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 MEIZHU LUI DWAYNE YOSHINA LEHUANANI AH NEE JENNIFER YADAO STEPHANIE BATH AINA AKAMU STEPHEN LOPEZ James Hustace, County of Hawai'i 2021 Redistricting Commission Vice -Chair and District 9 Commissioner District 9 Boundary Changes: The 2021 Redistricting Commission received early testimony requesting contiguity for the Waikoloa Beach Resort communities. Early steps were taken to make this change happen and incorporate this community together. Unfortunately, this community was split away from its neighboring parts in the last redistricting effort. This also created a clear boundary line between District 9 and District 8 to the south. The populations and the road connectivity (or lack thereof) of the communities across the geographic regions of North and South Kohala, including, but not limited to Waikoloa Village, Puako, Kawaihae, Hawi, Kapa'au, and Waimea, prevent the possibility of keeping the residents of Waimea in one singular district. Given the population breakdown under the 2021 Redistricting guidelines, the total residents of these North and South Kohala communities would greatly exceed the parameters and deviation restrictions set forth by the County of Hawai'i Code. Knowing that Waimea needs to be split given its location and relationship to District 1 and the Hamakua communities, early draft maps proposed giving more of Waimea to District 1 for the purpose of addressing District 1's population deficit. This would have also provided residents in the eastern portion of Waimea, that had previously been in District 1, more Waimea residents of like mind and with similar needs. Testimony provided during the process requested that Waimea not be split, however, communities in the southern portion of the district cannot be easily split nor provide enough of a population count to offset the population density of east Waimea. It was therefore determined that only slight changes should be made along the District 9 and District 1 boundary. This would maintain as much consistency as possible for residents and communities. The total population of District 9 in its 2011 iteration met the criteria of the 2021 effort and would not be required to change greatly unless dictated by the shift of other districts around the County, and this would keep pace with maintaining a consistent and practiced boundary. The change at the District 9 and District 1 boundary was dependent on the census blocks along Mamalahoa Highway. Unfortunately, the census blocks in this area are irregular and tend to divide subdivisions at inconsistent points. For instance, the stream boundary used in the 2011 plan that had split the Pu'u Nani subdivisions was not an option in 2021. To assist District 1 with Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunitv Provider and Employer