HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12 PL-SPP-2024-000075 Opposition Testimony from Kau'i YoungFrom:kauiyoung
To:Planning WPC Testimony
Subject:In Strong Opposition to the Special Permit Application by Teppy Mountain LLC (PL-SPP-2024-000075)
Date:Tuesday, May 12, 2026 9:12:52 PM
Aloha kākou:
I am writing in strong opposition to the special permit 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, one that willresult in irreparable harm to our stake in food security, thriving, abundant ʻāina. The
potentiality of approving this permit is a threat to the overall ecosystem of Hawaiʻi and ourability to engage in community care.
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 consistent and intentional disregard for county rules andpono community living 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 the15-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.
Me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,
Kauʻi Young
Hoʻokena, Hawaiʻi
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