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From: Dena Smith Ellis <br /> To: WPCtestimony <br /> Cc: iohnCablandolanninahawaii.com;robertisilberCabamail.com <br /> Subject: Special Permit Request PL-SPP-2022-000016 <br /> Date: Wednesday,January 4,2023 10:33:57 AM <br /> Dear members of the Windward Planning Commission, <br /> Aloha! My name is Dena Smith Ellis and I am writing to give testimony in favor of Special <br /> Permit Request PL-SPP-2022-000016. I have known Robert for more than 10 years and have <br /> always found him to have a high level of integrity. He is kind, compassionate,patient, <br /> forgiving, considerate, and also very hard-working. <br /> As the former secretary of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance and as a lower Puna <br /> community member since 2010, I have witnessed how hard Robert has worked to create a <br /> sustainable neighborhood that provides a place for people to live safely and peacefully while <br /> growing their own food in harmony with nature. He has invested time and money, as well as <br /> blood, sweat, and tears into developing a wellness center for the last 10 years, which has <br /> employed many people in an area of the island that has very few job opportunities. And rather <br /> than following the Puna norm of cutting corners and disregarding building codes, Robert has <br /> been in integrity by constructing a high quality of infrastructure with permitted buildings. <br /> I have had the pleasure of staying at Lolia several times over the last few years so I've had the <br /> opportunity to spend close time with Robert. I've witnessed his dedication to ensuring <br /> harmony and safety on the land as he quickly and graciously addresses any concerns with <br /> staff, guests, and neighbors. Unfortunately, like many high-profile and successful lower Puna <br /> community leaders, Robert has had his unfair share of occasional unkind words and actions of <br /> malicious, vindictive, and jealous people. This is the unfortunate reality of the underbelly of <br /> Puna. However, rather than retaliate and lower his standards, Robert instead opens his heart <br /> with compassion and responds with love and understanding. I respect and admire his strength <br /> and vulnerability as he gracefully demonstrates how these two qualities can co-exist. <br /> As a mother and a property owner in nearby Seaview Estates, I applaud Robert's efforts and <br /> would like to see more high-quality community-focused developments like the Lolia <br /> neighborhood. We need more places that support people and families with employment and <br /> educational opportunities in the economic desert of lower Puna. <br /> In summary, I would like to reiterate my testimony in favor of granting Robert Silber his <br /> special permit request. <br /> With much aloha, <br /> Dena Smith Ellis <br /> Dena Smith Ellis, INHC, NBC-HWC, CIHC, FRSPH,MBA <br /> denasmithellis@gmail.com <br />