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b. Committee Member Molina shared that she is a life-long resident of Hawai'i and is <br />working as a business agent for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. She <br />is interested in the AC to ensure that Hawai'i remains a place where her children may <br />return and be a part of the community, and to be more involved with the planning <br />aspects of the County. <br />3. Planning Director Zendo Kern shared his background as a life-long resident with extensive <br />experience in real estate, planning consultancy and public service. Director Kern acknowledged <br />and expressed appreciation for the commitment and effort that volunteer members of the <br />community provide to forums such as the AC. In addition, he addressed the recent article <br />regarding the future of CDP ACs in the county and confirmed that the Planning Department <br />continues to support the work of the ACs and the need to focus on community-based actions to <br />further CDP objectives and goals. Director Kern then opened the floor for questions. <br />a. Chair Young commented about Planning Department staffing reductions and asked that <br />it be addressed to meet AC goals regarding the Kona Open Space Network (KOSN) and <br />the traffic issues that the Ali'i Parkway initiative is intended to remedy. <br />b. Committee Member Palma-Glennie raised a concern about the continued need to <br />define open space and greenbelt concepts and emphasized the history of the CDP as a <br />response to a top-down approach to planning. Ms. Palma-Glennie further noted that <br />how the AC conducts its business should be a grassroots activity and suggested that the <br />Planning Department should come to the ACs for their input regarding significant <br />changes in the work of the AC. She also noted that it has been difficult to get traction on <br />desired actions within the department and the county government. <br />i. Director Kern commented that the work of the ACs remains a priority and <br />expressed regret that the article indicated a possible reduction in support for <br />the ACs, which is not the department's intention. The department continues to <br />support the ACs but will need to find a way to do more with the staffing and <br />budget constraints as they are. In addition, he welcomed AC members to <br />continue to share their ideas and concerns with the planning staff and he shared <br />his interest in furthering his involvement with these forums. <br />c. Committee Member Palma-Glennie questioned the status of the KOSN and Director <br />Kern responded that he is in the process of delving into the these types of open issues, <br />so it is premature to speak to the direction that will be taken. However, he expressed <br />his understanding as to the importance of the KOSN to the community. Mr. Plunkett <br />further noted that staffing changes between the two mayoral administrations has <br />occurred and that the KOSN issue has now been moved back to the Long -Range <br />Division's responsibilities from the Mayor's office, but dedicated staff to the effort is <br />pending. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: One (1) member of the public signed up to provided verbal <br />testimony. As noted during the Additions to the Agenda section, this verbal testimony will be provided <br />during the relevant Business item below. In addition, the following two written testimonies were <br />httys.llwww.ylanninQ.hawaiicounty.Qov/ kona(aïż½hawahcountuQov Page 2 <br />