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From: Diane Ware <br /> To: W PCtesti mono <br /> Subject: WPC agenda item 3 in strong opposition 3/7/24 <br /> Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 3:36:46 PM <br /> Aloha no Chair Lin, Vice Chair Daniele, and Members of the Windward Planning <br /> Committee, <br /> My name is Nancy Warj and I urge you to deny the Special Management Area <br /> permit application (Agenda Item #3, PL-SMA-2023-000046) that will build a luxury <br /> resort development at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach. <br /> As our climate crisis inevitably worsens, it is critical that our precious natural and <br /> cultural resources are managed as a public trust resource, as envisioned in our <br /> Hawaii State Constitution, and as carefully contemplated with critical input from key <br /> community stakeholders in the Ka`u Community Development Plan. <br /> Additionally, the SMA applicant proposes a development that caters to tourists at the <br /> expense of our own - our own people who are already housing insecure,job insecure, <br /> and our natural and cultural resources. The lack of planning with the prematurely <br /> proposed SMA application for a development that will only exacerbate the erosion of <br /> our natural and cultural resources undermines the Ka`u Community Development <br /> Plan and does not facilitate the county fulfilling its affirmative duty to protect <br /> nearshore marine water. <br /> Furthermore Over 100 cultural sites, including burials and heiau, have been <br /> destroyed since efforts to develop Punalu`u began 50 years ago. Yet there is still no <br /> burial treatment plan, no preservation plan, and no plan for access for lineal <br /> descendants. Further, in what was once a heavily populated area, it is likely there are <br /> unknown burial sites that will be inadvertently discovered and damaged should the <br /> project be allowed to proceed. These plans should be completed prior to approval of <br /> the SMA permit application. Additional consultation with lineal and cultural <br /> descendents and sweeps of the project area should be completed as well. The county <br /> has an affirmative duty to protect these cultural resources. Approval of the SMA <br /> permit at this time would violate that obligation. The Planning Department's <br /> recommendations do not adequately mitigate negative impacts. <br /> Ua Mau Ke ea o Ka `aina I Ka pono o Punalu'u, <br /> Nancy Ware <br /> 808-756-6692 <br /> P. O. BOX 698 <br /> 99-7815 Kapoha <br /> Volcano HI 96785 <br />