State agency questions
North Shore developer’s
environmental report

A beachside project's
special permit requires
broader data, it says

---

By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

The developer of a proposed North Shore subdivision fronting the Velzyland surf spot has failed to address possible adverse effects on a nearby marsh or how sewage from the development might affect the ocean, according to a state agency.

The state Office of Environmental Quality Control called Kaunala Beach Estates LLC's draft environmental impact statement incomplete when it comes to addressing questions of waste-water output and its proposed use of an existing private sewage treatment plant.

"They need to address these issues so that the public understands," said Genevieve Salmonsen, the agency's director. She explained the EIS should disclose information.

Developer D.G. "Andy" Anderson plans to subdivide 19.1 acres on the Kahuku side of Sunset Point into 29 home lots. Residents, surfers and other beach-goers have criticized the development for displacing 160 residents and using an area that the city had been eyeing as a future park.

Kaunala Beach Estates has applied for a special management area use permit from the city Department of Planning and Permitting to re-subdivide the parcel, construct roadway improve- ments and designate a public shoreline access easement.

The development's sewage will be treated at the existing private sewage treatment plant, which now serves residents of three existing apartment buildings, said Kaunala's planner, Earl Matsukawa of Wilson Okamoto and Associates.

Rather than being discharged directly into the ocean, the effluent will be injected into underground wells below a certain level to avoid contamination of drinking water in compliance with Department of Health policy, Matsukawa said.

Matsukawa had included in the draft EIS his letter to the agency that said there would be no basis for interpreting water quality data to identify possible impacts because the effects of nonpoint sources of pollution such as injection wells are poorly understood.

But Norris Uehara, a geologist with the Department of Health's Safe Drinking Water Branch, said, "There is a possibility of contaminating the ocean because the water eventually migrates to the ocean." Matsukawa said Kaunala Beach Estates is seeking an underground injection control (UIC) permit to allow for use of the sewage treatment plant.

Environmental Quality Control also pointed out in its May 8 bulletin that the draft impact statement failed to mention the Kalou Marsh wetland, which lies north of the property. It asked what impact the development might have on the marsh's rare and unique resources.

Matsukawa said: "Kalou Marsh is a quarter-mile away. How far do you go?"

Salmonsen maintains that because Kaunala Beach Estates has applied for the special management area use permit, it must provide more details on the possible effects of the development.

Matsukawa disagrees.

A public hearing on the project will be held 10:30 a.m. June 21 at Sunset Beach Elementary School cafeteria. Deadline for public comment is June 22. Call 527-6274 for information.