HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-21 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Chelsaelynn Kobzi Opposition Testimony From: Ouihano,Chasity
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: FW: NO DEVELOPMENT AT PUNALU'U
Date: Tuesday, March 12,2024 4:33:14 PM
From: Chelsaelynn Kobzi <chelsaelynnkobzi@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 11:28 AM
To: Council Testimony<counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: NO DEVELOPMENT AT PUNALU'U
Aloha! O Chelsae kou inoa. No Pahala mai au. Noho au ma Kahuku ahupua'a, home o
Ulumano Ka Makani.
Hello, my name is Chelsae. I was raised in Pahala. I currently live in Kahuku, Oceanview,
home of the strong southeast winds.
`O ka'u Ka'U, Mai ke kualono a kahakai, OLA!
`O ka'u Ka'U, I ka uhi Lena mai ka ha a Pele, OLA!
`O ka'u Ka'U, O ka iho ho honua, o ka honua, OLA!
`O ka'u Ka'U, Kilakila Kaiholena o ke kumu o kou.
Ka'u you are mine, from the vast mountain ridges to the coastal shores
Ka'u you are mine, where Pele breathes
Ka'u you are mine, My safe place, my sanctuary, my refuge
Ka'u you are mine, The Majestic mountain of Ka'iholena is my roots, my source.
am writing this letter on behalf of mywhole family, including those who are no longer
here on Earth. We DO NOT support the development at Punalu'u. This will detrimentally
affect our way of life as well as all of marine life and the special ecosystems here.
Anything that happens on land will eventually affect the Ocean. It will affect the water
quality which will have an impact on marine animals, especially the Green Sea Turtle
which Punalu'u is famous for.
With development, comes increased nutrients and bacteria in our ocean. This can
cause algae blooms, and the growth of invasive algae, disrupting our turtles and fish's
food source and diet. And with that,will also affect our Hawaiian way of life.We depend
on these coastlines for food as well as it being a living classroom for all generations. A
glimpse of Old Hawaii and how our ancestors once lived.
This development will affect 3 different ahupua'a. Wailau being the most detrimental.
Wailau means many waters, and it's because of this ahupua'a that Punalu'u Beach is
rich in fresh underground springs. Water IS LIFE and we have every right to cherish it.
Ahupua'a runs from the mountain tops to the ocean.There was a perfect balance in
sharing resources. We still practice this balance. Kilo or observing is very important to
Hawaiian people. With this development, it will affect our view of the BEAUTIFUL Ninole
Hills that we can see from this coast.These mountains are highly important and sacred
to us, for it being older than Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.We have legends about these
beautiful mountains.
Increased human traffic will discourage our turtle friends from feeding, nesting and
thermo regulating while basking in the sun.An increase in people swimming will affect
their eating habits and there will simply be no more room for them to feel welcomed.
Punalu'u beach has a lot of history. It has cultural significance to us people. It is a
Living classroom for our keiki to reconnect to our ancient ways of living.We still depend
on this shoreline to feed our families and to heal our souls.
We must protect our sacred Heiaus.WE MUST protect our sacred birthing stones and
ancient artifacts such as the Konane board and petroglyphs, we must protect our
endangered friends such as the whales, the nene, and the turtles. Even down to a
specific type of coral or seaweed that is important to the balance of the ecosystem. We
must protect our watersheds.We must recover Ninole ponds which are disappearing to
run off from heavy rains and invasive golf course grass.
This development does NOT benefit the people of Ka'u. It is not worth sacrificing such a
sacred space to cater to TOURISM and MONEY.This is KULEANA lands belonging to the
HAWAIIAN PEOPLE. Punalu'u is our HOME.we are being pushed out and priced out. My
children will not be able to afford to live in their HOMELAND.This will affect the cost of
houses, propertytaxes, cost of living. AND OUR RESOURCES. I<a'u is not equipped to
handle a huge influx in traffic. This is a Flood zone area which isn't so smart.We are
already struggling to keep our place here. Inflation has caused homelessness. THERE IS
NO COMPROMISE!THE PEOPLE SAY NO!!!
Mahalo,
Chelsae Lynn Kobzi
P.O. BOX 377281
Oceanview HI 96737
chelsaelynnkobzi(a)gmail.com
808-987-3999