HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12 PL-SPP-2024-000075 Opposition Testimony from Maile Lavea-MalloeFrom:Maile Lavea-Malloe
To:Planning WPC Testimony
Subject:Opposition to the special permit application by Teppy Mountain LLC (PL-SPP-2024-000075)
Date:Tuesday, May 12, 2026 5:17:20 PM
Aloha,
I am writing in strong opposition to the specialpermit application by Teppy Mountain LLC
(PL-SPP-2024-000075) to host an annual multi-day festival on agricultural land in
Papaikou.
Agricultural land in Hawaii is a limited and precious resource. Approving this permit would
set a dangerous precedent for the conversion of ag land across Hawaii Island.
The applicant has already held this event
several times without a permit, accumulated over $34,000 in fines, and is currently
appealing those fines while simultaneously seeking this permit. This pattern of disregard
for county rules does not inspire confidence that permit conditions will be respected going
forward.
I also urge the commission to scrutinize the application’s designation of only 14.7 acres for
festival use on a 1,400-acre property. This appears designed specifically to stay just
under the 15-acre threshold for a higher level of review, and does not reflect the true scale
and impact of this proposal.
Our rural communities, our farming families, and our agricultural lands deserve protection. I
respectfully urge the commission to deny this application.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Maile Lavea-Malloe
Pepeʻekeo Village, Makahanaloa, Hawaiʻi Island