practitioners
involved in the DWS planning process will help to ensure our
families, especially our keiki and kupuna will have water before
big developers! !
Mahalo,
Kamala Galletes
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