HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 Jane Tollefsrud & DeWaine Tollefsrud Support
From: Jane & DeWaine
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Testimony: Support for the purpose of Bill 170
Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 3:30:27 PM
Attachments: 9_21_26 Testimony_DataCenters.docx
Aloha, Please accept our testimony supporting the purpose of Bill 170, submitted here first as a doc,
followed by a text version of the same.
Thank you, Jane Tollefsrud &
DeWaine Tollefsrud 15-1543 Beach Rd
Keaau, HI 96749
Testimony on Data Centers in HI 9/21/26
Support for Bill 170
Honorable Planning Commission members,
Thank you for taking the time to hear public testimony regarding definitions, and regulations
regarding Data Centers, and Data Processing Centers in Hawaii.
With today’s acceleration of AI in our world, it is imperative, as Hawaii enters into this new
technology, that we create realistic and safe legislation, and accountability measures that
protect our land and communities against the demands that Data Centers and Data Processing
Centers would require.
Living on an island amplifies the reality of limited resources.
*Fresh Water is a top priority that I do not feel like sharing with a corporate facility.
*According to AI data, “Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the United States, …
more than double to triple the U.S. national average.”
With the current trend of EVERYTHING becoming more expensive, one can only imagine what
is going to happen with our Helco bill! It will not be good. Adding Data Centers &/or Data
Processing Centers would exasperate the situation, immensely.
Before developing legislation, and recommendations to develop and monitor Data Centers,
and Data Processing Centers, please take the time to create precise language to define Data
Centers, and differentiate this definition from that of Data Processing Centers. Also, please do
not include Data Centers & Data Processing Centers as a permitted use in Hawaii County.
As we move into the increased demands of AI and Data Centers, let’s first develop a strong
scaffolding to support and protect our island(s), and our communities as we navigate this rush
into the future.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
JaneTollefsrud
DeWaine Tollefsrud
15-1543 Beach Rd.
Keaau, HI 96749
Testimony on Data Centers in HI 9/21/26
Support for Bill 170
Honorable Planning Commission members,
Thank you for taking the time to hear public testimony regarding definitions, and regulations
regarding Data Centers, and Data Processing Centers in Hawaii.
With today’s acceleration of AI in our world, it is imperative, as Hawaii enters into this new
technology, that we create realistic and safe legislation, and accountability measures that
protect our land and communities against the demands that Data Centers and Data Processing
Centers would require.
Living on an island amplifies the reality of limited resources.
*Fresh Water is a top priority that I do not feel like sharing with a corporate facility.
*According to AI data, “Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the United States, …
more than double to triple the U.S. national average.”
With the current trend of EVERYTHING becoming more expensive, one can only imagine what is
going to happen with our Helco bill! It will not be good. Adding Data Centers &/or Data
Processing Centers would exasperate the situation, immensely.
Before developing legislation, and recommendations to develop and monitor Data Centers, and
Data Processing Centers, please take the time to create precise language to define Data
Centers, and differentiate this definition from that of Data Processing Centers. Also, please do
not include Data Centers & Data Processing Centers as a permitted use in Hawaii County.
As we move into the increased demands of AI and Data Centers, let’s first develop a strong
scaffolding to support and protect our island(s), and our communities as we navigate this rush
into the future.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
JaneTollefsrud
DeWaine Tollefsrud
15-1543 Beach Rd.
Keaau, HI 96749