HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-06 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Natasha Pinney Opposition Testimony From: Natasha P
To: WPCtestimonv;Council Remote Testimony
Subject: Opposition of development of Punalu'u by a girl born and raised in Pahala
Date: Wednesday, March 6,2024 1:01:09 PM
Good morning,
While I believe gentrification in some areas is good, developing an area like Punalu'u goes
against what makes it beautiful and unique to those of us who are lucky enough to call it
home. My family and I no longer live in Pahala. Before I entered my freshman year of high
school, we moved to Pennsylvania every day since I am reminded in some way that my heart
still belongs there.
Growing up, we spent every day down at the beach. My dad would load us into his truck and
drive us down that bumpy road to the boat ramp. Without fail, we knew Dwight would be
there, carefully reversing trailers down the boat ramp. We knew where to step and avoid on
the boat ramp so we didn't slip. We would stand around the picnic table and eat whatever
pupu's everyone brought to share. I always knew where to look to see my dad crouching low
in front of the lei stand ready to throw his net and the excitement of seeing him dive in and
bounce back up while helping him fish manini out of the eyes of the net. We would always
say hi to Kupuna Howard at the lei stand. She gave my family our middle names. We knew
where the sand was scalding hot. Where it was safe to swim, and not to go out past the buoy.
We knew where the muddy spots of the ocean floor were and I'll always remember how
refreshing it was to plunge into the freshwater pond at the end of a long day at the beach. I
grew up on cold plunges before social media told the world how transformative it was
for a person's well-being. These are my core memories. Core memories formed before I turned
14 years old. The children of Ka`u deserve to grow wild and slow in a world that has all but
taken that opportunity away from them. Most importantly, as very young kids we were taught
to leave Punalu'u better than we found it.
I'm 39 years old now and have had the opportunity to live all over the country. I've lived in
beautiful San Clemente where they host the Rip Curl WSL Finals Lower Trestles surfing
competition, on the Marine Base in Kaneohe for 5 years surrounded by the gorgeous white
sands of Kailua and Lanikai Beach. I've seen firsthand what growth, development, and
overpopulation have done to the heartbeat of these towns. The devastation and loss of identity
in its people are the most heartbreaking to witness. Generations that have lived on the
Windward side are now forced to leave the island due to the inflating cost of homes well over
$1-2 million.
During my time in Oahu, I volunteered with the Waimanalo Limu Hui to braid limu lei to
bring limu back to the bay. I've stacked rocks to help restore Pahonu. This was a dream of the
Kupuna, to hope that one day their grandchildren would see limu flourishing. This is part of
what makes Hawai'i special. The people are a part of the `aina. It's in your heart to love and
care for where generations before them have planted roots. It's not land to be exploited,
commercialized, and developed into resorts.
Please deeply consider the impact that development will have on the natural resources
of Punalu'u . What the traffic will do to the hard workers' commute of Ka'u. How tourism will
impact the critical habitat of turtles, coral, and monk seals that we no longer see on other
islands.
Kindly,
Natasha Pinney