2021-07-01 Windward Exh B (Public Testimony re SPP 20-220)

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WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII TESTIMONY TRANSCRIPT JULY 1, 2021 Public testimony regarding the application of KIRPAL MEDITATION AND ECOLOGICAL CENTER, LLC (SPP 20-000220)was called to order at 9:22 a.m. via live stream online meeting, with Chairman John Replogle presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dean Au, Joseph Clarkson, Dennis Lin, Thomas Raffipiy, John Replogle ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Gilbert Aguinaldo, Michelle Galimba ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Malia Hall, Esq. (Counsel for the Commission), Jean Campbell, Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Department), Zendo Kern (Planning Director), Eric Cook(Planner), Maija Jackson (Planning Program Manager), and Melissa Dacayanan- Salvador (Windward Planning Commission Secretary) APPLICANT: KIRPAL MEDITATION AND ECOLOGICAL CENTER, LLC (SPP 20-000220) Application for a Special Permit to legitimize the operation of a meditation and ecological center and retreat on 10 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The subject property is located at 13-260 Pohoiki Road, approximately 0.5 miles west, or mauka, of the intersection with Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road, Pohoiki, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: (3) 1-3- 008:005. Secretary's Note: "—" indicates indiscernible speech due to internet/technical difficulties or simultaneous talk. REPLOGLE: Okay, next up we will have the Kirpal Meditation, SPP 20-220 testifiers and first is Keri Dickie-Clark, you may begin when you are ready Ms. Clark. DICKIE-CLARK: Thank you, good morning Chair John and fellow Committee members and the rest of you folks. My name is Keri Dickie-Clark, and my statement relates to item number 2 on the agenda. I live on my property on Pohoiki Road and Leonard Sussman who resides in Oregon and whose business is Kirpal Meditation and Ecological Center is my immediate downhill neighbor. I'm a farmer and I've farmed on land in both water fresh and salt in the United Kingdom, Tanzania, Canada, and Hawaii. I'm an organic permaculture farmer engaged in regenerative agriculture as part of the growing number of farmers dedicated to ensuring food safety and food security for the islands of Hawaii. Over my 23 plus years of living here, I've been involved in numerous activities to incubate and nurture a thriving agricultural base here in Puna and island wide. I'm passionate about sustainability and living in true with nature. 1 EXHIBIT B