HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 Asia Leong Testimony
From: Asia Leong
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Cc: Kimball, Heather; Inaba, Holeka; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Onishi, Dennis;
Hustace, James; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Alameda, Christian (Kimo);
generalpla@hawaiicounty.gov; Planning WPC Testimony
Subject: Bill 170 & Planning Department Public Comments
Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 12:00:35 PM
Aloha Leeward Planning Commission and Planning Department,
My name is Asia Leong. My testimony addresses both the Leeward Planning Commission and the Planning Department because you are asking the community for input on the same
concerns simultaneously.
I am asking our planning commissioners to reject the Planning Department’s recommendation, which prematurely revises regulations before defining what a data center is. Their proposal
currently lacks substantial safeguards. We must work to clarify definitions before defining regulations.
I support the intent of Bill 170, section 1, and urge the Leeward Planning Commission to
recommend a stronger definition of "data center" that distinguishes data-center processing. The original bill defines a data center using subjective language that a developer's attorney can
easily argue around in court. I am asking the commission to recommend an objective, airtight definition grounded in what the facility physically contains and how much power it draws.
Specifically, I am asking the commission to recommend this language:
"Data center" means a facility used for the industrial-scale operation of computer systems and associated equipment [for the processing, computing, transmission, or dissemination of digital
data] that requires supporting infrastructure beyond that typically accessory or incidental to office, commercial, or public and private institutional uses[.], including a single facility and
any campus of multiple facilities under common ownership or control whose combined electrical demand meets or exceeds 5 megawatts.
Thank you for your urgent consideration to this matter. The future of Hawaii, this land, our
people and culture, are at a pivotal point. It is so deeply important to protect the integrity of this place.
Mahalo Nui,
Asia Leong
Surfcamp Hawai’iKamuela | Honolulu@surfcamphawaii | surfcampshop.com