HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-03 Maile Abellera OP From: Abellera,Maile L-Hilo,HI
To: WPCtestimonv
Subject: Development at Punalu"u
Date: Friday,May 3,2024 1:14:43 PM
Hi! My name is Maile Abellera, and I am a resident of Pahala for the past 55 years. I was born on
O'ahu but was raised by my Tutu(Grandmother)Adeline Andrade, in Ka'u from the age of 2 weeks.
Speaking of my Tutu, she was born at Ninole or Punalu'u in 1912. Her ancestors are from Punalu'u. If
she was alive today, she probably would be right here with me, opposing this development.
Yes, times are changing. However, change somewhere else. Haven't we learned from past mistakes?
Punalu'u may look run downed, but it's still beautiful to many. Beauty is the eye of the beholder.
Besides, don't we all go there to enjoy the ocean?With this development, access will be limited for
the locals that call Punalu'u home. Why can't she repair what's there already? No need to add any
more buildings. We've learned to adapt with what limited resources we have. For the past 40+years,
you haven't seen the locals of the Ka'u Community complain about the place. It's the people who
move here that want change. I mean, don't they realize why they moved here in the first place? Why
they made this place their home?Truthfully, Ka'u is special. So lets leave it like that.
I say NO to development! Keep Ka'u, Ka'u!!
Maile Abellera
PO Box 928
Pahala, Hawaii 96777