HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 Ralph Blancato Opposition
From: Ralph Blancato
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 7:39:02 PM
Aloha Leeward Planning Commission and Planning Department,
My name is [ralph Blancato ], and I am from [ Kapaau Hawaii ]. 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.
[ADD YOUR OWN REASON WHY YOU TESTIFIED HERE]we have many issues in Hawaii that far supersede the needs of a data center 1 water usage for the public 2 utility bills some of the highest in the US Data centers are constructed to facilitate an industry that has far reaching detrimental consequences for our aina, keiki and quality of life that we Malama. I vehemently oppose bill 170 as a tax paying voting member of Hawai’i Mahalo, Ralph Blancato Box 310 Kapaau 96755
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