Quiet. That's what this state needs. A quiet period from major development. Everywhere on the island of Hawai'i we need infrastructure. If our government keeps approving new subdivisions and major development we can never catch up with the basic needs of a community. In Ka'u alone, we have more than 17,000 empty lots for current development without basic infrastructure to support this increase in population. How many empty housing lots are on our island just waiting to be developed? Why does government keep approving more housing developments?

In the ghost of a moment, Hawai'i Island will be transformed into a caricature of itself. If the current island population does not act to create a quiet time from further subdivision and major new development — and a new positive vision for the future — our Hawai'i will lose its aloha, its 'aina, its natural way, its peace.

New and different voices in the body politic need to be heard. The old way of doing political business on this island needs radical change. No longer can we allow any new large subdivisions until the full array of infrastructure is in place throughout the island.

For more than 50 years, large subdivisions have been approved on our island with little consideration of infrastructure and their effect on the island as a whole. That includes the effect on infrastructure: hospitals, healthcare, schools, sewers, waste disposal, water, power, public transportation, police, fire protection, and yes, roads. Remember, we are an island. What happens in Puna affects us in Kona. What happens in Kohala affects us in Ka'u. What happens in Hilo affects us all.

Our largest subdivisions in Ka'u are less than 25 percent full, but our government and its bureaucracies keep approving more development and subdivisions. It is unimportant that the government now requires some infrastructure in a single subdivision. We need the whole island to have reasonable infrastructure. We need new leaders with a broader understanding of cause-and-effect of major development on the species of this island, including its people. Under current conditions of development, subdivision and use, we are over capacity. Just think about this: Without the addition of one more subdivision, this island will be about four times larger when the existing subdivisions are built out.

In the district of Ka'u, good people are acting to preserve the last 80 miles of coastal areas in the state that are currently undeveloped. The probability of protecting the entire Ka'u coast and the last of Hawai'i's complete ahupua'a, for the benefit of all, is a daunting task.

Nonetheless, Ka'u Preservation, a community-based non-profit organization supported only by its members, and other good people stand before the onslaught to save the endangered turtles, Hawai'i's monk seals, whales, birds, plants, rocks and sand, and lastly the culture, history and magic of Hawai'i.

Now, the heart of Ka'u, the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach area, is again under attack. The proposed development is by Sea Mountain Five LLC. George Atta of Group 70 International is the lead promoter. Sea Mountain Five does not own the property; it only has an option to buy.

Nonetheless, the county is spending countless hours and taxpayer dollars reviewing the proposal and the environmental impact statement. The 430 or so acres of Punalu'u are currently owned by SM Investment Partners. The development: houses and condos, (over 1,500), a 300-room hotel, commercial businesses — all on about 430 acres of the only easily accessible beach in the district of Ka'u.

Punalu'u has more endangered species and Hawaiian cultural sites than any other populated area in the state. Not only is it a bad business model (two hours from the airports, cold water in the small black sand beach area used by the turtles, no sunset, menial jobs), it will double the current population of Ka'u, which has little infrastructure.

Ka'u Preservation has a better plan, and a long-term vision. Punalu'u will become the center of a living classroom, along the coast of Ka'u. Coordinated with the University of Hawai'i-Hilo and local schools, the living classroom and traditional Hawaiian practices will be a treasure trove for marine and other biologists, Hawaiian practitioners, culturists, historians, archaeologists, among others.

Saving Punalu'u and the Ka'u coast from development and subdivision will create a "classroom" like no other in the world. Funding and jobs will come from the public operation of the classroom and associated activities.

The whole 430 acres needs to be purchased for the people. Let Punalu'u be the first area of purchase with our new 2 percent conservation fund.

Let your government representatives know we need a quiet period from large development. Tell our politicians to save Punalu'u and the Hawaiian way of life in Ka'u. Let's slow down, plan the infrastructure and enjoy a quiet period.

Ron Self is senior attorney for Ka'u Preservation. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.