Letters for July 29, 2016

• Dairy a danger to entire island

Dairy a danger to entire island

I am not opposed to a dairy on Kauai. I am only opposed to the currently selected site located in Mahaleupu.

The Friends of Mahaleupu have done a masterful job of researching the “pros and cons” of establishing a factory-type dairy on the oceanfront land adjacent to existing residential and commercial areas. Their research indicates a gross economic and health hazard resulting from such pollution produced.

The South Shore has become a visitor industry favorite area due to reasonably stable climate and attractive beaches, further enhanced by well-known commercial enterprises.

At the recent meeting held on the South Shore, Dr. John Kilpatrick, a well-known CEO and real estate appraiser, pointed out that the whole island would be affected by a dairy at Mahaleupu. Residential and commercial property of the South Shore will be devalued in total at more than one billion dollars — a devaluation of 30 percent. Our county operations are funded by property taxes … and property taxes islandwide will need to be raised to account for the devaluation.

In driving around our island, please note that there is still much fallow land. Surely, this project can be located elsewhere, where the pollution will not contaminate our ocean.

Please review all the data available and support the Friends of Mahaleupu, a 501-3C designation, as they prepare to take their case to court in the near future. If you can help them financially, no matter the size of your donation, please send checks to: Friends of Mahaleupu, P.S. Box 1645, Koloa, HI., 96756, or online, friendsofmahaulepu.org.

Betty Bell, Koloa