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ESLIT:My name is Greg Eslit. My name is Greg Eslit. Im from Pahala. I grew
<br />up here and went to school. And right now Im kind of representing my family and my
<br />cababayan, my compadre because of, for one thing or another, theyre at work, or theyre
<br />basically language barrier. During back in the early 40s there was a lot of immigrants that came
<br />to Pahala and we worked with them, and all this thing. And when I was old enough to work in
<br />the, this is a short story, when I was early, when I came here and going to school I had a job at
<br />Pahala Hospital; and I was making 19 cents an hour, four hours there. Saturdays and Sundays,
<br />we worked out in the canefield, hey, you make cut cane, 3 cents a bundle for 200 pounds. But
<br />then the military grabbed me and says, hey, Ill take your cut cane knife and give you a ride
<br />home. After I served my hitch I came back, hey, my job was still here, but I want to get a
<br />family. With 19 cents an hour I said no, no, no no, its not enough, I cant even support myself.
<br />So I went out. And I came back, hey, whats happening? Theres no plantation, no nothing. But
<br />the people from the old country came here, worked, and they were hardworking people. But
<br />then like the plantation they were kind enough, and Savio backed us up, and, hey, we got to, we
<br />wereabletoget5acres.AndIknowthatsomeofyousaidtherewasadroughtandallthis
<br />thing, but, hey, they went ahead and collect buckets of water to get out to the field, water their
<br />coffee land and let it grow. They suffered through all these things.
<br />And so now Im just hoping that, you know, hey, please pass this thing through because this
<br />family, these people worked so hard. Theyre not asking for anything, they just want to be able
<br />to chance to take care their family and raise their family. And so, you know, this is our only
<br />chance. I know according to the paper Jacobson said he had a better deal. But, you know, thats
<br />only word; and word like they said is very cheap. He has never come out and offered anything.
<br />And Savio gave us a chance that, hey, the price of the property is equivalent to a car. You can
<br />always keep for five years and not buy a shiny car and get a 5-acre property. So, please, Im
<br />asking for the Board members to think about this thing because the people are trying to make a
<br />living. Thank you.
<br />ALAMEDA:Thank you. Any questions for our testifier. Commissioner Siracusa.
<br />SIRACUSA:Are you one of the current licensees or do you plan to buy one of these
<br />parcels?
<br />ESLIT:No, Im the third of the pecking order. I used to live right here so like I
<br />said I was the third pecking order, and I was fortunate enough to have my name of the list. Yes,
<br />I do have.
<br />ALAMEDA:Any questions? All right, will you please state your name and address and
<br />you may proceed.
<br />YAMASAKI:Howard Yamasaki, Honaunau, South Kona. Chairman Alameda, Member
<br />of the Commission, Id like to represent two organizations at this particular time. I am the
<br />secretary for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and I would like to read into the public record
<br />a portion of our written testimony that you have before you.
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