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Hawaii County Council -2 December 18, 2002 <br /> What I've seen throughout the last several years, which is being set forth by this <br /> Agreement, was an effort on the part of the two main entities—the Department <br /> and the County—in trying to further the intent of the Act—Prince Jonah Kuhio's <br /> vision—getting the Hawaiian people back on the land. Whether we're doing it <br /> legal or not, that's inconsequential at this point. To me, what you folks have done <br /> is more than anybody has really done in a long. long time. And for that reason <br /> alone, I have to cast my vote in favor of this. This has nothing to do with the <br /> money that we're going to receive or anything like that. Okay? That's <br /> inconsequential. It's just that the effort you folks have put into trying to further <br /> the intent of the Act, to me, deserves some kind of credit. And so, in that sense, <br /> I'm going to give you guys my vote today. Even if I voted against it on—on <br /> other—on other levels in the past, I'm going to give you guys that. <br /> And before I close, Ray, I know you're the outgoing Director or Chairman of the <br /> Department of Hawaiian Home Lands—I wanted to thank you for all of your help <br /> over the past six years, I think, that I've been on the Council. If your successor is <br /> half as accessible as you, then he will be doing the Hawaiian people and the State <br /> of Hawaii a great service. Thank you. <br /> MR. SOON: Thank you very' much. <br /> ACTING CHR. TYLER: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Are there other questions or <br /> comments of Mr. Soon? Mr. Arakaki, would you take the Chair? <br /> MR. ARAKAKI: Yes. <br /> RELINQUISH At this time, Acting Chairman Tyler relinquished the Chair to Chairman Arakaki. <br /> CHAIR: <br /> MR. TYLER: Mr. Soon, I also want to echo Mr. Chung's comments. I think <br /> your service to the community and to the whole—and to the Native Hawaiians <br /> and Hawaiian community at-large has been excellent— <br /> MR. SOON: Thank you. <br /> MR. TYLER: And I commend you and thank you very much as a Native <br /> Hawaiian. I thank you for the work you've done. And I appreciate the work that <br /> you and your staff have done with the Mayor and his staff and also with <br /> Mr. Arakaki in meetings you've had to come—come to this kind of agreement. I <br /> think it's—I think it's very, very important. <br /> Page 46 <br />