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DOMINGO: You know, I’m wondering what’s the Planning Director’s concern <br />with regard to him initiating his own bill if in fact it would address the concerns that the Council <br />may have, or probably not at all. And I think, from what I’m hearing, the Council’s concern is <br />the impact the so-called superstores will create within the community, be it rather infrastructural <br />impact or their effect on surrounding businesses in a particular area. So I don’t know if those <br />concerns would be addressed also. If not, then, you know, I think his amendment is just <br />redundant and would not accomplish anything at all. I think we need to decide in actuality in <br />plain words why we don’t want superstores. And I don’t think superstores are totally negative, <br />have a negative impact on a community. Of course, we’ve heard instances where some of these <br />stores have created their own problems from where they are in the mainland. And so far, I <br />haven’t seen or heard anything like that happening here on the Big Island or in the State. So I <br />think before we even consider doing this, we just need to look at its economic impact and impact <br />on other probably social issues that may or may not be there. Thank you. <br />GRAHAM: Commissioner Siracusa? <br />SIRACUSA: Actually, I think that what the Director’s proposed resolution does <br />is the opposite of what the County Council’s generated -. Because the County Council is saying <br />basically no to superstores, and the Director’s resolution by saying, well, we can only put it in an <br />S zone district is enabling superstores. So I think they are quite opposed, and depending on how <br />you feel about the issue, that seems to be the way, you know, that one would choose to vote; <br />whether you believe that superstores are a good thing and would do all the things they are saying <br />they would do, lower prices, blah blah blah, or if you feel that they are too intrusive, it would <br />destroy other local smaller businesses, and all the other things that are being said on the other <br />side. I think it’s an either-or. I think they’re diametrically opposed, the two resolutions. <br />GRAHAM: Okay, thank you. I think we can probably discuss some of these <br />issues a lot better in our next meeting when we have the Planning Director present, and really <br />today what we’re here to do is get public input as much as possible. Jeff? <br />DARROW: Just for note, I want to bring to the attention as well. The Planning <br />Department has received numerous letters on this item, basically many for support, many of <br />opposition, so just mixed coming in from the letters as well. <br />GRAHAM: All right. Thank you, Jeff. I have nine folks signed up to testify <br />here today, so maybe I can take four at a time. And since we are late and are tired, I would hope <br />you could be concise and to the point, and just let us know how you feel about this as clean and <br />crisply as you can. I’ll read off four names, and if you folks would all come forward up to the <br />table: Brian Halsey, Craig Nishida, Marie Aguilar and Richard Bryant. It looks like maybe <br />somebody had to go home. So I also have a Rhonda Ulysse signed up. Maybe Rhonda could <br />come up, if she is here. All right, we’ll go with what we have. So could I ask the three of you <br />now to raise your right hands, please, and do you swear or affirm to tell the truth today on this <br />matter to the Hawaii County Planning Commission? <br />TESTIFIERS: Yes. <br />EXHIBIT E <br />4 <br /> <br />