2008-01-11 TMAUNAKEA - Laserfiche WebLink

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Resort to be. And when there’s a complaint, they take care of it right away. And I have seen that first hand. I’ve seen guest waived, I’ve seen their parking spots full. And I really hope that you’ll allow this to happen cause the last issue is as the Mauna Kea Resort goes so does Kohala and so does Hamakua. And we really do have to compete with that upper niche because as you see we want to get towards those people that are more recession proof. And that is the most beautiful beach, the most beautiful hotel that supplied many, many people with middle class incomes; and we’d like to see that maintained. And we’d like to be able to compete with those great hotels down the coast like Four Seasons and the newer golf courses. So that’s all I respectfully offer you. WATANABE: Thank you. Do we have any questions for Greg? No? Thank you. GAUTHIER: Thank you. WATANABE: Name and address, please. GOROSPE: Elmer Gorospe. I reside at 2111 Kaumana Drive, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. And I’m going to be speaking in behalf of the ILWU. Good afternoon, Commissioners. The ILWU Local 142 supports the applications for SMA and Use permits by Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Corp. to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the Mauna Kea Beach golf course, clubhouse, and related improvements. The ILWU represents the workers of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel who have been laid off for more than a year since the October 2006 earthquake forced closure of the hotel. While these workers have had to find new jobs they would all like to return to employment with Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and have been anxiously awaiting for reconstruction. The application for SMA and Use Permit is one step toward hastening the reopening of the hotel. Since reconstruction will use existing footprints of the clubhouse, there should be no reason for any objection. Reopening of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will be a huge boost to the economy of the Big Island and will help to generate revenues of the County and State. The ILWU strongly urges the Planning Commission to approve the applications. Thank you for the opportunity to share our views with this matter. Thank you. WATANABE: Thank you. Fellow Commissioners, any questions? Thank you. All right, I do have a late signer, Gail. Would you raise your right hand, please. BYRNE: Yeah. WATANABE: Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth now before the Planning Commission? BYRNE: I do. WATANABE: Could you state your name and address for the record. BYRNE: Yeah, my name’s Gail Byrne, 68-3551 Awamoa Place, Waikoloa 96738. I’m actually here to testify on another item, Kohala LLC that follows. But since I was here I EXHIBIT B 10