HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-03 Rep Jeanne Kapela OP From: Rep.Jeanne Kapela
To: W PCtesti mono
Subject: Testimony for Windward Planning Commission May 6th Special Meeting
Date: Friday, May 3,2024 1:15:50 PM
Attachments: Testimony-PunaluuProposal.odf
Aloha,
Attached to this email is my testimony for the May 6th Windward Planning Commission special
meeting regarding Black Sands Beach, LLC's proposed resort development in Punalu'u. Mahalo!
Jeanne Kapela
Pronouns: she/her/hers
State House Representative
District 5, South Kona to Keo'au
Phone: (808) 586-9605
www.repkapela.com
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Hale a na Luna Maka'ainana
STATE OF HAWAI'I
STATE CAPITOL
415 SOUTH BERETANIA STREET
HONOLULU,HAWAI'I 96813
May 1, 2024
TO: Windward Planning Commission
FROM: Rep. Jeanne Kapela, Hawaii State House of Representatives (D-5)
RE: Testimony on Black Sands Beach, LLC Punalu'u Development Proposal
We must preserve Punalu'u.
I stand with the hundreds of people who testified in opposition to Black Sands, LLC's
proposed commercial development in Ka'u. Our kuleana is to protect our heritage and
our pristine coastline.
The environment of Ka'u is fragile and home to many sacred Hawaiian cultural sites,
including important Native Hawaiian burial sites. Moreover, this project is not sustainable.
It does not contain provisions that align with our county's or our state's renewable energy
and clean economy goals.
Ka'u already faces difficulty in sustaining local infrastructure. This project would be an
additional drain on our energy and water resources. Instead of investing in private
development that primarily benefits tourists, we should strengthen public facilities that
uplift our 'ohana's health and well-being.
Ka'u's people have carefully cultivated the land for generations. It is one of the few places
that has not been overrun by the visitor industry. We need to keep our community in the
hands of its ancestral caretakers, not private corporations.
The Punalu'u coastline also harbors many endangered spaces. Moving forward with this
project without conducting another environmental impact statement would show reckless
disregard for the families who have lived here for hundreds of years.
Planning Commission members should not rely on an outdated environmental impact
statement to determine the course of our future. They must listen to the voices of the
people, who are proclaiming that this proposal is not pono.
I recently visited the development site, where I witnessed firsthand the dilapidated
infrastructure that currently exists in the area. The property has been left neglected and
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unattended by the current owner. At present, eight out of fourteen water hydrants are
broken, rusted, or laying on their sides in the midst of and conditions.
Dilapidated structures, asbestos from past construction, and improperly disposed of
building materials are just some of the site's present hazards, while the property itself
remains overgrown. As we enter wildfire season, in my view, this is another Lahaina
waiting to happen.
I implore you to heed the mana'o of the community members who will be directly impacted
by this project. We are united in proclaiming that we do not want or need a luxury hotel
district in our backyard.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Kapela (District 5)