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talked about that, and she said that she wants to be in compliance, that's how she operates. So
<br /> we started this process to go in that direction. She has operated the event venue for about three
<br /> years—we talked about that—no complaints, no issues all the way around to our knowledge. So
<br /> it looked like it was relatively straightforward for the most part, basically continuation of what
<br /> was already occurring there, but making sure it was legitimized. Before, you know, usually
<br /> when people come in to legitimize something, it's because there was a complaint made. In this
<br /> case, you know, we've reached out to the neighbors multiple times, etcetera.
<br /> I'm just going to take a step back real quick. Obviously, the CC&Rs is a concern for the
<br /> commissioners; Alan Tuhy can speak to that. What I want to take a step back is about
<br /> agriculture and fairness. We have a farmer here that actually operates a farm. Often times we do
<br /> see applications come in that have no farming activities on there. In this case, we actually do
<br /> have a farmer. Ms. Hickey has been a, you know, been a part of the Farm Bureau for over six
<br /> years. She chaired the Farm Bureau, as well as other charities in the area. I wonder how many
<br /> other of the surrounding areas actually do farming. That's one of the issues we have here in
<br /> Hawaii County.
<br /> Before that, I'm a guy about fairness, you guys know, born and raised, most of you all know,
<br /> born and raised here on the Big Island, former chair of the Windward Planning Commission,
<br /> former elected official, county councilperson. Not going to come in and we're not always going
<br /> to agree on the same thing, but I do think fairness is something that is a very good place to start
<br /> with. And feeling like it's stacked, stacked and stacked kind of in the opposite manner for
<br /> fairness honestly right now. From the recommendation as one measure to even the fact that there
<br /> were 32 letters of support sent in to the commissioners; I don't think many of those were
<br /> mentioned. There was the change of venue that was put in there; that was mentioned but we
<br /> haven't had a chance to get into it. But, before that, there was a time when—so when the
<br /> Planning Commission gets a recommendation and it's a favorable recommendation, the Planning
<br /> Department says we give a favorable recommendation for these reasons and here's our proposed
<br /> conditions, right? We've all seen that many of times. Now, recently, when there is a negative
<br /> recommendation, it comes as this proposed conclusions of law and findings of fact, instead of we
<br /> propose a negative recommendation for these reasons and let's talk about it. And if that's so
<br /> what's decide, then that comes out to be a conclusions of law and findings of fact. It's different
<br /> than how it used to be. I, what I want to say right off the bat, that isn't fair, to me; I'd want an
<br /> even case, whether it be for or against it, in the same way. So if the Planning Department
<br /> supports an application, should it not come out as proposed findings of fact and conclusions of
<br /> law in favor of it? I wonder. So it's very one way; if we support it, we kind of do, here is
<br /> conditions, if it's all right; if we don't, this is it, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
<br /> I wonder there, conclusions of law. So, are these conclusions of law? The findings of fact are
<br /> relatively accurate - - -relatively accurate. I mean if you go down these and say that, you know,
<br /> number 3, for example, on page 9, we did talk about agriculture tourism in there as a component
<br /> that we would be submitting for, but we are submitting as a Special Permit on its own; therefore,
<br /> the agriculture tourism component has no bearing on that, none. It says in ag tourism, it doesn't,
<br /> you can't do other things; if you want to do other things, go, go for Special Permits. So that's
<br /> what we are doing. So, "The proposed use is contrary to the objections [objectives] sought [to be
<br /> accomplished] by the Land Use [Law and] Regulations?" I, it's not a conclusion of law because
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<br /> EXHIBIT A
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