HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Alice Birnbaum Opposition Testimony From: Alice Birnbaum
To: WPCtestimonv;Council Remote Testimony
Subject: opposition testimony for Black Sand Beach LLC
Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 11:26:54 AM
To: Windward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii
Subject: Special Management Area permit for Punalu'u Village
BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046)
My name is Alice Birnbaum and I oppose Punalu'u Village and Black Sand Beach LLC
development.
I am a graduated Ka'u Pili Aina Steward and a volunteer with Malama Pono Punalu'u and I
believe that this development will severely impacts all that makes Ka'u, Ka'u.
-There is no updated EIS, environmental Impact Statement.
-There is no disaster mitigation plan.
-There is no burial treatment plan.
It feels like these are crucial in respect to the community. If this developement is truly for the
people of Ka'u, why have these important plans not been put in place, I do not understand.
As a volunteer I want to urge the importance of protecting our native and endangered wildlife.
Punalu'u is home to the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle and a nesting ground for the critically
endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill turtle. This destructive development will lead to over
population, light pollution, increase in traffic, etc and will completely alter this vital location
for our honu and even critically endangered Monk seals. What will happen to them and where
will they go if their environment is bombarded? How will they survive? To pull in an outside
population just to push away what is true to Ka'u is heartbreaking.
-There needs to be an updated shore assessment and setback, with plans to put a"beach club
cafe" 100ft to the beach...
-poor current infrastructure need to be updated. Water waste is already destroying nearby
fishing ponds and pools,water systems for fires are outdated and failing.
All together, I do not feel that this development is truly for the community. And therefor it is
not aligned with the values held here.
Alice Birnbaum