HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-05 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Wendy Coyle and David Teng Opposition Testimony From: David Tena
To: WPCtestimonv;Council Remote Testimony
Cc: Wendy Coyle
Subject: Protest of Residential and Commercial Development Proposed in Punalu"u
Date: Tuesday,March 5,2024 7:49:56 PM
Attachments: Colony I Development Protest Letter WC 2024Mar5.odf
To whom it may concern at hawaii county.gov,we are owners of a Colony I condominium in
Punalu'u and are submitting the attached letter to formally protest the residential and
commercial development proposed in Punalu'u.
Wendy Coyle and David Teng
March 5, 2024
Attention: HawaiiCounty.gov
To Whom It May Concern,
We vehemently oppose the development of a residential and commercial community proposed
in the area of the Black Sand Beach, Punalu'u.
We are owners of one of the condos in Colony One near the black sand beach of Punalu'u. We
bought in this area because it was quiet, not densely populated with people and buildings, had
nature close by such as the sight and sound of the ocean and lots of green space, and felt more
authentically Hawaiian. All the options in Kona and Captain Cook sent to us by our realtor had
no appeal. They felt commercial and overdeveloped, and not peaceful or quiet.
In addition, our guests reserve our condo at Colony One because they love the area as well.
They are looking for"Old Hawaii," not another overcrowded and overdeveloped resort
community with lots of people and vehicles. If they wanted that, they wouldn't drive the nearly
two hours from Kona to stay at Colony One at Punalu'u. The proposed development plan will
completely change the feel and look of the area, one that will likely not appeal to those who are
trying to escape the "maddening crowd." It will likely decrease occupancy of our unit, decreasing
our revenue.
Another major concern is the environmental impact of the proposed commercial and residential
development of the area. It is critical habitat for wildlife that, even without an updated
environmental impact statement, cannot be good for the Nene Geese, sea turtles, coral, and
other wildlife that are not able to voice their concern about the detriment of the development to
themselves.
Lastly, this part of Ka'u is typically dry, can be very windy and is in the tsunami zone. The
circumstances of the tragedy of Lahaina are not a one off; more development would put more
people in danger of wildfire, which is a real possibility as global warming and drought conditions
take hold. And tsunamis are not foreign to the Big Island. Big development in tsunami and
wildfire zones with one road in and out could be a recipe for disaster.
We do not want this massive resort!!!
Sincerely,
Wendy Coyle and David Teng
Primary Residence:
1109 S Augusta Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Owners of a Colony I condominium in Punalu'u
Email addresses: wendylisettecoyle(a-)_gmail.com and davidhfteng(a-)_gmail.com