HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-04 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Wai'ala Ahn Opposition Testimony From: Wai"ala An
To: WPCtestimonv
Subject: Formal Opposition to Punalu"u Development Project(PL-SMA-2023-046)
Date: Monday,March 4,2024 4:34:54 PM
To the Hawaii County Planning Department,
I am writing to formally oppose the Punalu'u Development Project, specifically in regard to
the Planning Commission's consideration of a Special Management Area Use Permit(SMA)
based on a outdated Draft Environmental Impact Statement(DEIS) from 2006; along with this
proposal's complete disregard of the Ka`u communities generational legacy of keeping Ka`u
undeveloped or taking into consideration the Community Development Plan of Ka'u (CDP) or
Cultural impact study that reflects the will of the people of Ka'u, the delicate ecosystem of
Punalu'u and it's native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
As resident of Ka`u, a kanaka `6iwi with family ties to this land -with a kuleana to uphold of
past,present and future generations. I, along with my family and community demand a current
updated EIS be done, that the CDP be at the forefront of any potential development now or in
the future. Our iwi kdpuna/burial rights must also be established/upheld to the
highest standards - along with clarity and complete access for shoreline access, gathering
rights, cultural practitioners, conservation, etc.
Thus, a current Cultural Impact study, along with a current DEIS to update the outdated DEIS
from 2006 must be conduct to represent the contemporary needs and concerns of our
community. Failure to address these critical components undermines the integrity of the
environmental review process and disregards the rights and interests of indigenous
communities.
The repercussions of this development will ripple through Ka'u and change this place forever.
We demand an EIS and to listen to the overwhelming responses from community members.
Therefore, I demand that the Planning Commission uphold the standards set forth by HEPA
and insist on the comprehensive updating of the DEIS to reflect current community needs and
concerns. Anything short of this would be a dereliction of duty and a disservice to our
community and its cultural heritage.
Mahalo for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Wai'ala Alm, Ocean View Resident