Comm. 014 - 2021-09-29 (testimony) Ford, Brenda: for Sept. 30, 2021, explanation of census blocks in districts

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COMMUNICATION 014 Brenda Ford Redistricting Map #20 Testimony for 9-30-21 Explanation of Census Blocks in Districts A. In all cases, I followed the HCC Chap 36 & the Hawaii County Charter, section 3-17. B. I tried to keep the number of residents as closely equal as practicable per HCC Chap 36- 4.(1). My total deviation is 3.49. C. Currently, the commission does not know if the nonresident military personnel and their dependents, nonresident students, and foreign nationals are included in the population numbers or in what districts these persons were placed or removed. I must assume that these were extracted as they were in the last redistricting. However, that needs to be verified. Additionally, the prisoner population information is a mess, and it is unknown if this will be rectified or even if it can be rectified or if the State Reapportionment Commission is willing. HCC Chap 36-4.(2). D. There are trails and roads which cannot be seen without enlarging the maps immensely. Where at all possible, I kept census blocks ("CB") in the districts where the roads or trails "originate" or "terminate" or where there is no other way to access the trail without it being in the district in which I placed it. This is especially true in D2. This follows the rule HCC Chap 36-4.(11). E. I have NOT considered where any incumbent council member lives per HCC Chap 36-4 (6) & (7) & the County Charter 3-17 (f)(1). F. I have kept communities of interest together as practicable per HCC Chap 36-40). G. I have kept council districts as compact as possible per HCC Chap 36-4.(9). While some districts have "expanded" in geographic size, it was due to trying to keep parks, roads, and trails together or for purposes of equalizing residents. Many of the CBs interior to the island have no residents so I relied on roads and trails for my decisions per HCC Chap 36-4.(11). H. I believe that it is important for this commission to identify every CB that needs to be split (coastlines, large populations, CBs encircled within other CBs, large CBs etc.), and submit those findings to the Elections Board with appropriate maps, CB lDs, and an explanation of how these CBs should be corrected by the U.S. Census Bureau. These corrective action requests should be part of this Commission's Final Report AND a copy of the letter sent to State Census Board be attached to your Final Report. Request that the State "Census Board" provide the County Elections Supervisor, the County Clerk, the State Office of Elections, and this Commission with written documentation on what the Board did or did not do AND why. These unreasonable CBs have caused problems for 20 years and need correction. Do the work on splitting or correcting CBs before you submit your final plan. You authority ends once your final plan is submitted. District 1 1. Border between D1 & D2 in Hilo follows the Wailuku River in the interior but dips into Hilo along Waianuenue Ave. Census blocks in this area of Hilo are used to equalize the