HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-04 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Leone R. Sutton Opposition Testimony From: James Sutton
To: W PCtesti mono
Cc: Leone Sutton
Subject: Special Management Area permit for Punalu'u Village BLACK SAND BEACH LLC(PL-SMA-2023-000046)
Date: Monday,March 4,2024 9:49:41 AM
Attachments: L Sutton Testimony-Black Sands Beach LLC Punaluu.odf
Please find my attached letter/testimony of dissent for the Black Sands Beach LLC, Punaluu
development public hearing for the SMA application.
Special Management Area permit for Punalu'u Village
BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046)
Thank you in consideration of my letter.
Sent from my Whone
To: Windward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii
Subject: Special Management Area permit for Punalu'u Village
BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046)
Aloha,
My name is Leone R Sutton and I'm a volunteer with Malama Pono Punalu'u (a beach &
green sea turtle stewardship program) and a local Hawaiian hawksbill turtle group. I
have been volunteering with turtle programs for the greater part of a decade across the
United States and Hawaii. Through all my experience, the Kau coast and its unique
habitat for critically endangered species is unparalleled anywhere else in America.
On the coast of North Carolina I witnessed first hand the devastating impacts that
development has on the Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Those areas represented rural
America till money infused the local county and governance to build bigger and entice
influx of non-local residents. The result was pressure from lights, noise and people.
These pressures resulted in nesting mothers being unable to find suitable locations to
lay eggs, caused unavoidable damage with predation by pets and pests, and forced the
relocation of nests because of negative human wildlife interactions. All these concerns
result in reductions in surviving juvenile populations and decreases in opportunities for
nesting mothers; all causing a loss in the overall population needed to survive.
Kau Hawaii is home to one of the most endangered turtles in the world, nesting
Hawksbill Sea Turtles, as well as basking/resting Green Sea Turtles. Sea turtles are a
vital part of the marine ecosystems in Kau. They are a link in the food chain that is
already off balance from overfishing, coral reef bleaching, harvesting of sharks, and
overwhelming pressures of global climate change, etc. Their importance can not be
overstated within the environment, and as a majestic marine species they serve as a
major source of awe and amazement for locals and tourists alike.
In the U.S. Pacific, hawksbills nest primarily in Hawaii where 10 to 25 females nest
annually on beaches along the south coast of the island of Hawaii and the east coast of
the island of Molokai. This population may constitute one of the smallest hawksbill
nesting populations in the world, but is the largest in the Central North Pacific Ocean.
As you may know, Hawaiian hawksbills are critically endangered. Here in Ka'u is where
most of the hawksbills lay their eggs and it's estimated that there are maybe 20 nesting
females each year on our shores. This past summer and fall we had several hawksbill
nests at Punalu'u and other nearby beaches, which was good news. They usually return
to their place of birth to nest. We had not had a nest on Punalu'u since 2018.
Hawksbills are very sensitive to light, both when nesting and when trying to reach the
ocean after they hatch. They recognize their ocean home by light reflecting off the
water. Stranded mothers have been found circling underneath lighted structures. Baby
turtles have been seen going towards artificial lights, even when the ocean was within
10 feet.
Mother turtles are very sensitive to activity on the beach and will not come up to lay
eggs unless they feel safe. Carrying a heavy load of approximately 180 eggs, they may
watch for days to access the safety of a beach. If she is unable to find a suitable
location, she may release her eggs into the ocean.
I'm very concerned about the increase in light caused by additional people on the
beach, car traffic and stationary lights that would come with development. Any
additional lights and increased beach activity during the nesting season (May through
December) will have a negative impact on honu mothers and keiki. The proposed
Punalu'u Village plans include an open market, public restroom, fish market and
restaurant that are very close to the predominate turtle nesting habitat at Punalu'u. Also,
the proposed Colony 2 of 63 Condominiums may have negative light impacts on
another important nesting area known as Kaloa.
can not, in good conscience, support the development of the beach front at Punalu'u.
Beyond the critically endangered hawksbills, there are several other points of concern:
* First, regarding public commentary, having an important community meeting on a
weekday doesn't offer adequate opportunity for the working people of Ka'u to attend.
Please add an additional planning meeting on a Saturday.
*We need an Environmental Impact Statement, since the current one is more than 50
years old. Deciding to move forward without one feels disrespectful to our community
and to the aina, and does not feel in integrity or pono.
*There is no disaster mitigation plan. Pele can be unpredictable and things can change
very quickly here. The beach is already reaching capacity and building a development
that is not coastal dependent within 200 feet of the high tide mark puts people and
facilities in danger. Tsunamis, earthquakes, flooding, many other potential hazards need
to be considered and anticipated — if not, there could be huge losses and liabilities.
*There is no burial treatment plan in place.
* Building condos at Punalu'u will most definitely increase our property taxes.
*There needs to be an updated shore assessment and setback. This certification is
especially important when there are plans to put a cafe about 100 feet from the beach,
as seen in the proposed village diagram, #15.
*The owner has listed 143 acres as conservation, which currently is planned from one
fish pond to another. If this was extended to reach the boat ramp, it would ensure much
better environmental protection for the hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles and the
Hawaiian monk seal.
*The current infrastructure is very poor. How is the developer going to deal with waste
water, necessary water supplies and what fire suppression systems will be in place?
In all these respects, and especially considering the negative impacts a development
like this would have on critically endangered species, I respectfully ask that you not
approve this plan.
Thank you for reading,
Leone R Sutton