2024-03-04 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Melvin Masuda Opposition Testimony

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From: Melvin Masuda To: WPCtestimonv Cc: zuriakiCabamail.com;Melvin Masuda Subject: For County of Hawaii,Windward Planning Commission Meeting,Thurs., March 7,2024,Agenda Item: New Business 2.Black Sand Beach Date: Monday,March 4, 2024 1:12:36 PM Attachments: D00013.odf To: The Planning Director, Hawaii County, and the Windward Planning Commission of and for the Big Island of Hawaii Re: The Undersigned Individual's Opposition to the Application for a Special Management Area Permit (per the words of the Agenda:) "to allow for the development of a residential and commercil community consisting of approximately 225 residential and short stay units," etc. Along with the 200 individuals who showed up last Saturday at the Black Sand Beach area at Punaluu to oppose any devleopment of the area, I add my voice In opposition. Unfortunately, Hawaii Nei is losing all of its pristine, rural areas too fast—and allowing such a large development in the Black Sand Beach-Ninole Road area would destroy the natural beauty and environment of the area—pristine qualities that, once changed, can never be recovered. Just as the Island of Kaho'olawe cried out for protection from development (please see Atttachment from the Second Hawaiian Renaissance—a Maui Community College rally—in 1975), so, too, I implore the Planning Director of Hawaii County and the Big Island Windward Planning Commission to protect the Black Sand Beach-Ninole Road area from any development and to let that area remain as close to its pristine state as possible so that various endangered species, both on land and in the neighboring ocean, can thrive. Sincerely and Aloha, Melvin Maka Masuda (I'm the youngster in the middle of the photo), Attorney at Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa- Advanced Placement Courses; B.A., Princeton University;J.D., Yale Law School; M.P.A., Harvard Kennedy School; Member, Board of Editors, The Hawaii Bar Journal.