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While the pandemic has disrupted pretty much all aspects of daily life and served as a news <br /> source of stress and anxiety in local families, one thing that has emerged as a powerful source of <br /> positivity and resilience is physical activity. So we have an opportunity here to help out two <br /> Hawaii-based nonprofits dedicated to providing West Hawaii with facilities and training to <br /> foster personal growth, health, and wellness. The applicants have struggled to find appropriate <br /> facilities for their specific needs, and this site is particularly well suited to the proposed uses; it's <br /> centrally located in town, has the appropriate indoor space for the safety of the participants. Not <br /> only do these programs benefit the health and wellness physically,which is crucial in times like <br /> these,these programs foster community; they teach valuable life skills and promote good mental <br /> hygiene for the participants. <br /> I'd also like to address a typo in the application regarding the number of classes held at Kona <br /> Aerials, the gymnastics use. Originally, it was written as 20 classes per month, yeah, and that <br /> should read 20 classes per week. So my apologies for any confusion there. <br /> And in listing the details of the requested use,we wanted to be conservative and allow for some <br /> modest growth over the current levels. And while current enrollment at Kona Aerials is 25 team <br /> participants and 75 recreational participants,we listed in the permit application request was for <br /> 40 team participants and 96 recreational participants and those more conservative numbers for <br /> use to project for traffic impacts and the like. <br /> A lot of testimony focused on the history of this property, and,while it is relevant, I think we <br /> should really focus on requested use and its potential impacts evaluated against the criteria that <br /> are established for looking at Special Permits; are they unusual reasonable request; are they <br /> going to impact surrounding properties adversely; are they consistent with State Land Use law? <br /> And I think we'll see that each of those boxes were ticked for this application. And there are <br /> conditions that would help to remediate and ameliorate some of those past complaints against <br /> this property. <br /> So, with that in mind, I'll introduce the other representatives for this project. Ms. Logan is here <br /> as a representative of the landowner, Mr. Elisaga is here representing Nakuwana Foundation, and <br /> they are mainly to field questions should they arise; they are not planning on presenting anything <br /> formally. Ms. Guiffrida would like to say a few words to the commission and then would be <br /> happy to answer any questions. But I will confirm that we have all reviewed the conditions of <br /> approval and will comply with those going forward. Thank you. <br /> VITOUSEK: Thank you. So, Ms. Guiffrida, would you like to say something. <br /> GUIFFRIDA: Yes, thank you very much. Thank you everybody for your time this morning and <br /> for your consideration in this meeting and in this special use <br /> VITOUSEK: Actually, before you get going,just for our record,would you mind stating your <br /> name and the town that you live in? <br /> GUIFFRIDA: Yes,my name is Nanette Guiffrida, and I live in Kealakekua. <br /> 12 <br /> EXHIBIT B <br />