HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 Gabriel Grosshuesch Testimony
From: Gabriel Grosshuesch
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Bill 170
Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 1:45:14 PM
Aloha Members of the Leeward Planning Commission
My name is Gabriel Grosshuesch and I am from and live in Hawi, in North Kohala. 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.
I am a realist and I use technology every day, it has made many aspects of my life much easier and more organized. It has allowed me to stay connected with my family and friends, the local
community, as well as be extremely functional and productive in my job.
What I continue to see with these data centers around the country is honestly just pilau
behavior. The disregard of public insights, steam rolling projects through with little forethought or even proper zoning/surveys done. Contamination of water, destruction of
forests and soil health, noise pollution and honestly who knows what else.
Water is essential here in Hawai'i, we have limited sources. The development of data centers
would only surely tax what is already a heavily taxed system, not to mention who is fronting the bill for the rising cost of water. Where would these data centers get their water? How much
water would they use? Would they have priority access to water over say family owned businesses, because the data centers would be serving a public function (if that.)? These are all
questions I have heard people ask about data centers and we deserve to have the most thoughtful discussion about the use of our most precious resource.
I can't imagine the electrical draw these centers of any size might require and the impact that will have on our electrical grid and costs. People are already paying outrageous prices. Not to
mention the volatility of these grids, which was proven during the two most recent storms here in the islands. AI and the technology coming along with it are not physical priorities for
people in the islands, food, water, housing, healthcare and cost of living are our priorities. This technology will certainly affect us all, but having a clear understanding of how it's going to
affect us, is the first step.
My last thought in this testimony is simple and comes from my humble laboring 31 year-old
self. It is a great concern of mine how rapidly and easily billionaires and multi-millionaires have bought up land in our islands. How rapidly they are choosing to prioritize the
ARTIFICIAL world instead of the HUMAN world. I fear that prioritizing artificial intelligence over human intelligence will only lead to a disintegration of centuries of hard-
fought for human rights. Ones our own laborers sought when they kicked off the shackles of the colonial plantations. These ultra wealthy are not about human advancement, they are about
profit margins (proof can be seen in how little these wealthy contribute to our islands' public infrastructures while sitting on mountains of money).
AI should never replace HI (Human Intelligence) and thats what I see them doing.
Please recommend the strongest possible version of this bill to the County Council. Please put
the land, the people and more importantly, future generations first when you consider this bill.
Mahalo nui Loa
Sincerely, Gabriel Grosshuesch
Hawi, North Kohala, Hawai'i