HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-29 PL-SMA-2023-000046 C & K Mumme Testimony DeVera, Ashley
From: Kathleen Mumme <kmumme55@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 29, 2024 2:43 PM
To: Planning Internet Mail
Subject: re: PL-SMA-2023-000046 Black Sand Beach
Attachments: Letter to Planning re Punaluu'u village.docx
Please find attached a letter in lieu of testimony for the public meeting scheduled for March 7th and in
regards to Punalu'u Village
1
February 27, 2024
Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo HI 96720
Re: SMA for Punalu'u Village, Kau
To Whom It May Concern:
As full-time residents of the small development just mauka of this planned development,we are very
interested in the county's role in the potential approval and over-seeing of Punalu'u Village project. We
chose Kau as our home because it resembled what we are used to: quiet, rural, agricultural beauty. We
here in Kau are very concerned with over-development and the protection of our beauty. We also know
that property owners are generally allowed to develop their own property if they follow the law and
stick with the plan. As with any easily accessible and beautiful place, people will come....they already do!
The latest plan for the former"Sea Mountain Resort" seems to be very much scaled back from plans
of the past. We are happy to see that any new building will be within the current and already developed
area. We count about 230 units, most of which are reasonably small and none over 2.5 stories.
Apparently only the 80 proposed condos next to the current Colony One units could have the potential
for full-time residents. The remaining units would be for short, even overnight accommodations. We also
see that these new units are just over the hill and mauka of our beloved Black Sand Beach. There will be
no new development in the beach area itself. Further, the area along the beach area will be held in a
conservation management area. We like the idea of small businesses that can help employ our residents
and afford some nice conveniences to those of us who call this area home. Currently we see quite a bit
of daytime traffic to the beach. Most visitors, but certainly not all, stay briefly to see the turtles and take
in the gorgeous view. This development,well off the beach and quite limited in 'sprawl', could mean
that those visiting would have the opportunity to enjoy other amenities which do not include the beach,
but which could be a healthy boon for the local economy and for local entrepreneurs.
All of that said, we do have concerns. We worry about parking, the impact on sea life,the beach
itself, and the increase in our traffic. We wonder if some of the overnight condos are too large. We also
would like clarification of the plans for the "Old Punalu'u Village" area.
But, as neighboring homeowners, our greatest concern is the sewer and water system which we share
with the existing Sea Mountain Resort/Colony One units. We are very concerned about the aging
infrastructure here and how it would be affected by the addition of new buildings and homes. We are
confident that Hawaii county will ensure that this system is upgraded to accommodate this increase and
that existing homeowners can be confident that the system will be in better condition than it is currently
if the plan meets with your approval. Surely no approval will be given until this is made a part of the
proposal.
Thank you for your attention.
Best Regards,
Chris and Kathleen Mumme
95-1175 Alahaki Road/ PO Box 363
Pahala 96777