HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-29 Punalu'u Bruce Wright From: b w
To: W PCtesti mons
Subject: Punaluu SMA Application
Date: Monday,April 29,2024 12:57:37 PM
As a longtime resident of Kau I would like to submit my thoughts and feelings about this
issue. I currently reside at Colony 1 at Seamountain and my views don't necessarily mirror the
statements submitted by our board. I have lived in this community for 35 years and have been
visiting this beautiful area much longer. I have friends on both sides of the issue and know Eva
Liu personally.
I understand the sacredness, history and fragility of the environment. I also understand that
you don't have to be born here to know this is a healing place that is nourishing to your spirit.
I do not find Eva to be the evil developer as she is so often depicted by some. I find her to be
more kind, giving and caring about the community and truly cares about this area. To say that
she has not given to and listened to the community is wrong. She held a series of meetings to
get community thoughts and concerns and made her development plans much smaller to
accommodate. She has designated and preserved the shoreline, she has kept the golf course
mowed for fire safety and providing a place for the Nenes to thrive, she has made a large
parking lot available at the beach and she has generously donated to the food bank from her
farm in Naalehu. She has provided safe water and functional sewage treatment to the current
residents without interruption. There are repairs and upgrades that will need attention if new
development occurs of course. It would need to be addressed first and foremost. I feel she has
done her due diligence.
If the Planning Commission finds that there is too much opposition for the current plan then
what about some mediation and compromise between the leaders of the proponents and
opposition. I feel that the discussions should be between the community leaders of Naalehu
and Pahala ... O Ka'u Kakou (OKK) and the development team. It should not involve
protesters from outside the immediate community. This is our home not theirs.
My vision might be to keep everything off the beach except a pavilion that explains the
sacredness of this area to the Hawaiian people and its history. Maybe obtain a new copy of the
Herb Kane mural that was once there. The fragile environment for the turtles and monk seals
could be addressed as well along with proper protocols. The parking should be in the lot that
has been restored and kept off the beach. Maybe a foundation could be formed to maintain this
and removal of ruins of old restaurant. That area could be a park and the pond restored. Maybe
a smaller hotel and restore 9 holes of golf with good kama'aina rates. A nice walking park
could be created on the other 9 holes nearest the beach. It's beautiful there with views of the
Ninole Hills.
Respectfully submitted
Bruce Wright