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Whether or not Jon Olson submits a letter pointing out that the State, County, and other entities continue to deprive Puna <br /> and Ka'u residents of their Civil Rights, Connectivity Action Team members as for assistance from Civil Defense, Public <br /> Works, police and fire departments, and other relevant agencies, in .removing <br /> the illegally constructed barriers to block the existing road connecting the sub-divisions at Kaleponi and Punahele (Road <br /> 17). <br /> These barriers clearly violate general access rights, as well as the rights of people with disabilities. At the May 6 meeting <br /> of the Fern Forest"roads" board, residents again asked the board to remove the rusty debris and overturned van the <br /> board moved to block the road after it was cleared by more than 100 hours of volunteer work. Efforts of the Connectivity <br /> Action Team to talk about the Civil Rights complaint, Frank De Marco's (Public Works) Puna Connectivity Plan, <br /> foundational documents citing the existence of a road connecting Fern Forest and Eden Roc, etc, were stifled. No <br /> documentation was provided supporting Bill Watkins' continued claim that"corp counsel"told him the FFCA has the <br /> authority to close an existing road. <br /> Bill Watkins' reaction to efforts to involve the FFCA Board in connectivity discussions have consisted primarily of repeated <br /> demands that the"County" agree to open and maintain not only the connectivity location, but all or part of Kaleponi. The <br /> Board will not discuss any alternatives to the same kind of support provided to Hawaiian Acres/Ainaloa in response to the <br /> lava flow, in spite of the obvious differences. <br /> Connectivity Action Team members have removed enough junk by hand to provide a visual representation of the open <br /> road and the prospective "linear park." We are attempting to identify collaborators in our efforts to implement connectivity <br /> components of the PCDP. <br /> Seeking Funds To Create an Inter-subdivision Gathering Place <br /> Community and Fire Truck Building(s) <br /> * Emergency shelter <br /> * Computers for adult business enterprises, youth homework, recreation <br /> * Space for cross-generational activities, including special programs for children and seniors <br /> * Inter-subdivision meetings to create an Upper Puna Emergency Response Plan, a Safety and <br /> Surveillance System (connecting with the systems of local residents) <br /> (See documents developed or distributed by Judi Houle, HPP Neighborhood Watch, Puna Watch) <br /> Mass Transit Spoke/Bus Stop <br /> Rural Resource Center <br /> *Community Garden <br /> * Local Market, Swap Meet <br /> Internet, Ham/CB radio operators tower <br /> The Connectivity Action Team continues to identify relevant stakeholders (Citizens' Corps, CERT, CD, Volunteer Fire <br /> Department, NW, Upper Puna subdivision RESIDENTS and community organizations, PCDP AC, Public Works, Army <br /> Corps of Engineers, DLNR, etc)to contact about uniting around creating a model linear park at this site. <br /> Thank you for your attention to these specific details reflecting how disregard to basic civil rights at the State <br /> and County levels is used at the local "grassroots" level to disregard not only the PCDP, but past and <br /> current requests to stop blocking reasonable access. <br /> Hannah Hedrick <br /> Fern Forest <br /> Connectivity Action Team Coordinator <br /> 808 968-7013 <br /> 2 <br />