Exhibit 9 - New District Boundaries and Communities of Interest (individual commissioner statements)

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BRONSTEN-GLENN KOSSOW Chairperson JAMES HUSTACE Vice Chairperson 2021 HAWAI`I COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION Stephen Kawena Lopez, Commissioner, District 8 2021 Redistricting Commission MEIZHU LUI DWAYNE YOSHINA LEHUANANI AH NEE JENNIFER YADAO STEPHANIE BATH AINA AKAMU STEPHEN LOPEZ The tinkering of the national census in the Fall of 2020 created greatly contributed to a late start. Not getting census data to begin our process until September 2021 we were way behind from the start. Thinking this was a mathematical solution and that we could still accomplish our goal for end of year — WRONG! The many constraints made aware to me in census blocks, natural dividers, neighborhoods of common interest, contiguous borders and many more impediments further compounded by specific area public concern brought a new realization. The legal and emotional constraints presented seemed, at times, insurmountable and I learned a great deal of many island places that were equally important as any other location. For me, this new awareness will serve me well in further appreciation of an island community. At 24,234 residents, District 8 was 9.01% or 2,002 residents above the target 22,232 population for the 2011 Redistricting process. Only District 5 had a greater growth in population and several Districts had negative. Those districts adjoining District 8 are District 7 at -8.5% and District 9 at .33% growth. This meant that as the island districts struggled to gain some semblance of equity District 7 had to push into current District 8 areas and District 1 (adjoining District 9) had to push into District 9 to yield population for the East Hawaii districts that were negative growth, i.e. a domino effect. As population density changes, growth brings change not always pleasing to everyone and compromise becomes paramount as I and my fellow commissioners worked very hard to accomplish. Of equal effort were those unsung hero's from Clerks office, Legislative Research Branch, Elections, Corp Counsel who contributed equally to address and solve our obstacles and arrive at a solution. One that, while not perfect, turned out to be the most equitable mathematically and addressed many emotional testimony. Mahalo nui for all those who testified on any position. It is this participation that greatly helped me and, I believe, this commission to serve the best interests of Hawaii Island. Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer