HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-18 Judith Perino Testimony
From: Judith Perino
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Bill 170
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026 6:26:05 PM
September 19, 2026
RE: Bill 170 Hawaii County
To: Leeward Planning Commission Members
Although the reason for this bill seems to be to draw clear guidelines/distinctions between data centersand data processing facilities, we must be clear about all factors to be considered and that no loop holesexist for exploitation by any entity, group, or interests - private or public. I am aware that at least two exemptions to this bill already exist with University of Hawaii and Hawaiian Electric - was this ever putbefore the public in any hearing before being granted?
The ramifications of data centers must be fully considered and I'd like to point out a few very criticalconcerns to all of us living on Hawaii Island as follows:
>Data centers require millions of gallons of water per day to operate and would create a tremendousstrain on local water supplies. We have experienced dry periods where serious water restrictions wereimposed, and other situations resulting in subdivisions having no water for literally months due to wellequipment failure - remember Makalei some years ago? Water for our homes and communities is not reliable from year to year due to fluctuation of weather and antiquated equipment failure. Since equipment replacement parts are not readily available on the islands, and can take many months toacquire from mainland sources, data centers put us at greater risk for more serious shortages whenwater supply becomes uncertain. And if this were to happen, who'd get the water that's available -residents or the date center?
>Data centers are voracious grid straining hogs. Our electrical grid is hardly up to snuff now - theslightest disturbance and power is out and when we have serious weather, power is out for weeks as theeffects of Lala recently made apparent. We do not have the grid capacity for this increase in electricaldemand and the where with all to upgrade it to an acceptable level when we are trying to simply restorethe basics to our residents now that lost all power. Lines are still down in some areas. Heco apparentlydoes not have the capability to keep up with reliable service now! The need to fly in technicians from thewest coast to help after Lala clearly illustrates this point. To put this in perspective, one small datacenter uses the equivalent power required for 25,000 homes!
>Investments in local power grids, new substations, fiber optic networks and infrastructure would all berequired and all of these factors now are lacking and don't meet the needs of this island and theconstruction/development being currently undertaken.
>Health impacts from noise and pollution are a major concern. The decibels from a data center are compared to a constant heavy metal concert - who would want to live anywhere near this? Especiallysince in the islands, we live outside as much as inside with windows open all year around. It's simplyunthinkable!
>Additionally, the need to consistently update hardware creates significant quantities of electronic wastethat contains toxic materials. How would this be disposed of and where?
With all of these very critical considerations taken into account, I strongly oppose the development andapproval of any data center or facility of any size, shape, or form on the Big Island. And while Ms. Kimball's intentions may be to "close loopholes", we must take every precaution to insure nothing is everbuilt on this island that endangers and/or threatens the quality of life on our beautiful island home.
We don't need a bill to close loopholes, we need a bill that says, not now, not ever! NO DATA CENTERS ON THE BIG ISLAND!
Thank you,
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Judith Perino Kamuela, Hawaii
Judith Smith Perino Perino Designs
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