HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-06 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Jen Pham Opposition Testimony From: Jen Pham
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: "A"OLE Black Sand Beach LLC
Date: Wednesday,March 6,2024 6:18:57 PM
Attachments: Testimony RE Black Sand Beach LLC 2024.pdf
Jen Pham
To the Windward Planning Commission
RE: Black Sand Beach LLC Application
Aloha Commissioners,
Thank you for your time and service today to take the time in reading this letter,
amongst the (hopefully) hundreds if not thousands of other testimonies that will
be opposing this permit.
am writing this letter today as a resident of Ka'u, Oceanview, as a passionate
keiki `o ka `aina, and supporter of keeping country, country. Ka'u, Ka'u, kanaka
lands in kanaka hands. I implore you to vote Vole on this permit. While I am
largely basing my testimony on pathos and on the belief that a foreigner should
not have the right or permission to "develop" such sacred lands for profit, it was
brought to my attention that according to HRS Chapter 205-26 (2)(a), this
application must demonstrate that the development will not have any
substantial adverse environmental or ecological effect, except as such
adverse effect is minimized to the extent practicable and clearly
outweighed by public health, safety, or compelling public interests. By this
standard, this application does not demonstrate this, in fact the effects of
developing on sacred, ancestral grounds would be detrimental to the already
jaded, stolen Hawaiian culture. It most definitely would not be of interest to the
public, the true local public, the people who would TRULY be impacted by your
decisions here to grant or deny this permit, in which I would like to ask with my
sincerest and `aina focused intentions in mind, that you folks deny this SMA
permit.
In addition to the adverse effects this deterioration of land would have on the
minds and hearts of the public interest, the ecology of this beautiful area would
be impacted as well. Hawai'i, as I'm sure you folks know, is.. or was, home to
such a unique array of plants and animals. Punalu'u, in particular, home to a
pristine flowing fresh water spring, and it is "state policy to preserve, protect, and
where possible, to restore the natural resources of the coastal zone of Hawaii."
Allowing a business minded individual like Eva Liu, creator of Black Sand Beach
LLC, a name alone which exploits our beautiful Punalu'u, would not be in
alignment with state policy, or the hearts and minds of the Ka'u community.
We do not need another resort on our beautiful island. We have enough already,
there is only one Punalu'u. Only one chance to make the right decision for the
`aina, to preserve the lands for our children, and our children's children. So that
one day they may enjoy watching the honu sleep upon the black sands of
Punalu'u, or drink from the pristine springs of Punalu'u.
I implore you folks to use the power granted to you by the people of Hawai'i, by
the residents and kanaka of Hawai'i to please, make the right decision to sustain
our beautiful culture and `aina for many generations to come, and vote aloha
`aina'- `A'OLE on this permit.
Mahalo nut for your consideration and time.
Jen Pham
jenthepham@gmail.com