HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 Ila Jhaveri Testimony
From: Ila Jhaveri
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Bill 170
Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 9:00:02 AM
My name is Ila Jhaveri and I live in Hawi, Hawaii. I am writing to support the intent of Bill
170 and asking the Leeward Planning Commission to recommend additional strengthening changes before sending it back to the County Council.
Bill 170's current language uses subjective phrases like "industrial-scale operation" and "beyond that typically accessory or incidental to office, commercial, or public institutional
uses." Those phrases don't set a clear line, and a well-resourced developer's attorney can argue around them either way. I'm asking the Commission to recommend a clear, objective
definition of "data center," distinct from the county's existing "data processing facility" definition.
I'm also asking the Commission to reject the Planning Department's recommendation to add smaller data centers as a permitted use. That change would open a legal pathway for data
centers here rather than close one, with no discretionary review of grid impact, water, noise, or anything else.
Having data centers would impact us in many ways. We already have the highest electricity rates in the country. And our electricity service is inconsistent. How can we handle an
additional demand on our electricity?
And shouldn't we have a say in whether or not we want businesses here that will make our
water polluted and create sound pollution? We value the country life here. Many people value, and need to supplement their incomes by fishing. Having waste go into our water will
influence their abilities to feed their families. Others rely on tourism for jobs. Will polluting our water help with that? And how about the effect of sound pollution for helping Hawaii to
appeal to tourists? Please consider these questions.
Our island's closed water system, fossil-fuel-dependent grid, and already strained
infrastructure cannot support data centers. Please recommend the strongest possible version of this bill to the County Council.
Mahalo, Ila Jhaveri
Hawi