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ALL: [Nods or mouths "aye" in agreement]
<br /> CARR SMITH: Okay, thank you very much. We'll start with you, Wendy, and if you could
<br /> please tell us who you are, who you're representing, and your position and keep it to three
<br /> minutes please. Go ahead.
<br /> LAROS: Okay. Aloha everyone, my name is Wendy Laros. I'm the president and CEO of the
<br /> Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. The Kona-Kohala Chamber has been in existence since
<br /> 1968, so over 50 years, and for decades we've been supporting all kinds of educational
<br /> initiatives, including the design, or development of the Palamanui campus. And I actually have
<br /> sent in testimony and definitely want to highlight that, you know, since the campus has been
<br /> open since 20 - - - , that so much happened for our community for our high school students that
<br /> are entering into college, you know, there's just been quite a bit of success at the campus for the
<br /> last five years, and this really is a reality because of Palamanui Global Holdings and their
<br /> contributions. We - - -to have a, a letter here that's not the one I sent in, that was actually, it was
<br /> drafted by Vivian Landrum, one of our presidents and CEOs from the past, and this was in 2009,
<br /> and it was a letter to this, this group as well, to this commission. And, and with that letter we
<br /> have over a decade, the University of Hawaii perceived the need for higher education in West
<br /> Hawaii when its board, board of regents reviewed detailed plans and selected a 500-acre state-
<br /> owned parcel in Kona for a permanent facility. So, we're just talking a lot of decades here, and
<br /> certainly, the Palamanui campus has been built but the campus needs the surrounding
<br /> development, and at the Chamber of Commerce, we have positions, and one of those positions is
<br /> to support housing projects at all inventory levels, and the associated infrastructure. And as well,
<br /> we also have position statements to support the growth of Hawaii Community College
<br /> Palamanui campus, programs, and staffing. In addition, we have support expansion and
<br /> establishment of programs that feed directly into the regions key industries, including the visitor
<br /> industry, agriculture, aquaculture, astronomy, aviation, business and education, healthcare,
<br /> marine and STEAM. STEAM would be science, technology, engineering, art, and math
<br /> endeavors. So, we are a strong proponent of the campus. We understand its crucial role in
<br /> workforce development for our community in West Hawaii, and we do know that that campus
<br /> needs the development that surrounds it to continue to thrive. So, with that, I'll go ahead and
<br /> stop. Thank you so much.
<br /> CARR SMITH: Thank you. Let's move over to Jacqui Hoover. Go ahead Jacqui.
<br /> HOOVER: Aloha, I'm Jacqui Hoover and I have spoken before this commission previously in
<br /> my capacity as president of Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, a member-based
<br /> organization with a history of 46 years of commitment, the sound planning, wise use of
<br /> resources, and effective government process. Today however, I also have the privilege and
<br /> pleasure of serving in my capacity as the executive director for the Hawaii Island Economic
<br /> Development Board, another member-based organization with a 36-year history committed to
<br /> providing and promoting private sector support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawaii
<br /> County, in partnership with both public and private resources. After years of a vigorous
<br /> economy, 2020 has delivered us a very grim reminder of the fragility of our island's economic
<br /> stability. Today we find ourselves trying to navigate our way through converging economic
<br /> challenges and as we strategize the best needs of recovery, it is important that we look for
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