HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Diane Ware Opposition Testimony From: Diane Ware
To: W PCtesti mono
Subject: WPC agenda item 3 in strong opposition 3/7/24
Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 3:36:46 PM
Aloha no Chair Lin, Vice Chair Daniele, and Members of the Windward Planning
Committee,
My name is Nancy Warj and I urge you to deny the Special Management Area
permit application (Agenda Item #3, PL-SMA-2023-000046) that will build a luxury
resort development at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach.
As our climate crisis inevitably worsens, it is critical that our precious natural and
cultural resources are managed as a public trust resource, as envisioned in our
Hawaii State Constitution, and as carefully contemplated with critical input from key
community stakeholders in the Ka`u Community Development Plan.
Additionally, the SMA applicant proposes a development that caters to tourists at the
expense of our own - our own people who are already housing insecure,job insecure,
and our natural and cultural resources. The lack of planning with the prematurely
proposed SMA application for a development that will only exacerbate the erosion of
our natural and cultural resources undermines the Ka`u Community Development
Plan and does not facilitate the county fulfilling its affirmative duty to protect
nearshore marine water.
Furthermore Over 100 cultural sites, including burials and heiau, have been
destroyed since efforts to develop Punalu`u began 50 years ago. Yet there is still no
burial treatment plan, no preservation plan, and no plan for access for lineal
descendants. Further, in what was once a heavily populated area, it is likely there are
unknown burial sites that will be inadvertently discovered and damaged should the
project be allowed to proceed. These plans should be completed prior to approval of
the SMA permit application. Additional consultation with lineal and cultural
descendents and sweeps of the project area should be completed as well. The county
has an affirmative duty to protect these cultural resources. Approval of the SMA
permit at this time would violate that obligation. The Planning Department's
recommendations do not adequately mitigate negative impacts.
Ua Mau Ke ea o Ka `aina I Ka pono o Punalu'u,
Nancy Ware
808-756-6692
P. O. BOX 698
99-7815 Kapoha
Volcano HI 96785