HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Sheryl Waimakalani Iona Opposition Testimony From: Waimakalani Iona
To: W PCtesti mony
Subject: Written Testimony SMA Permit Application of Black Sand Beach LLC,on March 7,2024
Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 3:36:34 PM
Attachments: Iona Testimony SMA Black Sand Beach LLC 3-7-24.odf
Aloha:
I am attaching my written testimony for the SMA permit application of Black Sand Beach LLC hearing on March 7,
2024.
Please submit this for the hearing.
Thank you so much,
Sheryl Waimakalani Iona
Ph: 808-464-2074
SHERYL WAIMAKALANI IONA
74-2845 Ohemakai St,
Kailua-Kona, HI. 96740
Ph: 808-464-2074
Email: waimakalani@yahoo.com
04 March, 2024
Windward Planning Commission
County of Hawaii Planning!Department
101 Pauahi 5t., Suite 3
Hilo, Hawaii. 96720
Submitted via:WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
Subject: Written Testimony Regarding the Special Management Area Use Permit Application of
Black Sand Beach, LLC, Scheduled Hearing on March 7, 2024
NEED FOR A CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Aloha:
I am requesting that the approval of the SMA be deferred until a new and current
Environmental Impact Statement is created.
Many generations of my family were born, raised and are buried in Punalu'u within the
boundaries of this development project. Our family home which was located across from the
restaurant by the pond was washed away in the 1975 tidal wave. I am familiar with the
development and changes that have taken place in Punalu'u from C. Brewer's ownership to the
present.
Since the last 1988 EIS and 2006 EIS draft, Punalu'u has changed and been impacted by a
growth of visitors and kama'aina that frequent the shoreline. This has left a drastic negative
footprint on the fragile ecosystem and has also changed the lifestyle of our people who depend
on the fish, limo and opihi for sustenance. I have seen the disappearance of limu which the
honu also depend on for food. The SMA states that the devlopment will not affect the coastal
life. However, adding around 500 parking stalls and welcoming at least a 1,000 people a day to
Punalu'u will definitely impact the coast. 1 have witnessed the change throughout my lifetime.
Imagine being a honu resting on the sand and 1,000 people talking and taking pictures of you.
I
i
The attached map shows the neighboring north and south coastal areas that have been
determined as conservation land. Punalu'u with it's unique coastal access should be
conservation too. Everything is connected especially through the water. Run offs and other
affects of development will eventually affect the neighboring conservation ecosystems. We
must be absolutely aware of the development's footprint before discovering the damage after
the fact.
Punalu'u is a museum, rich in the artifacts of our history. This is a rare find.As noted in the AIS,
much of our history was removed by C. Brewer and they were not held accountable. There
should have been required protocols in place prior to any change in the landscape. There is'iwi
kupuna throughout and burial treatment plans are mandatory under NAGPRA laws.
The SMA does not answer to the many questions in the "how"these delicate changes to the
landscape will be done. It is in the best interest of all that a new EIS is created with the input of
the community and other specialized professionals. This will give us an updated and current
assessment to create a foundation to start from.
Everyone who is subimtting testimony in support or non-support of the development holds one
thing in common . . . our love for Punalu'u. You,the County of Hawaii Planning Department
holds the upper hand and have a fiduciary duty to the people and especially,the life of our
`aina,both past, present and what will be in the future.
Thank you for hearing my testimony.
t( - ,
Sheryl Waimakaiani Iona
PUNALU`U VILLAGE
Special Management Area Use Permit Application
AGRICULTURAL
URBAN CONSERVATION
URBAN
AGRICULTURAL
u
CONSERVATION
Figure 9—State Land Use Boundaries
B. General Plan
The Project Site is designated as a Minor Resort Area by the General Plan,a designation
that designates this area as accommodating no more than 500 visitor units and
providing both active and passive recreational opportunities commensurate with the
scale of development.
As shown in Figure 10--Genera l„Plan LUPAG Map above,the Project Site host a series of
designations ranging from Low Density Urban tldu), Medium Density Urban (mdu),
Resort(res)and Open (0). The proposed activities and improvements presented within
this application is not entirely consistent with the land use pattern expressed by the
General Plan,but is aligned with its designation as a minor resort area and the current
zoning pattern as discussed further below.
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