Communication number 2017-13 Puako Community Association Capital Improvement Program Request

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Tmake COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION November 27, 2017 Mr. Michael Yee Planning Director, County of Hawaii Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi St. Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Subject: Request for CIP funding for a wastewater treatment system for Puako Dear Mr. Yee: Communication no. 2017-13 The Puako Community Association (PCA) voted at its board meeting on November 6th 2017 to submit a request for inclusion of funding for a Puako community wastewater treatment system on the CIP list of projects for the next fiscal year. Our South Kohala CDP Action Committee member, George Robertson, will ask that the matter be approved by the A/C at the November 27th meeting with other recommendations of the A/C for CIP funding. Our request is for $5 million from the County. We are engaged in a campaign to obtain similar funds from the State and Federal Governments. Representative Cindy Evans has offered her help and we have contacted U.S. Senator Brian Schatz for his kokua. We will likely seek a Chapter 32 facilities district designation to enable the project. The total project cost is approximately $15 million. The community has contributed $2.5 million for planning and science purposes and that work has been completed. The Coral Reef Alliance has administered these funds for us and assisted in much of the planning. Except for Puako, most of the South Kohala shoreline is served by wastewater treatment systems provided by the resorts. The coral reefs located along the South Kohala Coast are some of the most intact and ecologically important reefs in the State of Hawaii. NOAA has designated this area as a Coral Priority Management Site through the Habitat Blue Print Program. The reef at Puako is a precious resource for all of Hawaii Island, our residents and visitors alike. Unfortunately, the health of the reef is not good. Wastewater which seeps from cesspools and septic systems contains harmful bacteria, pathogens, and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, pharmaceuticals, and other household chemicals. Pathogens have been linked to coral disease and human health concerns. Algal blooms caused by excessive nutrients can kill corals and damage the coral reef ecosystem. The community's goal is to eliminate cesspools and septic systems entirely. The PCA respectfully asks for your help in bringing this important project into reality and to place this matter on the November 2017 A/C meeting agenda. Aloha, ZZ 4�'G Peter Hackstedde SCANNED President, Puako Community Association NOV 2 1 701? By°�._�.L�Q_ , Puako Community Association, P.O. Box 44345, Kawaihae, HI 96743