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Home My WebLink About2024-03-04 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Tim DeLozier Opposition Testimony From: Tim DeLozier To: WPCtestimony Cc: Roy.Alex; Planning Internet Mail Subject: Punalu"u SMA letter of opposition-March 7th Planning Commission Meeting Date: Monday,March 4,2024 3:15:16 PM Attachments: ounalu"u letter of 0000sition.odf March 4, 2024 Hawai'i County Planning Commission RE: Proposed Development/ SMA Permit Punalu'u Beach, Ka'u District Aloha, I am a long-time resident of the Big Island and reside in Pahala. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed development and Special Management Area permit at Punalu'u Beach and surrounding area. I adamantly oppose this project and permit requests for the following reasons: I. Infrastructure Most sections of Highway 11 from Honaunau to Hilo are in serious disrepair and long overdue for repaving. Sections have asphalt similar to old-fashioned cobblestones, daily potholes and uneven/wavy surfaces. Highway crews are seen throwing shovel-fulls of asphalt into the potholes,providing a temporary fix that often lasts a mere few days. Increased traffic including tourists and heavy trucks hauling construction materials will only amplify and accelerate the deterioration of this treacherous highway. The north intersection at Ninole Loop and Highway 11 is dangerous. There is no left-turn lane or right-turn merge lanes like at the south intersection posing risks to drivers turning onto/off of Highway 11. On the north side there is a pali (hill) making this intersection difficult to see in advance for all south-bound traffic. Increased traffic from construction vehicles, trucks, equipment and tourists makes this intersection inevitable to frequent accidents. Public utilities are available, but the additional burden on these resulting from increased water and power usage are likely to strain and deplete availability. This needs to be investigated and addressed before any approval is given to such a large project to prevent long-time residents from experiencing shortages. II.  Wildlife Numerous endangered and threatened species exist in the area of the proposed development. These include Hawksbill Turtles, Green Sea Turtles, Nene Geese, Hawaiian Monk Seals among others. All of these species will be negatively impacted by such a large-scale development. I volunteer with the Hawksbill Turtle project and Malama Pono Punalu'u. I have witnessed people throwing rocks at wildlife,poking them with sticks, stepping on turtle hatchlings and frequently approaching well within the required distances prescribed by State and Federal Laws. We struggle enough already with the existing large numbers of tourists and visitors to keep and protect these wildlife, that task will be nearly impossible with the increased crowds this development will bring. The application is relying on an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) from 2006 which way outdated and isn't right—an updated and current EIS should be required. III. Unproven track record This applicant is listed at Black Sand Beach LLC. A quick search of business names online at Hawaii.gov, results in numerous affiliated businesses including Ka'u Valley LLC, Punalu'u Village, Ka'u Royal Hawaiian Coffee& Tea LP, among others. These various entities own many properties in and around Naalehu and Punalu'u. There isn't a history of development on these various properties. One example is the building at 95-1178 Kaalaiki Road, Naalehu. This property contains a building that is roughly half completed and there has been zero activity to complete it in years. Another example is the building across the street containing Ka'u Auto Repair—owned by the same individual. The shop buildings are quite dilapidated and in need of repairs. Consider the condition of the properties where these proposed developments are involved: the applicant has had years of opportunity to make improvements to these grounds but has done nothing. Why haven't any of the ramshackle buildings been demonlished?....Why haven't the ponds been cleared and maintained? Given the lack of previous experience and evidence of finishing projects on these and other properties in Ka'u, I seriously question the ability of this applicant to successfully complete this project—especially considering the immense size and scope of construction being proposed. In the event this project gets abandoned part-way through construction, Ka'u will be faced another disaster. Does the applicant even have sufficient funds to complete such an enormously expensive project???? This question demands to be addressed and answered. IV. Sufficient demand Sea Mountain Resort failed. What's to say this new development is going to succeed? Has the applicant done a thorough investigation to verify that there is adequate demand for the goods and services of this proposed development for it to not fail? What has changed from the days of Sea Mountain until now to demonstrate that this new development will be profitable? This is another question demanding to be addressed and answered. V. Community Opposition There is overwhelming local community opposition to this project and has been for years. The zoning and development for this property for Sea Mountain was all done back in the 1970s—long before the critical implementation of community input and feedback. It was a mistake then and is a mistake now. The only way to rectify this horrific mistake from decades ago is to LISTEN to the local community—something the developer and land owner hasn't done. Sure, she has held many community forums and meetings, but she hasn't listened to the MAJORITY of the community—the majority of Ka'u residents OPPOSE this development and DOESN'T want it! Despite the obvious majority opposition, she insists on foraging ahead. I conclude with this: this development is nothing more than foreign investment seeking to exploit treasured local resources and endanger critical wildlife habitat all in the name of money. Ka'u District is rural and natural.......it has always been that way and should continue to remain so. There are no other large scale resorts of any kind in Ka'u, this should NOT be the first. Keep Ka'u Country and please,please,please........use the one and only word deserving of this proposed development: A'ole—NO! Mahalo nui for your time and consideration. Warmest aloha, Timothy DeLozier Pahala, HI 96777