2021-10-14 Redistricting Commission minutes (5th Session)

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MELLON-LACEY: Yes, I would agree with that. The Commissioners are appointed to represent their constituents. And in so far as they need to reach out for assistance from others to better reach their constituents, I don't see a problem with it. HUSTACE: Thank you, Ms. Mellon-Lacey. So, on that fact, I would encourage Commissioners to do that due diligence and reach out to community members to engage them in whatever capacity you have, in the time that we have as well. But I really appreciate the support from groups like Common Cause, and Mr. Aki and the crew there for encouraging us to do so and being an opportunity for us to connect and communicate further. BATH: Bath. HUSTACE: Yes, Ms. Bath. BATH: My main concern, what I was reflecting on, if this was something I felt comfortable with doing was, first and foremost checking with the individuals before I start giving out their names to people and making sure it's okay with them first. And then following through, if it was okay with the Commission. But that was the only concern I really had. HUSTACE: Absolutely. Thank you, Ms. Bath. Yes, you just don't want to disseminate peoples information but make sure that they are willing to support you in your efforts to reach a larger population and connect in a greater capacity. So, thank you, Ms. Bath. Any other thoughts on item business I here? (No response.) Okay, seeing none. I'd like to move on to number 2 under new business. Mr. Kauka, if you could read this for the record, please? KAUKA: Thank you. New business item: 2. Discussion on placing Kalapana and areas of Lower Puna into Council District 4. Requested by Commissioner Bath. HUSTACE: Thank you, Mr. Kauka. Ms. Bath, I'll pass it right to you if you would like to start us off on this discussion. BATH: So, we've all been getting our feet wet in trying to figure out the software, and how to use it, and the first thing that I did was I looked at Puna. What really struck out to me, which I never really realized until now, was that on the map, Kalapana and lower Puna is part of my District, District 5. And I always thought that they were District 4 because that population of people polarize towards lower Puna in order to go from home to anywhere, they need to go through District 4, unless they take Chain of Craters Road. During the two eruption events that I was active with, I was down there a lot and I got more of a feel. And so when I saw this section of lower Puna that was in the upper Puna, the District 5 area, it was like, was this a mistake? So, I have been working. That's one of 17