HomeMy WebLinkAboutTestimonies (19) 12-19-24 S. Fisher through 1-7-25 M. ReimerFrom:Dan and Shannon Fisher
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:reschedule County Counsel meetings regarding the General Plan, Jan 2025
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 9:30:03 AM
Aloha,
We are contacting you in regards to the cancelled General Plan meetings for January, 2025.We need more of these meetings to hear the testimonies of the people of the Big Island as well
as why such changes are being implemented by our county.These changes proposed are not only unnecessary but dangerous for the future of our Ohana
and our well being. We believe it is the job of the County Counsel to notify every resident ofsuch life changing plans. The people of Hawaii require full disclosure on what the County
Counsel is doing.--
Dan and Shannon Fisher808-345-4449
From:Planning General Plan
To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony
Subject:FW: General Plan Draft Land Use Designation
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:35:05 PM
Public Comment
From: Dan Berg <dan.berg@dlbandassoc.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:02 PM
To: Planning General Plan <generalplan@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: General Plan Draft Land Use Designation
Regarding General Plan Draft affecting Tax Map Key (3) 2-1-006-023
We are having difficulty with the General Plan website portal. Attempting to comment but the
site is in a redundant loop.
Please insert into the public comments the following statement:
As owners of the above property we are concerned with the proposed designation of the
property as Recreation on the General Plan. The current GP Draft includes these properties
incorporated into Reeds Park.
While we understand this does not immediately change the Land Use Zone from current V-
0.75, it is the first step to facilitate such a change via an emanate domain process.
We have plans to develop our parcel for residential use and do not want to be compelled to
negotiate appraisals, purchase and develop anther property.
Dan Berg966-4206https://dlbandassoc.com/
From:Davina
To:WPCtestimony
Cc:LPCtestimony
Subject:GP public testimony meetings
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 3:34:24 PM
By Aloha,
By this email, I am asking that you reschedule the GP public testimony
meetings in January.
Many of us seek to speak and be heard at these important meetings in first
month if 2025.
With Aloha & Gratitude,Davina Mar
Live Aloha Love Now
From:Dawn Singleton
To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony
Subject:Testimony December 19th at five
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 2:59:36 PM
STOP GP from going to the County Council until further investigation is done...
"Climate Change" the foundation of the entire plan
Turning private land into recreation, dropping property value, and the right
of the State to do so. (No local would want that.)
The Safety of electric vehicles on the island, the problem with recycling the
lithium batteries, which are hazardous waste, and the increased expense to
locals electricity bills! (The current electric grid can't handle more!)
Taking most of the island and giving it to the State under the guise of
"Conservation", "Natural," and "Rural."
Thank-you
Dawn Eshelman Singleton, PhD, DHS, CTP, DNM
'Board Certified'
Quantum Biofeedback Specialist & Author
"FEEL BETTER THE NATURAL WAY"
www.quantumhealthhawaii.com
From:Dawn SingletonTo:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony
Cc:Dawn SingletonSubject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 2:53:43 PM
Aloha Commissioners,
The Big Island Plan cannot be implemented as designed. It is hard to believe that any locals helped create thisplan. Here are some concerns: A considerable part of the plan is dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts state there isNO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the world canhave input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities are localBig Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live on Big Island orhave property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, or activities in the generalplan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial for the success and sustainability ofany initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their propertyvalue and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reducesomeone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be further researched.There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf showing thescientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weatherman for Good Morning America and the Founder of the WeatherChannel, has gone on CNN and other media outlets, stating, "There is no climate danger". He explains thereason for this narrative is the investors in renewable energy want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private landmanagement practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursue theacquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes. "Protection"means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring too because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisitionof lands." Does this say they are going to take people's private property? Again with "protection of naturalresources". This plan should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island! We needto turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou, has created an AgVillages plan. Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou SitePlan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You can see itin the pdf below:PartOne: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdfPart Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdfHere is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdf
Thank-youDawn
Dawn Eshelman Singleton, PhD, DHS, CTP, DNM
'Board Certified'
Quantum Biofeedback Specialist & Author
"FEEL BETTER THE NATURAL WAY"
www.quantumhealthhawaii.com
From:donna zacharski
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:Reschedule January
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 8:23:40 AM
To whom it may concern,
Why are the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony meetings for
January cancelled . This is NOT okay! The people have a right to be heard. Please
reschedule the public testimony meetings for people to be heard. We are on this earth
for such a short time. Why make life difficult for people. Doesn’t get you anywhere.
We all end up in the same place. Think about that. Merry Christmas
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
From:Doctor Jack
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:Reschedule GP Meeting in January
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:42:23 AM
Thankyou,
Jack Ebner
From:Ken Honma
To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony; Stand Together Hawaii
Subject:Reschedule the January General Plan public testimony
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:53:33 PM
Public testimony for the general plan needs to be rescheduled for January . I just found out
that the scheduled public testimony has been cancelled, this is a breach of trust. The generalplan 2045 is very important and at this point needs more input from the people of this county,
so reschedule the public hearing so that we can be heard.Sincerely,
Ken HonmaKurtistown Hi. 96760
From:Lahilahi Heen
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:Hawai"i General Plan Meeting
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:17:04 PM
Regarding the meetings that are cancelled in January for the Gen Plan, this is NOT okay.
The message with this action is Communistic. A nefarious plan is taking place and you alldon't want to be disturbed. If this is not the case, then set new dates in January and pay
attention to the people you are expected to serve, not the people who manipulate to servethem.
P. O.
From:Michelle Melendez
To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony
Subject:We appreciate you (apology here)
Date:Friday, December 20, 2024 2:26:58 PM
Aloha Commissioners,
I want to apologize for my intensity during testimony. It's not personal or an attack on any of
you. I really appreciate you and your time. I know you're volunteers.
My intensity is due to this plan and my huge concern of the possibilities that it will moveforward.
There was a commissioner that asked what would happen if it didn't go through, which it
should not. Mahalo for the question. This plan should not be rushed just because it's over thetime limit when it should have been adopted. If it will harm the island and the people here,
which it will, it must be recommended that it not go through. I pray that you do that.
The general plan manager said they took input from locals to create this plan. I don't know onelocal that would want a plan like this, and not one has shown up to speak on behalf of the plan
in the 10 meetings I've attended.
She also stated the source for climate change is from the "authority of the State". The State isnot an expert on weather. The State and the electric companies will prosper if this plan goes
through, not the people. If they are the source for the foundation of a plan where they prosper,that is a conflict of interest.
I want to say a big mahalo to the commissioner who asked for them to talk about the Hawaii
land trusts in the plan. That was a wonderful request. I haven't seen any info on it so I'mcurious to hear what they say.
I know that you are all volunteers and I cannot express how much I really do appreciate you
and your time. I'm very sorry if my intensity has come across as an attack. That was never myintention. Without you, this plan goes through to people who are paid and may not have the
public's best interest at heart. You do, and I really appreciate that.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Mele Kalikimaka,
Michelle Melendez-Freedom Activist
Fitness and Wellness Expert Since 1996
Author Of The Best Selling and 4x Award Winning Book,
End Dieting Hell: How to find peace in your body and release the weight
Order your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here
"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here
From:Seraph D"Alerta
To:WPCtestimony
Cc:LPCtestimony
Subject:Revise Hawaii general plan testimony
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 8:34:52 AM
Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld can have input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities arelocal Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live onBig Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, oractivities in the general plan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower theirproperty value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law §5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be furtherresearched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is thepdf showing the scientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for Good MorningAmerica and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other media outlets stating,"There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is the investors, in renewableenergy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private landmanagement practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursuethe acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes."Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring too because it's not the locals?"Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to pursing taking people's privateproperty? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused on people growingmore food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island!We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou,has created an Ag Villages plan.
Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou SitePlan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You cansee it in the pdf below: PartOne:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdfPart Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdfHere is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdfThe way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island.
Aloha Seraph D’Alerta
From:Sloan Brockman
To:WPCtestimony
Cc:LPCtestimony
Subject:Revise Hawaii general plan testimony
Date:Thursday, December 19, 2024 8:33:01 AM
Aloha Commissioners, The Big island Plan cannot go through the way it is designed. It is hard to believe any local helpeddesign this plan. Here are some concerns: There is a huge part of the plan dedicated to "Climate Change". However, why do most experts statethere is NO climate danger? Climate Experts Speak Out Against Climate Danger Click Here!The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in the entireworld can have input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities arelocal Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live onBig Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, oractivities in the general plan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial forthe success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interestsare considered. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to unelectedofficials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use will bechanged from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower theirproperty value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law §5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be furtherresearched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is thepdf showing the scientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for Good MorningAmerica and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other media outlets stating,"There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is the investors, in renewableenergy, want to make these changes. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move forwardwithout that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private landmanagement practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursuethe acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes."Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring too because it's not the locals?"Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to pursing taking people's privateproperty? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused on people growingmore food and it is doing the exact opposite! This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island!We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou,has created an Ag Villages plan.
Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou SitePlan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You cansee it in the pdf below: PartOne:https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdfPart Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdfHere is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdfThe way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. AlohaSloan
From:Michelle Melendez
To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony
Subject:My verbal Testimony in written form (mahalo)
Date:Saturday, December 21, 2024 2:42:31 PM
Aloha Commissions,
Here is my written testimony of my verbal testimony:
I believe this is my tenth time speaking at these meetings about the GP and have yet
to see one local in support of this plan. Yet, we’re meant to believe locals helped
create this plan.
This plan has so many things that indicate the State, and electric companies are the
ones who will prosper, not locals and not our future keiki.
We were told the land for Conservation is already State land. Yet, land allocated for
Conservation runs nearly the entire coast of Big Island. There are private land owners
who own coast land so that cannot be true that all current Conservation land is owned
by the State.
Where are Hawaiian Homelands in this plan?
When I do a word search I get "not found".
What I’m concerned with most:
Land that will be "acquired" for Conservation, Natural, and Rural land. It even
says that they’ll “lease” it back to the farmer. This land should be used to grow
more food, not be taken away from people and conserved.
The wording of the plan is confusing:
For example: “Immediate steps shall be taken to designate treatment plant
sites, sewerage pump station sites, and sewer easements according to the
facility plans to facilitate their acquisition.” pg. 137 (27.3) Does this mean they
want to immediately acquire people's land for sewage sites?
It shows that it wants to move people into clustered housing. Page 10 Cluster
Plan Development (CPD) refers to a land use planning strategy where
residential or commercial development is concentrated in specific areas while
preserving larger portions of the land as open space or natural areas. In this
approach, buildings are grouped closely together, often in a compact or
clustered manner, rather than being evenly dispersed across a site. This will not
benefit Big Island people and should be removed.
Electric cars are extremely dangerous and are a hazard waste that we cannot
put in our landfills. A commission asked what if we just have EVs for the
government and not public and another commission said we must have zero
emissions. Why? Whose policy is that? Why can’t it just be for the State?
People do not want electric vehicles. They are a hazard waste that we cannot
put in or landfills so what will we do with them when they die?
VERY Concerning: Page 11: “Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design (CPTED) is a multidisciplinary approach of crime prevention that uses
urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural
environments.” This sounds like Big Brother and surveillance. What does this
mean? This looks like the creation of a police State.
Please motion to stop this plan from moving forward. Big Island will never be the
same. It will not support Hawaiians coming back to live here. It will do the exact
opposite.
Please reschedule both January meetings for testimony on the GP. More people will
want to be heard and this plan is the foundation for the future of Big Island. All
meetings should be honored.
Mahalo nui loa for your time. I know you are volunteers and we really do appreciate
you.
Aloha,
Michelle Melendez
Fitness and Wellness Expert Since 1996
Author Of The Best Selling and 4x Award Winning Book,
End Dieting Hell: How to find peace in your body and release the weight
Order your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here
"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here
On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 2:25 PM Michelle Melendez <michelle@blossominnerwellness.com>wrote:
Aloha Commissioners,
I want to apologize for my intensity during testimony. It's not personal or an attack on any ofyou. I really appreciate you and your time. I know you're volunteers.
My intensity is due to this plan and my huge concern of the possibilities that it will move
forward.
There was a commissioner that asked what would happen if it didn't go through, which itshould not. Mahalo for the question. This plan should not be rushed just because it's over the
time limit when it should have been adopted. If it will harm the island and the people here,which it will, it must be recommended that it not go through. I pray that you do that.
The general plan manager said they took input from locals to create this plan. I don't know
one local that would want a plan like this, and not one has shown up to speak on behalf ofthe plan in the 10 meetings I've attended.
She also stated the source for climate change is from the "authority of the State". The State
is not an expert on weather. The State and the electric companies will prosper if this plangoes through, not the people. If they are the source for the foundation of a plan where they
prosper, that is a conflict of interest.
I want to say a big mahalo to the commissioner who asked for them to talk about the Hawaiiland trusts in the plan. That was a wonderful request. I haven't seen any info on it so I'm
curious to hear what they say.
I know that you are all volunteers and I cannot express how much I really do appreciate youand your time. I'm very sorry if my intensity has come across as an attack. That was never
my intention. Without you, this plan goes through to people who are paid and may not havethe public's best interest at heart. You do, and I really appreciate that.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Mele Kalikimaka,
Michelle Melendez-Freedom Activist
Fitness and Wellness Expert Since 1996
Author Of The Best Selling and 4x Award Winning Book,
End Dieting Hell: How to find peace in your body and release the weight
Order your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here
"Great Maui Land Grab" NOW Available here
From:alicia palmvalleyfarm.com
To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony
Subject:Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony or postpone until a Hilo CDP may be established.
Date:Sunday, December 22, 2024 1:00:32 AM
After several meetings with the community members we would like to see changes made to theproposed General Plan.
Here are some concerns:
1. The plan defines " Stakeholder " 86 times, which means anyone in the world can have input on
this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. LocalCommunities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, andindividuals who live on Big Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affected by
projects, decisions, or activities in the general plan. Effective local community engagement and
management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that
diverse perspectives and interests are considered. 2. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions tounelected officials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page188, 40.8. 3. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land usewill be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically
lower their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the
Aloha Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made
pono again.
4. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be
further researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger.Here is the pdf showing the scientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for GoodMorning America and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other media
outlets stating, "There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is the
investors, in renewable energy, want to make these changes.
5. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move
forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island.
6. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize
private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when
appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives"mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring too
because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to
pursing taking people's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan
should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite! 7. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for BigIsland! We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident ofPapaikou, has created an Ag Villages plan.
Ag Village to add to the General Plan:
Papaikou Ag Village Objectives:
https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf
Papaikou Site Plan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development:
https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf
A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You can
see it in the pdf below:PartOne: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdfPart Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdf
Here is a longer revised version of the plan from locals:
https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdfThe way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. It is also a Constitutional right
for us to travel. Limiting the amount of miles driven should not be considered in the General Plan.
Preferably, we would like to see this plan addressed and rewritten after establishing a new CDP.
There is no reason to rush this plan given the amount of concerns our community would like to furtherinvestigate. We are able to continue with the 2005 plan until a satisfactory plan is rewritten.
Mahalo,
Alicia Wills
Palm Valley Farm LLC
Land Owner
From:Oda, Michelle
To:Planning General Plan; WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony
Subject:FW: Reschedule General Plan 2045 Meetings in January 2025
Date:Monday, December 23, 2024 11:35:02 AM
Attachments:image001.png
Hi,
Forwarding email for your attention and use.
Thank you,
Michelle Oda
County of Hawaii, Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 | Hilo, HI 96720
Direct: (808) 961-8129
Michelle.Oda@hawaiicounty.gov
From: Sakai, Kimberly <Kimberly.Sakai@hawaiicounty.gov>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 10:54 AM
To: Planning Internet Mail <planning@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: FW: Reschedule General Plan 2045 Meetings in January 2025
From: Mele Akua <mele_akua@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 10:49 AM
Subject: Reschedule General Plan 2045 Meetings in January 2025
To Hawaii County Planning Department and Windward Planning Commission:
Please reschedule the Windward Planning Commission General Plan meetings in
January 2025 for public testimony.
There is practically no knowledge of the GP 2045 among Big Island locals, yet it will
change how we ALL live here. As someone already testified, we all get a property taxbill in the mail, so why weren't we sent a letter about the General Plan Meetings,
encouraging public participation? Whenever I ask someone if they heard about the
General Plan 2045, they ALWAYS - 100% of the time answer "No, what is that?"
The public, who you claim to serve, deserves the right to learn about the GP 2045
and give their public testimonies on it, yet you've taken one opportunity away by
cancelling the January 2 & 3 meetings.
If you really work for us, then show us by rescheduling the January meetings.
Do what is right for the benefit of the people not to the benefit of the few.
Mahalo!
From:Kim Magoon
To:WPCtestimony; LPCtestimony
Subject:RESCHEDULE the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony January meeting
Date:Friday, December 27, 2024 5:48:31 PM
Aloha,
I’m wondering why the Big Island General Plan (GP) 2045 public testimony meetings
were canceled for January. I along with many others would like to request that they
be rescheduled and accessible for us in January. It is important for the community to
be able to learn more about these proposed items and be able to have input on things
that will greatly affect us.
PLEASE RESCHEDULE THE JANUARY MEETINGS.
Mahalo
Kim MagoonMagoon808@gmail.com
From:tina Baugh Garber
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:I vote no to general plan, twenty forty five.Hawaii big island.
Date:Sunday, December 29, 2024 3:58:50 PM
Public declaration of opting out
Absolutely NO General Plan 2045 Hawaii Big Island. I VOTE NO
THIS IS MY PUBLIC NOTIFICATION THAT I AM OPTING OUT AND WILL NOTPARTICIPATE IN THIS PLAN AT ALL, OTHER THAN TO VOTE, NO AND TO OPT
OUT. I am making a public declaration. I will not be party to this in any form, fashion shape or
how.I vote NO on General Plan 2045.
Furthermore, I will absolutely not have anything to do with this bill, and this bill will not haveanything to do with me any property or any livelihoods or possessions that I have OR anything
my children A and Z have. You are not allowed to touch anything or to take or controlanything I own.
Everything I have I've worked for.This is my public declaration. This is my world declaration. You are not implementing this in
any way on me, or any of my family.
This island should revolt against you, and this bill. This is not right. This is a deception
telling us that they can fix a problem of tomorrow when they cannot even fix anything today.Nor have they fixed yesterday.
It's a joke. I will not be party to this ugly ugly horrible plan of General plan 2045 Hawaii BigIsland.
You will have three days to respond to my declaration. If not, this is a legal and binding
contract.You have five business days to respond in writing via mail usps, from today. Dec 29, 2024 at
3:43 p.m. Hawaii time
You've been served.
Tina M. Garber3**-**-7434
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get Outlook for Android
From:tina Baugh Garber
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:Reject
Date:Monday, December 30, 2024 7:01:32 AM
Reject this plan.
I reject this plan. The future generations REJECT this plan.
NO to General Plan 2045
NO to stealing lands and land rights. NO to stealing any Hawaiian land.
NO to the stealing any native or privately owned land.
NO NO NO
STOP.
From:Mike Reimer
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:testimony for Hawaii General Plan 2045
Date:Tuesday, January 7, 2025 5:56:29 AM
Attachments:TESTIMONY Hawaii General Plan 2025 to be sent January 7 with cover letter.docx
Leeward Planning CommissionWest Hawai‘i Civic CenterBuilding E Second Floor74-5044 Ane Keohokālole HighwayKailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96720 Sirs: I am submitting testimony as an attachment for the Leeward Planning CommissionJanuary 16-17, 2025 Special General Plan Meeting. Respectfully yours, /s/ Michael Reimer, Ph.D.GeologistDenver, COGeoMike5@att.netJanuary 7, 2025
Leeward Planning Commission
West Hawai‘i Civic Center
Building E Second Floor
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway
Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96720
Sirs:
I am submitting testimony as an attachment for the Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 Special General Plan Meeting.
Respectfully yours,
/s/
Michael Reimer, Ph.D.
Geologist
Denver, CO
GeoMike5@att.net
January 7, 2025
TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 p. 1
The concern that the Hawai`i County 2045 General Plan does not include sufficient
discussion of subsurface issues has been presented in public forums and has
considerable merit because, in Hawai`i, there is a strong connection of subsurface
environment and the surface ecosystem.
Perhaps the best way to state concern about this omission is to mention a statement by
Dr. Nicole Deziel, lead author of an article addressing subsurface environmental
manipulation. In an overview of her article, she cautioned, “Researchers and
policymakers tend to focus on only one domain, when they really are interconnected.”
(Synergies and Trade-Offs in Reducing Impacts of Unconventional Oil and Gas
Development on Wildlife and Human Health in Bioscience 72: 472-480, March 2022).
Because of this robust surface and subsurface domain connection on Hawai`i Island, I
strongly concur with the concern to have the 2045 General Plan include subsurface
issues and I provide commentary on some issues that have been previously mentioned.
The issue of the subsurface environment with emphasis on hydraulic fracturing (or
fracking) has been addressed as a need for inclusion in the 2045 Hawai`i County
General Plan (Brenda Ford, Letter to Editor, West Hawai`i Today, December 6, 2024).
When fracking is mentioned, most people think of it being employed for enhanced oil
and gas extraction from tight rock formations underground. That may not seem to have
any application in Hawai`i but fracking can be used for much more than oil and gas
extraction and for situations that are common in Hawai`i. For example, hydraulic
fracturing can be used for: Stimulating groundwater wells; Mining; Waste remediation
and disposal; Measuring Earth stress; Electricity generation for geothermal resources;
Geological sequestration of CO2; Pumped storage hydroelectricity (for non oil and gas
issues, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fracking).
Because the impact of fracking extends beyond underground rocks and fluids, and
influences both surface and atmospheric characteristics, fracking, and indeed, other
subsurface activities that may be implemented, are reasonable items for discussion and
inclusion in the General Plan. Fracking exclusion was added in 2013 to the Hawai`i
County Code (Chapter 14), Article 21, Section 14-120 through 14-127. There will most
likely be requests for exceptions to this exclusion. There was a plan in 2015 to evaluate
the possibility of a geothermal resource on Hualālai but it was canceled.
(https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/university-of-Hawai`i-cancels-planned-geothermal-
exploration-work-at-hualalai/).
TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 p. 2
In 2023, Hawai`ian Home Lands was seeking to evaluate the development of
geothermal resources under its lands. (https://www.higp.Hawai`i.edu/hggrc/Hawai`ian-
home-lands-seeks-6m-to-test-for-geothermal-power/). Therefore, including a discussion
of subsurface development in the County Plan is merited.
There is a long history of fracturing rock as a means to increase its permeability.
Increasing permeability was first used in the 1860s to increase the amount of water
available to wells. Explosives were lowered into the drilled or dug well. This practice
was given a name and called ”shooting the well,” and had a very localized effect. This
practice of increasing permeability of rocks on a large scale was then applied to oil
recovery and recently to gas recovery as a means of extracting more energy resources
from underground areas where rock permeability is so low as to prevent free flow of
those fluids. Perhaps the largest use of fracking was a project to use atomic bombs to
cause “fracking” over vast areas. This was done in the 1950s as part of Project
Plowshare, when the concept of using atomic weapons to create great canals was
proposed, perhaps to form competition to the Panama Canal. It was also thought to be
applicable to enhance the flow of natural gas by increasing permeability of tight rock. In
1969, an atomic bomb was set off underground near Rulison, Colorado to see if it could
enhance flow in natural gas by fracturing the fine-grained, low-permeability sandstone of
the Williams Fork Formation of the Mesaverde Group. It did, but the gas was
radioactive and not really useful for commercial use.
(https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/04/f74/RulisonFactSheet.pdf).
Although this seemed an extreme fracking approach, today’s hydraulic fracking
activities are not without their own pollution problems. Hawai`i government agencies
are no stranger to pollution effects from various activities in the state, including disposal
of public sewage wastewater and pollution created by military activities, the most recent
of the latter being the Red Hill fuel releases into potable groundwater supplies and the
use of radioactive materials in training exercises on Oahu and Hawai`i Island.
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a drilling technology that involves pumping large
quantities of fluids at high pressure into a wellbore and into the target rock formation.
The fluid typically contains water, a proppant (a material like spherical sand particles to
keep the fractures open), and chemical additives. A large fracking operation can
require millions of gallons of water pumped underground. The chemicals, in large part
used to reduce the viscosity of water so the proppant flows readily into the fractures, are
often stored in surface holding ponds that are unlined and can leach into the ground and
become part of the natural groundwater. The hydraulic fracturing operation itself, with
TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 p. 3
its above ground equipment and chemical mixing ponds, is a major source of pollution
and, it is not necessarily the fracturing of rock that causes large-scale introduction of
pollutants into the groundwater, but the leaching from the surface chemical holding
ponds into the subsurface that pollutes potable water sources.
(https://www.nrdc.org/stories/fracking-101#work).
One point I will make is that the impacts of hydraulic fracturing are still being studied.
Many of the chemicals injected to force fracture have not been evaluated to know their
potential toxicity. They have no EPA guidelines for a level of concern. It is a complex
system and pros and cons can be found to argue any individual point. It is not sufficient
to say that analyses for contaminants only for which EPA has guidelines have been
conducted and none are above the EPA thresholds levels of concern. There are
thousands of chemicals that EPA has not studied for their toxicity that end up in potable
groundwater supplies. But a rule of thumb can be applied. Those chemicals at any
level used in fracking should not be there. There is little doubt that fracking operations
do pose risks to human health and not just for oil and gas resource enhancement
(https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/study-links-fracking-drinking-water-
pollution-and-infant-heath: see Hill, Elaine L. and Lala Ma, 2022, Drinking water,
fracking, and infant health, J. Health Econ., 102595).
I note that there had been some discussion in the public forum (Bobby Camara, Letter
to Editor, West Hawai`i Today, December 21, 2024) about the issue of fracking and
contamination of the main island system of freshwater lying above the oceanic salt
water in the same aquifer of the island. The letter postulated that there would be no
mixing of the two waters (i.e., contamination) because the lower density of the
freshwater would always keep it above the denser saline water. The Ghyben-Herzberg
groundwater system was referenced. That model is useful only in static conditions, and
not the real-world dynamic system where stacked aquifer systems are always forced
into a mixing scenario. Tidal forces, differential concentration diffusion, recharge of
freshwater, removal of the freshwater through well pumping are some examples of how
the system is constantly mixed. (Wentworth, C.K., 1947. Factors in the behavior of
groundwater in a Ghyben-Herzberg system. Pac Sci 1(3): 172-184). Fracking can
increase the interchange between those two systems.
On Hawai`i Island, there are occurrences of perched water reservoirs where there is an
impermeable layer between that perched freshwater reservoir and lower
freshwater/saline water reservoir. An example of one such perched reservoir was found
from drilling at Pōhakuloa Training Area Training Area (PTA) as the Army was trying to
find a local potable water source so they did not have to transport water.
TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 p. 4
Freshwater is provided to PTA by trucking, a major operation that requires about 4,000
trucks a year with 5,000 gallons each of potable water. The cost is over three million
dollars a year. The Army entered into a cooperative project in 2013 to drill at PTA to
see if freshwater could be found to provide supply for PTA. The plan was to drill a hole
over 6,000 feet deep to encounter the saline level at sea level and hope that freshwater
reservoirs were found above this saline level. Surprisingly, the drill hole encountered a
perched freshwater reservoir at a 600-foot depth.
(https://www.dvidshub.net/news/229643/army-taps-consortium-find-water-training-area-
high-up-hawaiian-volcano).
Any near-surface reservoir could easily become contaminated from the toxins used
during training exercises, just as the unlined ponds for fracking development have
leached through the porous overburden into groundwater. The freshwater perched
reservoir found was never developed. This drilling occurred in 2013 and it is unknown if
the contamination from the PTA surface operations contaminated that shallow
freshwater reservoir. Such a potential pollution source is described below but it is not
the only one that could provide contaminants for underground water sources.
A major concern of groundwater pollution today is “forever chemicals”, those per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly used in fire-fighting foams, which do not
breakdown in the environment contribute greatly to health risks. The U.S. Army has
been analyzing for those “forever chemicals” that have been part of the releases into the
environment from their training activities at PTA and Kilauea Military Reservation.
(https://aec.army.mil/aec/6616/9869/7418/PTA-KMR_PFAS_PASI.pdf).
The analyses so far seem to have been only conducted in soils and not groundwater.
This 2023 report states that, for PTA, historical reports place ground water levels
several hundred to 1,000 feet or more below the surface and so they were not sampled.
It is incongruous that this 2023 report ignored the perched groundwater table found at
600 feet below the surface as it was being considered for a potable water source.
Testing it would have provided important information on the rate of movement of
contaminants below the surface. The Army has established their own risk-based
screening concentration levels above which they would conduct further studies for
remedial action. That level was set at 70 parts per trillion. In a report of July 2023,
concentrations in soils were found at PTA above those levels (Table ES-1 in
https://aec.army.mil/aec/6616/9869/7418/PTA-KMR_PFAS_PASI.pdf).
TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 p. 5
The Army states “While not an enforceable regulatory standard, this represents a
concentration in drinking water that is not expected to produce adverse health effects if
the water is consumed over an entire lifetime.” (https://aec.army.mil/PFAS/HI/PTA). No
reference to support that claim is given in that notice.
However, this is now in conflict with recent U.S. EPA levels. In April of 2024, the U.S.
EPA set levels for drinking water, depending on the type of forever chemical, at 4-10
parts per trillion. (https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas).
“EPA expects that over many years the final rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking
water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce
tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.” Ibid.) This statement from
EPA about PFAS contamination foretells a tremendous health benefit with the
elimination of this toxin in the environment.
Why would fracking be done at PTA? Perhaps for several reasons, not only to increase
water flow from the perched water reservoir but to include underground waste disposal
and energy production. It was noted that when this perched water was found at PTA,
lower levels of that groundwater were found to be at higher temperatures, up to 250
degrees Fahrenheit. It was suggested at the time of that finding, the warmer water
could be used as a source of steam to run electricity-generating turbines.
(https://eos.org/articles/underground-water-reserves-found-hawaiis-high-country).
The contamination risk could be exacerbated with fracking operations, opening flow
paths from a larger volume for water migration. Another potential source of
contamination is injecting waste underground. In 2005, when the EPA began enforcing
elimination of cesspools containing human excreta, it provided the U.S. Army at PTA
with minimum regulations to prevent the contamination of groundwater that could be
used for drinking purposes by underground injections of that waste. Fracking is a
means to increase underground storage reservoirs for fluids and gases. The U.S. Army
operated six large capacity cesspools at that time.
(https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/cafo-pohakuloa05.pdf).
A study conducted by the University of Hawai`i showed how injecting wastewater into a
saline underlying reservoir would contaminate a freshwater reservoir above it (Duane L.
Heutmaker, Frank L. Peterson, and Stephen W. Wheatcraft, March 1977, Technical
Report No. 107, A laboratory study of waste injection into a Ghyben-Herzberg
groundwater system under dynamic conditions). Fracking would increase the pollution
potential.
TESTIMONY: Hawai`i County General Plan 2045: Leeward Planning Commission
January 16-17, 2025 p. 6
The larger picture is one of critical interest. Because fracking and other technologies
that impact the subsurface can influence the surface and atmospheric environment it is
worthwhile to address it as a concern in the General Plan. Hawai`i’s social, cultural,
economic, health, safety, and quality of life domains among others depend on
sustainability of the environment. There is a chance to minimize additional negative
impacts in the future. And that needs to be addressed now.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Reimer, Ph.D.
Geologist
Denver, CO
GeoMike5@att.net
January 7, 2025