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<br />December 13, 2022 <br />Mayor Mitch Roth <br />25 Aupuni Street Suite 2603, Hilo, HI 96720 <br />Dear Honorable Mayor Mitch Roth, <br />A motion was passed in a recent Hawaii County Game Management Advisory <br />Commission meeting, to address the Mayor regarding changes the Mayor's Office <br />has made to the Hawaii County GMAC meeting times and format. <br />Two months ago the meetings were abruptly changed from 6-8 pm to 2-4 pm., <br />zoom only. There was no public notice, no opportunity for commissioner <br />response, no time allowance to replace commissioners that could no longer <br />attend because of day job restrictions, and no fair chance for the commissioner's <br />to make other arrangements with day obligations and schedules. <br />The change to day hours/zoom only has also negatively affected public <br />participation. Fishers, hunters, and gatherers have daily schedules that prevent <br />them from attending and testifying. Kupuna and others tell us that they are not <br />computer savvy and that in-person attendance is a must. <br />Since 2014 GMAC has been meeting in the evening hours, and for years it was <br />held in the County Council Chambers. Evening public attendance and testimony <br />have been a cornerstone of the GMAC mission and meetings. <br />There is no understanding among GMAC commissioners and participants as to <br />why it was so necessary for the meetings to be changed, and would like to know <br />specific reasons for the new format. <br />GMAC would also ask, are there alternatives for in-person meetings and evening <br />time slots that would help us serve our mission? <br />Mahalo nui for your attention, <br />Abraham Antonio <br />GMAC Chairperson <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />