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to our current location, as we all do. As you can see by the tremendous support of our parents and members of the Kona community our school is quite a success story. In a time when public schools are at risk of being put under Federal restructuring for unsatisfactory student achievement levels, Innovations students performance on statewide testing out performs both district and state scores. As we see more and more public school students transferring to home schools, private schools and out of the state for their education, Innovations has a waiting list at every single grade level of families hoping to enroll their children. As the welfare of our children and our community continues to be a concern satisfaction rates among our students and their families are very high with students excited to come to school and eager to learn. While many public school teachers send their children to private schools for their education all of the members of our teaching staff with children of elementary age choose to send their children to Innovations as do many teachers in the public schools here in Kona. Innovations must continue to be allowed to provide the excellent academic program it offers to families in the Kona community. With its well rounded approach to education focusing on integrating the arts into its academicprogramInnovationsisprovingthatstudentscanachieveexcellenceacademically, take risks and enjoy learning. It is a model for the education system and an asset to the Kona community. I urge you to support this vital part of our community and education system. Everyone is looking for ways to improve the education system for our children. Innovations is proving that positive change can take place. You can support Innovations efforts and encourage its continuance by approving this Special Permit Application before you. Without a location Innovations will have to close its doors. The Kona Community cannot afford to lose such a vital asset. Our children, our families and our community needs Innovations Public Charter School. The families we serve and the staff that work to provide this amazing learning environment to our students already travel the Queen Kaahumanu Highway on a daily basis. We are already there. I do not believe that relocating our school to the proposed site would negatively impact this stretch of road. The benefits provided to these families and students as well as to the community at large far outweigh any of the concerns regarding traffic. We are all members of this community. We are all frustrated with the traffic woes we face. But the relocation of Innovations Public Charter School should not pay the price for our infrastructure concerns. I urge you to accept this Special Permit Application and I also invite you visit Innovations Public Charter School. Its a great place to be. Mahalo. GALDONES:Commissioners any questions of Ms. Hiro? If not maam? LEANIO:Aloha my name is Kanani Leanio. My address is 75-149 Lunapule Road. Id like to take this time to thank you for listening to my testimony. I am a parent who values education and two of my children attend or still is attending Innovations Public Charter School. My childrens experiences at Innovation has surpassed my expectations. I have seen my first child a shy boy who hated attending school, who hated attending regular public wanting to drop out of school at the age of 8. He turned into a young man who loves school. In the regular public school I was told that my child read well but yet across the room I could see that my sons book was upside down. What was I, a loving mother to do? My second child did well in the regular public school but was missing that self motivation that he can do it attitude. After attending Innovations Public Charter School both of my children are doing better than I expected. They have the same love for education attitude their mother has. And I know they will succeed because of the guidance the staff at the Innovations Public Charter School has given 19 EXHIBIT D