HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-14 Michelle Stefanik TestimonyItem #6 County Council Initiated Bill 170 (PL-CCI-2026-000018)
2026-10-14 Michelle Stefanik Testimony
Info Given at LPC 10-15-26 Meeting
From: Michelle S
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Written Testimony Bill 170
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 12:19:54 PM
Attachments:2026_10_14 - Data Center Testimony.docx
Please see my attached written testimony regarding Bill 170.
Thank you, Michelle Stefanik
LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION County of Hawai’i Aupuni Center
West Hawaii Civic Center, Council Chambers Building A
745044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 RE: Bill 170 Testimony
Aloha Chair and Commissioners,
My name is Michelle Stefanik, and I live in Waikōloa Village. I strongly support the intent of Bill 170 and its prohibition of data centers. However, I ask you to strengthen its definition and
reject the Planning Director’s recommendation to create a permitting pathway for data centers in
General Industrial districts.
The current definition uses subjective phrases such as “industrial-scale” and infrastructure beyond what is “typically accessory or incidental.” Those terms could be disputed by a developer or challenged in court. At a minimum, the definition should be objective and apply to the entire
development, including related buildings, adjoining parcels, affiliated companies, tenants,
applications, and construction phases.
However, I oppose all dedicated data centers, regardless of their size, electrical demand, number of buildings, or location. A 10,000-square-foot or 20-megawatt threshold would create an argument that anything just below that limit is acceptable. The Planning Department’s own
report acknowledges that square footage does not accurately measure electricity demand, water
use, noise, cooling technology, or generator capacity.
There is not enough long-term research to demonstrate that data centers will not harm Hawaiʻi Island’s residents, electrical system, water resources, and environment. I am concerned about continuous noise, cooling-water consumption, wastewater, and the possibility that residents will
ultimately pay for additional electrical generation and grid infrastructure.
For these reasons, I believe Hawaiʻi County should prohibit all dedicated data centers, regardless of size, for at least ten years. Although other communities have adopted shorter moratoriums, they are not located on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Our electrical grid is isolated, and our land and water resources are limited. If we get this wrong, we cannot simply
bring in more resources from a neighboring state.
Ten years would allow time to independently study the long-term effects data centers have had on mainland residents, utility costs, water resources, public health, and the land.
We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the ʻāina and protect it for future generations. Hawaiʻi Island should not become the experiment. After ten years, the prohibition should remain
unless independent evidence demonstrates that these facilities can operate without harming our residents or placing additional pressure on our limited resources.
Please recommend a strong, enforceable prohibition on all dedicated data centers, regardless of size, with no permitting pathway or loopholes.
Thank you for your consideration.
Michelle R. Stefanik
Waikoloa Resident