HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SMA-2022-000025 C. Harden Testimony 04.03.23 From: Cory
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: April 6 item#2 PL-SMA-2022-000025 Hawaiian Ola Brewing
Date: Monday,April 3,2023 8:24:45 PM
Attachments: temp 2023 4-6 Ola Brew.docx
Testimony on item #2 PL-SMA-2022-000025 Hawaiian Ola Brewing
for Windward Planning Commission, 9 AM Thursday, April 6, 2023, Hilo County Council chambers
from Sierra Club, Hawai'i Island Group
Thank you for your volunteer service
There are many positives to this project, but unfortunately it faces two inconvenient truths.
One is that seawalls don't stop erosion—they only deflect it to other shoreline areas.And they will not
last, due to rising seas and more severe storms.
The other truth is that one corner of the main building is only about 60 feet from the cliff edge, but
the Hamakua coast is slowly crumbling into the ocean. Everyone's heard of the house falling into the
ocean at Honoli'i. We also know of a house just past the Singing Bridge slowly losing all its shoreline
setback.And one of our members grew up in a house three miles down the coast, on a clifftop ringed by
hala trees. In her lifetime, all the hala trees have fallen into the ocean.
So when the seawall starts failing, or the cliff starts crumbling closer and closer to the building, the
unfortunate landowner may come back to the Commission seeking permission for repairs.And some
developers have been known to extract a questionable permit, only to turn around and sue a municipality
when things crumble and go badly.
Please add a condition, to run with the land, that such permission will not be granted, and any landowner
must sign an indemnification letter for any land movement, flood, or sea level rise.
Please also add these conditions:
Do not remove soil from the site.
From Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) comments:
"DOFAW recommends minimizing the movement of plant or soil material between worksites.
Soil and plant material may contain detrimental fungal pathogens ( e. g., Rapid ' Ohi' a Death), vertebrate
and invertebrate pests ( e. g., Little Fire Ants, Coqui Frogs, etc.), or invasive plant parts ( e. g., African
Tulip, Octopus Tree, Trumpet Tree, etc.) that could harm our native species and ecosystems.We
recommend consulting the Big Island Invasive Species Committee BIISC) at ( 808) 933-3340 to help plan,
design, and construct the project, learn of any high- risk invasive species in the area, and ways to mitigate
their spread."
Return, and maintain, the Public Access Trail to Alealea Point to former standards, as promised in the
March 13, 2023 letter to property owners.
Have plans for sewage approved by the Department of Environmental Management.
The Hilo wastewater plant, even if it was not seriously deteriorated, is not designed to handle
concentrated septic waste, or even water treated to R-1 standards.
Respond to neighbors' concerns about noise and traffic.
Include bicycle lanes and space for bus stops.
Use seabird-friendly lighting as recommended by DOFAW.
Require County Council approval, not just Planning Director review, for any time extensions.
This gives the public a chance to comment.