Laserfiche WebLink
ATON: Aloha my name is Kanani Aton, and I am the Outreach Specialist for Kumu Hou. I was <br /> mentored into this role by the late Billy Kenoi before his unfortunate passing earlier this year. In <br /> our outreach work together, we engage community members who work and or volunteer in <br /> government, community service, sports, Hawaiian culture, environmental restoration resource <br /> protection and business to share details about Kumu Hou. I shared project specifics, including <br /> the community contributions with the purpose to listen to each community members questions, <br /> thoughts, and feedback. And then, made sure to convey their mana`o and concerns back to the <br /> Kumu Hou project team for the purpose of making sure they were heard. And included in <br /> discussions for how to address as much as possible for the community. Beyond the role I <br /> execute for this project, I support Kumu Hou because I have two (2) adult children who live and <br /> work on the West side supporting their newly independent young adult lives. <br /> We spend a lot of time talking about housing because they struggle to secure it over there. My <br /> oldest born lives with her partner and his extended ohana spending three generations under one <br /> roof. My next born has been unable to secure affordable housing because the current market is <br /> extremely limited and steadily moving out of his affordable price range. He sleeps in his truck <br /> during the workweek, even now during the rainy season. It's so important that in these ever- <br /> changing time developers like Waikoloa Land Company demonstrates sincere sensitivity for <br /> those who work in resort communities. Their promise in workforce housing and the Waikoloa <br /> Foundation go above and beyond what is required of them, and we need more and more of this <br /> kind of support for our island home community. I also agree that Kumu Hou has the potential to <br /> create a more resilient and diverse hospitality industry that yields the same economic benefits <br /> from fewer visitors. Kumu Hou in Hawaiian language is about returning to the source and <br /> finding new ways to do what we need to, thrive better than before. <br /> Let us recalculate development to place community needs in front like creating a place for <br /> workforce housing to fulfill a desperate need. So many vulnerable workers struggle with every <br /> night. Let us continue to improve plans for projects like Kumu Hou that create infrastructure <br /> within the resort footprint, where the visitor is best cared for. I grew up during a time in Hawaii <br /> where the living places of us those who live, work and play were more respected and not <br /> intruded upon by vacation rental. Kumu Hou is thoughtful development that starts to call in new <br /> models our community is seriously standing up for in these ever-changing times. I believe <br /> Waikoloa Land Company is taking serious measures to protect and preserve the environment and <br /> prioritize community benefit. I need you to thoughtfully continue to approve projects like this. <br /> Projects that work with and for the community more and more. It's our kuleana as citizens of <br /> these challenging times and we can figure this out. Aloha and Happy Holidays. <br /> VITOUSEK: Mahalo. Next up, we have Laura Haase-Yamada. <br /> HAASE-YAMADA: Hi everybody can you hear me, okay? <br /> VITOUSEK: Yes. <br /> HAASE-YAMADA: I did send a letter, and I also sent a couple of attachments on Tuesday <br /> before the deadline. I'm not going to completely read my letter because, as you said, you've <br /> already received it. But I am going to stress a few points in my letter. I just want everybody to <br /> 3 <br /> EXHIBIT A <br />