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Everything is not indigenous. This was originally lava. So everything had to come from <br />somewhere. So back in the thirties, some people, humans, decided to dedicate Banyan Drive to <br />the banyan trees and make all these banyans, beautiful banyan trees. In fact, that special area <br />that Director Todd was talking about, that special neighborhood in Hilo that should look like <br />that. And I think Banyan Drive has that same heritage to it. And I think, I believe in <br />development, but I believe in development with some thought and some preservation to what is <br />heritage to the people who live here. And I don’t see any reason why a design can’t be made <br />with a first priority to save what’s there. So why should we be waiting for them to plant <br />indigenous trees when they’re cutting down what’s already there. I need to sit in the shade. I <br />don’t know about the rest of you, but if you go down there the cars are parked in the shade, the <br />people are sitting in the shade. So if you cut down all those trees it’s like, okay, we’re going to <br />put cement and we’re going to put pavement, it’s going to be wonderful like Waikiki. I don’t <br />think we want it like Waikiki. <br />So if, if we could design architecturally something that preserves what is important and special <br />and improved so that everybody, you know, can benefit from the area, that’s my main concern. <br />And my main upset with the whole thing is that beautiful tree you’re going to cut it down. I <br />can’t understand that. That big huge banyan over here that’s over that purple building they <br />trimmed really nicely and that looks really good. They should be trimmed regularly and cared <br />for, just like other trees. <br />And Lorna Larson here who owns Kilauea Lodge told me that she had previously come down <br />and offered to, as a suggestion that maybe some businesses in the community would, you know, <br />adopt some of those trees and pay to have them trimmed properly along Banyan Drive; and they <br />said no to her. So it’s not like people don’t care about it. I just would hope that improvement <br />would not be so destructive as to what’s really already there and beautiful, and providing a lot of <br />shade and comfort to a lot of people who do, you know, use the facility at this time. And I <br />appreciate your listening. And I’m speaking for the tree, give the tree, give the tree a chance, <br />you know. It’s nice beautiful trees, and they were dedicated and they deserve to be saved. <br />Thank you. <br />WOODWARD: All right. Well, thank you for your testimony. Do we have any questions for <br />Ms. Powell? <br />DOMINGO: I have a question. <br />WOODWARD: Commissioner Domingo. <br />DOMINGO: Ms. Powell, I just wanted to ask if you were a part in the discussions when they <br />were planning the improvement of that particular area? <br />POWELL: Mr. Domingo, to be really honest I don’t go to those things.My boyfriend is the one <br />that comes to the Council meetings; and he comes and he tells me this stuff; and I get upset. So <br />for me to actually come is a big thing for me, cause I’m really scared about doing this and <br />coming out. But I think it’s that , it’s that important to me that I would. So I did not physically <br />attend the meetings, but I get my information from him. When he comes back and says, well, <br /> 11 <br /> EXHIBIT C <br /> <br />