2021-11-23 Redistricting Commission minutes (8th Session Part 1)

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population from the two population centers on the island. So, like I said, either Council 1 has to move, take more of Waimea, or more of Hilo, or a little bit of both. It's the same for Council 6. It has to take more of Kona, or more of the Volcano, closer to Hilo side, or a little bit of both. We have to give and take here a little bit. Thank you. KOSSOW: Thank you, Mr. Hustace. Any other discussion? LUL This is Commissioner Lui. KOSSOW: Ms. Lui. LUL I just wondered what Commissioner Akamu had to say about that. Because he talked last time about Ka`u as well. In terms of which way to split 6. Thanks. AKAMU: Yeah, this is Commissioner Akamu. KOSSOW: Mr. Akamu. AKAMU: What I don't like about this map is, I think it includes too much of Mountain View and Eden Roc and all of those areas into Ka`u. I know that's not what the people in those communities want. So, I would support pushing more into south Kona, rather than pushing more into Glenwood and up into Eden Roc, all the way up into Fern Acres. I think that's just a little too far. Also, when I think about Ka`u, traditionally, as Commissioner Yoshina has said, Ka`u is more connected to south Kona. The kupuna would call the area Kona-Ka`u. Also, when you look at the traditional boundaries of Ka`u, it stretches from Volcano. So, above Volcano is the Keauhou Forest, above the Volcano Golf Course. That Keauhou Forest is the same Keauhou that's in south Kona, where the shopping center is. So the traditional boundary goes all the way from Volcano side on the east end, all the way up right over Mauna Loa down to Keauhou on the Kona side. So, Kona is connected to that area traditionally. It was one water shed owned by, or traditionally cared for, by one ali`i. So traditionally, I think pushing it to Kona does maintain a long traditional and ancestrial connection between the two places. So, that's what I would support more. Additionally, I appreciate Commissioner Yoshina's comments. Because splitting Ka`u down the middle would disenfranchise the southern population. Because,just by the small number of people there, banding together is what allows the people there to have a voice through their vote. And traditionally, when we push further into Hilo or Kona, that's where our representatives would come from, rather than from the southern district. But looking everything in totality, there does need to be give and take between all of the districts. And so, I think if we can work towards pushing more into Kona to alleviate trying to take Eden Roc, Glenwood, into Ka`u. I think that would favorable. Thank you. I yield. KOSSOW: Thank you, Mr. Akamu. Any other discussion? YOSHINA: Yeah, this is Dwayne again. 15