Local residents believe that delisting of the Pua’a II complex will set a dangerous precedent in Hawai’i by giving private landowners a green light to destroy Hawai’i register historic places without following state and federal historic preservation laws.

Local residents are alleging that the Pua’a II complex was severely damaged as a result of illegal earth-moving permits and activities.  For instance, the terms of permits signed by theHawai’i state historic preservation division (SHPD) differ from those signed byHawaii county agencies.  Yet SHPD and the county have refused to provide complete information to the public and are now moving forward with the process to remove this important site from theHawai’i register of historic places.

In addition, state and federal historic preservation law requires an Environmental Impact Statement if a historic register site is to be affected.  Does delisting the Pua’a II complex from the state register of historic places also remove the current trigger and requirement for an EIS?

The Pua’s II complex is a part of the massive Kona field system.  Prior to being damaged, this complex still functioned as a flood control system.  Since being damaged, local residents living below the complex have begun to experience unprecedented flooding and live in fear of their lives and property.   They fear what will happen if the last remaining features of this complex are not protected and the damage to the complex repaired.