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Energy project not right for Keaukaha

The Alahao renewable energy project, proposed for a 12-acre site in Pana‘ewa, must be located in an isolated area far from residential communities and busy commercial centers.

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Based on the project’s proximity to our Pana‘ewa community and our due diligence in securing information regarding the project’s emissions and hazards, we will ensure that it will not be constructed in Pana‘ewa.

The project would not only pose environmental risks to our community and ‘ohana, the potential of an uncontrolled lithium-ion fire is very real. The contiguous Pana‘ewa forest exacerbates this fire risk. Moreover, the Trump administration will terminate the enforcement and compliance workforce with federal oversight over biodiesel production facilities and dismantle federal laws that protect our community from the hazards posed.

For 50 years, Hawaii Island’s ‘opala was dumped in a landfill adjacent to our homes, until the landfill reached maximum capacity, closed and is now monitored for groundwater, methane gas and waste containment.

Commercial and military jets at the Hilo International Airport reverberate noise and distribute pollution over our homes.

The deteriorating Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant spews wastewater into our ocean and envelops the community with nauseous fumes. The Hawaiian Electric power pant, solid waste transfer station, drag strip and a myriad of industrial facilities are located within or adjacent to our homes.

Every year, we battle against the unrelenting push to use Railroad Avenue for a Puna makai highway diverting traffic and speeding cars through the heart of our community.

To date, in person and written testimony to remove the access road from the General Plan 2045 has been ignored by the county Planning Department.

The Keaukaha and Pana‘ewa Native Hawaiian communities have carried the burden and associated impacts from projects and industrial hazards for Hawaii Island. It is time to find other project locations and transportation routes.

Maile Lu‘uwai

President, Keaukaha Pana‘ewa Farmers Association

Vice-chair, Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations

Concerns about General Plan 2045

Since November, nearly 100% of locals, and myself, have testified at the Planning Commission stating we do not want the General Plan 2045 to be recommended.

The Planning Department has already sent letters to many locals telling them their land use will change from recreation to residential, which means their property value will drop.

This plan wants 100% electric vehicles by 2030, which means no diesel, gas or propane. These cars are not only a fire danger, taking over two hours to put out, but cannot be put in a landfill since they emit toxic fumes if the engine cracks. Where will they go?

Our grid cannot sustain the power we currently need, and now it will be expected to power EVs for every person on the island!

The plan’s map shows that most of the Big Island’s land will turn into conservation, meaning only a park can be on it. There are other areas of the map that show nature areas will be preserved for nature — no people, farming or building allowed.

What about Hawaiian home lands? If the land is turned into conservation or for nature, what will be given back to the Hawaiian people?

There was also a mistake on the map where an urban land use area was “accidentally” changed to conservation. What other mistakes are there?

The Planning Commissioners have completely ignored people’s request to not recommend this plan to the County Council.

Does the Planning Department and commissioners work for the electric and renewable energy companies, since they are the ones who will gain from this plan, because they are not representing the people of this island!?

The plan is now on its way to the County Council. To learn how to testify, visit StandTogetherHawaii.com

Michelle Melendez

Kailua-Kona