HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 Sylvia Dolena Testimony
From: Sylvia Dolena
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: Testimony Bill 170 & Planning Department input
Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 3:56:03 PM
Aloha Leeward Planning Commission and Planning Department,
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.
Mahalo,
Sylvia Dolena, Mountain View, HI Sylvia Dolena
Owner, Pele Lani Farm LLC Owner, Winning Edge Women's Leadership Director, Puna Rising Entrepreneur Hub Co-founder, Aloha Animal Advocates, HI Domestic non-profit Director, Malama O'Puna. 501c3 President, Aloha Lokahi Association, 501c3 President, Kulia I Ka Nu'u Outreach Services Vice President, Love Those Dog Paws, 501c3 Executive Coach, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises