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rules, that the application for standing is defective and should not be granted on that <br />basis. <br />KIM:May I respond? <br />SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Kim? <br />KIM:It is clear that the government function of the Commission is to <br />assist its citizens. The document requesting standing was timely filed with the requisite <br />$100. This is not a poll tax where a technical violation keeps people from voting. We do <br />not build barriers to keep people from addressing and redressing issues such as contested <br />case hearings from our public citizens. It is clear that such a technical violation such as <br />this will not stand on appeal. The practical ramifications are if the Commission denies <br />based upon this purely technical defect, then there will be an appeal. And you can go <br />forward, but I can tell you right now the case law in Hawaii will show that this kind of <br />technical violation for standing will not keep people from the access to the government. <br />The letter and the spirit of the rule were complied with. We have indicated our basis, the <br />technical compliance clearly. And I want to focus on this Commission members, what <br />prejudice has been levied on the Applicant by this technical violation? Nothing. Because <br />the Association, as admitted by the ApplicantÓs representative, has standing. They are <br />right next door to this proposed development. Hawaii law on standing is liberal. The <br />courts in this jurisdiction will not support the denial of standing to satisfy a technical <br />requirement. <br />And, more important, the counsel for the County has already advised you that you have <br />the discretion to waive these technical defaults or requirements. And, so, in the interest <br />of substantial and fairness, as far as addressing matters on the merits, especially, and I <br />would point out to you, especially when my client is only Intervenor of the public in this <br />case, by denying the application and the petition for contested case hearing, you are, in <br />effect, denying the public access to your forum. And, so, on that basis, I would strongly <br />urge that you grant the Petition for Contested Case hearing. Thank you. <br />SPRINGER:Thank you, Mr. Kim. Mr. Mooers, any follow-up? <br />MOOERS:Yeah, I think there is a damage. My client has already waited four <br />months to proceed with this hearing under the assumption that they could reach an <br />agreement with the AOAO, which weÓve attempted to do on numerous <br />contested case, denying a contested case does not mean that they cannot address issues <br />related to this application. TheyÓve had every opportunity to provide testimony which <br />they have, and they continue to have the opportunity to provide testimony. We did not <br />deny them access to the contested case proceedings. They did th <br />defective filing. <br />As far as the Corporation Counsel advising that the Commission can overlook technical <br />deficiencies, my question would simply be then, please provide us with the list of rules <br />that we have to abide by and those that we donÓt. I mean, if theyÓre arbitrary and we <br />4 <br /> <br />