2007-05-24 TSUPERSTORE - Laserfiche WebLink

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other small lumber companies, they can go out of business, too. Just like me. And I protest, and I will hold banners to subject that there is no superstores here in Kona. And like brother Domingo said, which will it be, Hilo or Kona first, -- When we had our first Costco, we had the majority of the island coming here to Kona -- which traffic. But will the County or the State combine together to see what the problem is? Because our infrastructure here in Kona is no longer, not even progressing. I moved back home here back in 1979, and that’s how long I’ve been in business in Kona. But now I had to close my business because like we say in Hawaii, “Where have the mom & pop stores gone?” And I can vouch that there is only one store that carries all made-in-Hawaii products, it’s what, the lady sitting right here in this seat. And also I was doing that, too. And we support all the local arts and crafts people. But with the superstores come in, and I vouch for this, when Wal-Mart first came up, the manager of Wal-Mart and one of the assistant managers came into my shop, Alapaki’s, they tried to get me to get into the groove with them to open up a Hawaiian gift shop in the Wal-Mart right up here. And I knew that once I get in, they’ll take over me, and you know, and so forth on. But needless to say, I’m just here today to oppose the big, big superstores, and I fully support you folks on the panel. Mahalo. GRAHAM: Thank you, Mr. Tampos. KIMI: Aloha. My name is Billy Kimi, and I’m at 75-5816 Lupa Place in Kailua-Kona. I’m representing Kona Inn Shopping Village right here in Kona. And I just want to make a few comments because I’ve just found out about this. And I just want to remind everybody that we’re an island. We have a lot of island styles no matter where we are from. And I believe the local businesses have suffered enough in the past from all these Big Box brand companies that come over here to our islands. We are small; we don’t have the land like other places do. And it should stay simple, and let the regular business people move ahead and have an opportunity to do business with their families for the future. If Kona doesn’t maintain this type of a local retail culture and heritage on the Big Island or the State of Hawaii, there will be no reason for any of our tourists to come back and visit us over here. This is what it’s all about. We are on an island. I oppose not having superstores come into the Big Island of Hawaii or the State. Aloha. Thank you for letting me speak today. Everybody have a nice afternoon. GRAHAM: Thank you, Mr. Kimi. Any questions from any of our Commissioners? Commissioner Domingo? DOMINGO: One clarification, Mr. Kimi. Your last sentence was “I oppose not having superstores come to the Big Island.” Can you make it more clear for me? KIMI: Superstores, I do not wish to have anywhere on the State of Hawaii. Sorry. GRAHAM: Thank you. All right, thank you all four of you. I appreciate your testimony today. TESTIFIERS: Thank you. EXHIBIT E 9