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From: Calley O"Neill <br /> To: WPCtestimonv <br /> Cc: Calley O"Neill;Julia Fairchild; Harvey Stone; Sandi Playsted; Kathleen Thoene <br /> Subject: Testimony re: Punalu'u SMA(PL-SMA-2023-000046) <br /> Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 11:08:49 AM <br /> Importance: High <br /> Honorable Members of the Board, <br /> I stand before you today from our home with a heavy heart and a fervent plea to <br /> reconsider the granting of a special permit for the development of a hotel at Punaluu. As a <br /> dedicated, respected conservation artist and ardent supporter of Hawaiian wisdom and <br /> culture, I urge you to recognize the irreparable ecological and cultural damage this project <br /> would inflict upon our precious land. <br /> Punaluu is notjust a location; it is a sacred site deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage <br /> of Hawaii. It holds the stories of our ancestors, the wisdom of our indigenous people, and <br /> the spirit of our land. Allowing the construction of a hotel on this hallowed ground would <br /> desecrate its sanctity and erase centuries of history and tradition. Punalu'u has already <br /> endured too much desecration. <br /> Moreover, the ecological ramifications of such a development cannot be overstated. <br /> Punaluu is home to diverse and fragile ecosystems, teeming with unique flora and fauna <br /> found nowhere else on Earth. The proposed hotel would disrupt these delicate habitats, <br /> leading to irreversible harm to endemic species and disrupting the natural balance of <br /> PUnalu'u's invaluable environment. <br /> We must not sacrifice our indigenous cultural heritage and ecological integrity for short- <br /> term economic gain. Instead, let us honor our ancestors, respect our land, and preserve <br /> Punaluu for future generations to cherish and enjoy. I urge you to reject the special permit <br /> and stand on the right side of history, nature, and the future by protecting Punaluu from <br /> exploitation and degradation. <br /> Mahalo nui loa for your consideration. <br /> Malama Honua, <br /> Malama Honua, <br /> Calley <br /> Calley O'Neill <br /> CONSERVATION ARTIST <br /> PO Box 6571 <br /> Kamuela,Hawai'i 96743 <br /> Mobile: (808)987-7003 <br /> www.CalleyONeill.com <br /> www.TheRamaExhibition.or, <br />