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From: Alice Birnbaum <br /> To: WPCtestimonv;Council Remote Testimony <br /> Subject: opposition testimony for Black Sand Beach LLC <br /> Date: Tuesday, March 5,2024 11:26:54 AM <br /> To: Windward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii <br /> Subject: Special Management Area permit for Punalu'u Village <br /> BLACK SAND BEACH LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000046) <br /> My name is Alice Birnbaum and I oppose Punalu'u Village and Black Sand Beach LLC <br /> development. <br /> I am a graduated Ka'u Pili Aina Steward and a volunteer with Malama Pono Punalu'u and I <br /> believe that this development will severely impacts all that makes Ka'u, Ka'u. <br /> -There is no updated EIS, environmental Impact Statement. <br /> -There is no disaster mitigation plan. <br /> -There is no burial treatment plan. <br /> It feels like these are crucial in respect to the community. If this developement is truly for the <br /> people of Ka'u, why have these important plans not been put in place, I do not understand. <br /> As a volunteer I want to urge the importance of protecting our native and endangered wildlife. <br /> Punalu'u is home to the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle and a nesting ground for the critically <br /> endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill turtle. This destructive development will lead to over <br /> population, light pollution, increase in traffic, etc and will completely alter this vital location <br /> for our honu and even critically endangered Monk seals. What will happen to them and where <br /> will they go if their environment is bombarded? How will they survive? To pull in an outside <br /> population just to push away what is true to Ka'u is heartbreaking. <br /> -There needs to be an updated shore assessment and setback, with plans to put a"beach club <br /> cafe" 100ft to the beach... <br /> -poor current infrastructure need to be updated. Water waste is already destroying nearby <br /> fishing ponds and pools,water systems for fires are outdated and failing. <br /> All together, I do not feel that this development is truly for the community. And therefor it is <br /> not aligned with the values held here. <br /> Alice Birnbaum <br />