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May 18, 2023 <br /> Aloha, <br /> My name is Tianna Morimoto and I am writing to share my testimony about my experience <br /> with Kona Aerials and why I believe you should vote in favor of granting the Special Use Permit <br /> (No. 21-000227) to this athletic facility. <br /> Firstly, I want to start off by saying I would not be the person I am today it wasn't for Kona <br /> Aerials and my time in gymnastics. I started the sport when I was 6 years old, and continued <br /> until I graduated high school at 18. For those 12 years, I learned the values of perseverance, <br /> discipline, overcoming fears and accomplishing goals. <br /> Gymnastics shaped me into a motivated and strong woman. While some of my friends spent <br /> their afternoons sitting on a couch playing video games, I was in the gym training for 16 hours a <br /> week. Not only was I getting physically stronger, but mentally too as gymnastics is a sport <br /> where your constantly learning new skills, gaining strength, facing your fears, and doing what <br /> some may think is impossible. I was able to level up and compete in meets on Oahu and the <br /> mainland, and place in state championships and international competitions. <br /> Next, gymnastics also taught me discipline. Every day, I would finish school, go to practice, <br /> come home eat dinner, do my homework, sleep, and repeat. This routine helped me keep a <br /> high GPA and graduate from high school with honors. <br /> In 2012, 1 suffered a knee injury that required surgery and physical therapy. Through the <br /> support of Kona Aerials, I persevered, competed again, and won a state championship on vault <br /> the following year. While others would've quit and moved on, the support of Kona Aerials <br /> helped me overcome that situation and taught me the importance of never giving up. <br /> All of the lessons I've learned from Kona Aerials have stuck with me throughout my life and I've <br /> applied them when faced with challenges in my education and career. To conclude, I believe <br /> kids in Kona need a type of athletic facility in our community where they can learn, grow, be <br /> challenged, face their fears and thrive. I am forever grateful for my time with Kona Aerials. <br /> I hope you make the right decision to grant the Special Use Permit so Kona Aerials can continue <br /> to positively impact the kids in the Kona community. <br /> Mahalo, <br /> Tianna Morimoto <br />