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From: b w <br /> To: W PCtesti mons <br /> Subject: Punaluu SMA Application <br /> Date: Monday,April 29,2024 12:57:37 PM <br /> As a longtime resident of Kau I would like to submit my thoughts and feelings about this <br /> issue. I currently reside at Colony 1 at Seamountain and my views don't necessarily mirror the <br /> statements submitted by our board. I have lived in this community for 35 years and have been <br /> visiting this beautiful area much longer. I have friends on both sides of the issue and know Eva <br /> Liu personally. <br /> I understand the sacredness, history and fragility of the environment. I also understand that <br /> you don't have to be born here to know this is a healing place that is nourishing to your spirit. <br /> I do not find Eva to be the evil developer as she is so often depicted by some. I find her to be <br /> more kind, giving and caring about the community and truly cares about this area. To say that <br /> she has not given to and listened to the community is wrong. She held a series of meetings to <br /> get community thoughts and concerns and made her development plans much smaller to <br /> accommodate. She has designated and preserved the shoreline, she has kept the golf course <br /> mowed for fire safety and providing a place for the Nenes to thrive, she has made a large <br /> parking lot available at the beach and she has generously donated to the food bank from her <br /> farm in Naalehu. She has provided safe water and functional sewage treatment to the current <br /> residents without interruption. There are repairs and upgrades that will need attention if new <br /> development occurs of course. It would need to be addressed first and foremost. I feel she has <br /> done her due diligence. <br /> If the Planning Commission finds that there is too much opposition for the current plan then <br /> what about some mediation and compromise between the leaders of the proponents and <br /> opposition. I feel that the discussions should be between the community leaders of Naalehu <br /> and Pahala ... O Ka'u Kakou (OKK) and the development team. It should not involve <br /> protesters from outside the immediate community. This is our home not theirs. <br /> My vision might be to keep everything off the beach except a pavilion that explains the <br /> sacredness of this area to the Hawaiian people and its history. Maybe obtain a new copy of the <br /> Herb Kane mural that was once there. The fragile environment for the turtles and monk seals <br /> could be addressed as well along with proper protocols. The parking should be in the lot that <br /> has been restored and kept off the beach. Maybe a foundation could be formed to maintain this <br /> and removal of ruins of old restaurant. That area could be a park and the pond restored. Maybe <br /> a smaller hotel and restore 9 holes of golf with good kama'aina rates. A nice walking park <br /> could be created on the other 9 holes nearest the beach. It's beautiful there with views of the <br /> Ninole Hills. <br /> Respectfully submitted <br /> Bruce Wright <br />