2021-12-14 Redistricting Commission Public Hearing minutes (Final 1 of 2)

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RICHARDS: Aloha. My name is Herbert M. Richards, III (the third), better known as Tim Richards. Thank you to the Redistricting Commission for allowing me to testify this evening. I come with a little bit of unique perspective on this. I am currently the sitting Council Member for District 9, North/South Kohala. I will not be seeking re-election to that seat. I wanted to voice my concern going forward because I come from a very unique perspective, having represented that district for the last five plus years. District 9 is very unique in my mind. And the fact that we have some very strong districts and very strong communities. And this is all about representing those communities. I always think of Waik6loa area, North Kohala, the whole district, and Waimea as three very distinct areas that have their own needs that tie them together. My concern in looking at these new maps, is that we are going to be stretching that out. In this new redistricting, Waimea for the most part, is going to be excluded from District 9, and moved to District 1. I see that as a problematic for the district as a whole and for Waimea, especially. Additionally, to pick up some of the population, we'll be picking up some of North Kona. Again, very special area, but it doesn't have a lot in common with North Kohala or Waimea or Waik6loa. So, again I see that as an issue. It is challenging to represent the district as a whole because each of these communities have their own needs. And the fact that we're removing most of Waimea from the district, where District 9 is truly Waimea, and that is the heart. I see that problematic. I see it a problem for the community being well represented. And I also see it a problem for the future council members, whoever they may be, to represent the districts. Because it's very diverse, very spread out and will be difficult to find and see the needs of all of those community. I appreciate your time and thank you very much for this opportunity to testify. KOSSOW: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Relley, let's go ahead and go onto the Zoom platform. ARACELEY: Thank you, Chair. Your first testifier is Ms. Francine Roby. Francine, if you could unmute your mic and provide your testimony, you have three minutes starting now. ROBY: Thank you. I'm Francine Roby on Old Mamalahoa Highway in Honoka`a. Resident and property owner in `Ahualoa Homesteads. So, I would be Hamakua, District 1. I think that redistricting is an important part of our democracy and equal representation of our citizens. And I was honored to work on the 2020 U.S. Census, and see how that information, that I collected, leads to forming our State and County district maps. And I looked through Chapter 36 of the Hawaii County Charter, which seems very thoughtful and warns of ways that fairness could be endangered by improper redistricting. I appreciate the involvement of fellow County residents who serve in the nine positions on the Commission. And I appreciate the County's transparency in this process and providing multiple opportunities for community input, even during the COVID limitations. I don't think there are perfect answers, but it seems to me the proposed map moving Hamakua's northern line up into Waimea, to add the population evenness, makes good sense. With more commonality between the Hamakua area, than moving further south into the Hilo neighborhoods, which seems more urban. Less agricultural. Less ranching area. So, I support the proposed map that moves the southern edge of the district 2