HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-02 Windward Exh B (Public Testimony re Item 2 Yamada PL-SPP-2022-000012) WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
TESTIMONY TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 2, 2022
Public testimony regarding the application of YAMADA & SONS, INC. (PL-SPP-2022-
000012) was called to order at 9:11 a.m. in the County of Hawaii Aupuni Center Conference
Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Vice-Chair Michelle Galimba presiding.
COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Michelle Galimba, Gilbert Aguinaldo, Lauren Balog,
Louis Daniele III, and Dennis Lin
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Wayne De Luz
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Dakota(Cody) Frenz Esq. (Counsel for the Commission),
Jean Campbell, Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Department), Zendo Kern (Planning Director),
Christian Kay (Planner), Jessica Andrews (Planner), Tracie-Lee Camero (Planner), Clinton
Mercado (Planner), and Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador (Windward Planning Commission
Secretary)
APPLICANT: YAMADA & SONS, INC. (PL-SPP-2022-000012)
Application for Special Permit to allow the establishment of a quarry operation and related
improvements and activities on a 37.882-acre portion of a larger 2,407-acre parcel of land in the
State Land Use Agricultural District. The project site is located to the south of the Hilo Sanitary
Landfill and adjacent to the east of existing quarries on the subject, State-owned property within
the District of Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii,
TMK: (3) 2-1-013:002 (por).
Secretary's Note: "—" indicates that there were technical and/or internet difficulties, which made
the conversation inaudible.
GALIMBA: So, I'd like to call on the two (2)testifiers on Zoom. Tracie Camero and Bob
Douglas, if I could swear you both in. Oh,just Bob, okay. Okay,just Bob. If you could turn
your camera on Bob that would be great if possible.
DOUGLAS: Hi, I think my name was called.
GALIMBA: Yes. Hi Bob. I need to swear you in first.
DOUGLAS: Okay.
GALIMBA: So, raise your right hand please. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this
matter now before the Planning Commission?
DOUGLAS: I swear to tell the truth.
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EXHIBIT B
GALIMBA: Thank you. Please begin your testimony with your name and the town you live in.
DOUGLAS: My name is Bob Douglas and I live in Pana`ewa or Hilo.
GALIMBA: Please go ahead.
DOUGLAS: Okay. So, Yamada is scheduled to reimburse the State at sixty-five (65) cents a
ton when base course is being sold on the open market at twenty-five (25) dollars a ton. My
question is how this price has been determined and shouldn't the taxpayers be protected from
price increases instead of relying upon a ten (10) year revisit of this price. The price should be
tied to the commodity index or to inflation on an annual basis not a decade basis. Second point,
as this lease is on DHHL land (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands). Well, it's not really a
lease it's a contract on a lease from the State. There should be a stipulation added that no
materials, minerals that are extracted from the DHHL lands be used for TMT (Thirty Meter
Telescope) or TIO (TMT International Observatory, LLC) contractors or subcontractors to the
construction of TMT. These are Hawaiian lands and allowing TMT to use minerals from these
lands is adding insult to injury as most Hawaiians are against TMT.
If TMT must use those materials, it should be put to a referendum to the residents of DHHL
lands. So, any pre-existing contracts with TMT and TIO must be cancelled for delivery of
materials. On operational hours, operational hours must be curtailed between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. For the simple fact that if TMT does get their way, that they will have to have an
accelerated production schedule and they will force Yamada and Sons into an extended schedule
impacting the residents of the DHHL Hawaiian communities.
FRENZ: Mr. Douglas, one minute remaining. Please summarize.
DOUGLAS: Next point is the Hawaiian Hoary Bat is an endangered species and they must
respect the lighting, the quiet times, and no use of barbed wire and that includes on pre-existing
facilities. In regard to the previously mined area DHHL or Yamada and Sons must ensure that
the areas is maintained free of Albizia trees and the property must be restored to the prior
Pana`ewa natural endemic species that grew there.
FRENZ: 30 seconds Mr. Douglas.
DOUGLAS: The Hilo air quality station monitoring is located across from the hospital it is too
far from this area to make accurate measurements. Furthermore, the current station does not
measure particulate composition. We need air monitoring closer to detect and measure the basalt
and silica dust. Basalt is a Class 1 carcinogen. Silica causes silicosis. So, these are health
issues.
FRENZ: Mr. Douglas?
DOUGLAS: The next point is —
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EXHIBIT B
FRENZ: Mr. Douglas?
DOUGLAS: —all Yamada mining equipment and stations must be outfitted with air
conditioning and HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters to protect the workers. All
Yamada trucks must be hosed down prior to traveling on any County roads to protect the citizens
and the workers that are using the rubbish site.
FRENZ: Mr. Douglas?
CAMERO: Mr. Douglas, Mr. Douglas—
FRENZ: Sir, that's been 3 minutes.
CAMERO: Please summarize your thoughts okay you had 3 minutes. So,just try to summarize
your thoughts.
DOUGLAS: I've only got one more point. Signs must be posted in the area including the dump
stating that the area is subject to basalt and silica dust. Keep windows up and AC on in
recirculating mode. Last point is, I'm not sure who should be determining this but the winds.
When the winds reach a certain speed, operation must be shut down, so the dust does not kick up
and that's my testimony. Thank you.
GALIMBA: Thank you Mr. Douglas. Commissioners do you have questions for Mr. Douglas?
Thank you very much, no questions for you.
DOUGLAS: Thank you, mahalo.
The public testimony ended at 9:16 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador, Secretary
Windward Planning Commission
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EXHIBIT B