HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-22 Jazzmin Awa OppositionFrom: Jazzmin Awa
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Testimony in opposition to item 3 on agenda for 9-24-26 LPC meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 10:22:03 PM
Aloha,
I am writing in opposition to the Planning Directors recommendations in regards to amendments to Chapter 25 of
the Hawaii County Code 1083 related to zoning, specifically related to bill no. 170, amending the definition of data
processing facility and adding a new definition of data center.
Upon reading the purpose of the bill - “to prevent a data center from from being interpreted as a permitted data
processing facility in the Industrial-Commercial Mixed Use (MCX) district and to clarify that data centers are not
presently permitted under the Zoning Code,” I agreed with it on its face. I believe that data centers have no place on
this island. They pollute the environment, provide no economic benefits (do not bring long term stable jobs as they
run with little to no staff), and they are energy and water intensive.
However, the planning director in his recommendations intends to allow data centers in general industrial districts
up to 10,000 square feet with no use permit - meaning no review for electricity demand, water use, noise levels, or
any other land use impacts. 9,999 square feet is a pretty large data center facility! In his own report he states
“Building area does
not independently measure electricity demand, water use, noise, cooling technology, or generator capacity.” So why
the arbitrary size limit?
His report also references east coast and Midwest jurisdictions with much greater land availability and water supply
and even still one of them has a moratorium on data centers. Please do not allow for the planning director’s
recommendations. I ask that you recommend that the County Council amends the county code to distinguish data
centers from data processing facilities while also making it clear there is no place for data centers in the zoning on
this island at all. Big Island does not want nor need data centers, they will benefit no one but the oligarchs that own
them.
Mahalo nui loa,
Jazzmin Awa
jazzminw12@gmail.com
Holualoa, HI