HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Shauna Kehaunani Springer Opposition Testimony From: S. Kehau Tom
To: W PCtesti mony
Subject: Testimony PL-SMA-2023-000046-S. Kehau Springer
Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 2:55:14 PM
Attachments: Testimony PL-SMA-2023-000046-Kehau Sprinoer.odf
Aloha Windward Planning Committee,
Please refer to my written testimony for Agenda Item 93 APPLICANT: BLACK SAND
BEACH LLC PL-SMA-2023-000046.
Mahalo nui,
Kehau
Shauna Kehaunani Springer
kehautom(a4gmailxom
March 4, 2024
Hawai'i County Council Chambers in Hilo
101 Pauahi St. Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
To: The Windward Planning Commission of the County of Hawai'i
RE: BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046)
Aloha Chair Lin, Vice Chair Danielle, and Windward Planning Commissioners,
'O wau n6 'o Shauna Kehaunani Springer, no Kaimuki, O'ahu mai au, noho wau ma Kea'au,
Puna, Hawai'i. I was born and raised on O'ahu and have been living on Hawai'i Island in Puna
and Hilo for the past 20+ years. My 'ohana traces mo'oku'auhau to Hawai'i Island and
specifically to Ka'u.
I worked for an ocean conservation non-profit for over 11 + years working alongside fishing
communities throughout Hawai'i. I also come from an 'ohana of first responders that serve
the public by keeping our communities, visitors, and island home safe.
Today, I am here to provide testimony in STRONG OPPOSITION to the request made by
applicant: BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046) under my own personal
capacity and not on behalf of any organization. I request that the planning commission also
OPPOSE the request to acquire a special management area use permit to develop within
the ahupua'a's of Ninole, Wailau and Punalu'u.
First and foremost, He ali'i ka 'aina, he kaua ke kanaka. The land is chief and we, the people
are the servants. These ahupua'a in Ka'u have been documented and noted in our traditions
as wahi pana, special areas that have natural and cultural resources that are significant to
HawaiTs unique ecosystems and our cultural heritage. They should be respected as such
and development on this scale is unsurmountable. It will destroy estuaries, anchialine
ponds, coastal vegetation, cultural and historical sites and more. Regardless if any EA or EIS
was completed, I know it will disrupt and have a NEGATIVE &ADVERSE impact on my
cultural well-being, identity and way of life. As a child of this 'aina and Hawai'i, the upmost
care and respect needs to go into caring for our landscapes and oceanscapes.
In addition to the actual desecration from development by grading the land, there will be an
inundation of people and all the baggage we bring. This includes our wastewater, trash,
attitudes and unsustainable lifestyles that will continue to desecrate this sacred 'aina.
If we dive into the mo'olelo (stories), mele (songs), oli (chants), '61elo no'eau (wise proverbs),
we find many clues about this landscape. These are all data and codes that document the
natural rhythms and cycles of this 'aina. We know this is an 'aina of strong winds....He 'a'ali'i
ku makani, we see our 'a'ali'i trees growing sideways. So why would we consider developing
an area in Ka'6 with strong winds, dry brush to create safety hazards. We all have 'ohana and
friends that went through the devastation of the Fire Storm in Lahaina, why would we re-
create that scenario here?
Although breathtakingly beautiful, Ka'u is a rugged landscape, we have many mo'olelo
about that describe these features. Our visitors, malihini and non-kama'aina are NOT
familiar with these hazards. Many don't know the stories or have experience living and
interacting with these conditions. This poses a HUGE SAFETY concern, especially having a
shortage of first responders and medical aid on Hawai'i Island. We have and will continue to
experience earthquakes, lava flows, tsunamis, flooding and wildfires. This development will
only add more strain on the existing infrastructure and human capacity to keep residents
and visitors safe.
Lastly, let's not forget the famous stories of He Ali'i 'Ai Moku o Ka'u, the famous chiefs that
were cruel to the people, we all know what happened to them, they were taken out by the
people due to their unjust ruling conditions. The people of Ka'u, know what is best for Ka'u.
Let's rise to the occasion and NOT ALLOW continued desecration to our sacred 'aina.
Please OPPOSE the special management area use permit to develop and continue to allow
Ka'6 to remain in its natural beauty for generations to come.
He Ieo ha'aha'a wale n6, mahalo
*ft*ft*t
Shauna Kehaunani Springer
kehautom@gmail.com
(808) 384-6363