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From: Avery Enriaues <br /> To: W PCtesti mono <br /> Subject: Punalu'u Development Testimony <br /> Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 12:50:43 PM <br /> Aloha, <br /> Dear Windward Planning Commission and County of Hawai'i: I am a resident of Punalu'u and here is my testimony <br /> in opposition of the proposed development! <br /> Punalu'u is one of the last unspoiled natural habitats in Hawaii.There are very few places that still connect the <br /> people of Hawaii to the land, sea,and wildlife.It is also one of the largest areas of land Hawai'i has that is <br /> undeveloped which makes it so beautiful to those who visit and live here! The deep,tangible connection of <br /> Hawaiians to their ancestral heritage continues to be pure at Punalu'u,but currently,we are at risk of losing another <br /> vital part of our Hawaiian heritage to outside greed. <br /> The proposed development of Punalu'u will have disastrous consequences to the ecosystem, specific species like the <br /> Hawksbill turtle,monk seals and our avian populations.Once Punalu'u is developed,that tie to Hawaiians will be <br /> broken and the environment irreversibly harmed. <br /> Generations of Hawaiians have fought to repel outsiders from spoiling the land where they lived in harmony. <br /> Hawaiians have continued to fight to protect their land,culture,livelihoods,and independence—such is another <br /> fight now. <br /> We still have the scars from generations of outsiders taking advantage of our Aloha.They take our land,appropriate <br /> our culture,ignore our ancestral heritage,and steal our resources for their own gain.They grow their coffers of gold <br /> with our labor and resources,never benefitting Hawaiians,only their own greed.History has shown us that our land <br /> is an integral part of who we are as a culture. <br /> We are stewards of our land where wildlife flourish and our ancestors reside in the rich soil,buried on the rise <br /> overlooking Punalu'u.We steward this land for our ancestors and for our children.A gift in perpetuity that is now at <br /> risk to be simply another resort to profit one,not the many.To profit an outsider with no aloha`aina,only deep <br /> pockets. <br /> It's time to pause and evaluate how these conglomerations of buildings will destroy our land and our heritage.We <br /> have a sacred responsibility to honor our ancestors and protect our land.We need to fight like our ancestors fought. <br /> We need to be in control of our legacy,not witness the destruction,once again,of our beloved Hawaii at the hands <br /> of others. <br /> Join us in fighting against outside greed and work towards protecting our land for us all! <br /> Mahalo, <br /> Avery Enriques <br />