2021-10-25 Redistricting Commission Public Hearing minutes (District 5)

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EDWARDS HUNT: Hi, Tiffany Edwards Hunt. I'm a resident of District 4. First of all, I'd like to thank Cori with the Elections Division for trying to help me navigate the proposed maps tonight. I do want to say for the record that it's really difficult to navigate and I don't even know if I saw the right map. She said there's eleven proposed maps. I've only been able to, on my phone, look at one. I would like an email of the map, proposed maps, sent to newswoman@mac.com. I don't know whose idea it was, but we have the proposed—or we have the census numbers on the current council district maps here enlarged, but we don't see any of the maps here. And everybody is really kidding themselves if they think that the County website is easy to navigate. It's not. But I do want to tell you that, the one map that I saw, is a proposal to split Hawaiian Paradise Park on the makai side. So, that essentially will affect me. I'm not going to state my address because I really don't feel comfortable doing that. But I want to tell you that I don't think that Hawaiian Paradise Park and the rural district of Pana`ewa really have much in common. I know that this is a challenge. I've witnessed it before as a reporter. Trying to make sure that you have the blocks lined up and that you want to make sure that your communities are compatible. And this is going to be a huge challenge to try to compensate for the fact that Kea`au and Mountain View have grown by 7,000 people since 2010. And we need those three council seats because we have seen the fastest growth. I'm sorry for Hilo, that they're only going to have two council members, but this really, really is very important. And it's sad that so few people can access this meeting and the information because it's going to have profound effects on their lives. I know firsthand how important this really is for the next ten years. And so, if you can do your part in trying to spread the word by giving maps, by making the websites easier, then I think we can help spread the word a little bit more. I don't know how many meetings you're having, but it sounds like they're very sparsely attended. In part because of the pandemic, and in part because people don't really understand what this is about. And that's the sad story. Also concerning to me, is that we have 24,000 people in Council District 5, Puna. And I'm out of time but I want to tell you that it's extremely just difficult for that district to wrap around all the way down to Kalapana when it represents upper Puna. So, I think that anybody who actually drives that district knows that that would be an imposition. And it would, I think, not give equal representation under the law. So, thank you for allowing me to provide my input. I know that my time is up. Aloha. HUSTACE: Aloha. We appreciate your time and your testimony. Thank you. (Pause) Aloha! CERMELJ: Aloha, kakou. HUSTACE: Welcome. Thanks for joining us. We'll give youIf you could state your name and the district you live in, or general community if you'd like to, and Relley has a timer there for three minutes. We'd love to hear from you. Mahalo. CERMELJ: Alohalani Hope Cermelj, District 5. Matthew's our council person at this time. I have many questions. Number l: Who are all the Commissioners names? Where 2