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In the past, the gate at the intersection of Stardust and Kahakai Access Road was <br /> opened outside of school hours and on holidays. There was apparently a verbal <br /> community agreement with past principals of Kahakai Elementary that the gate would <br /> remain open when school was not in session. The current principal, Kori Takaki, <br /> decided to permanently lock the gate without a public hearing, consultation, or <br /> notification of the surrounding community. This year, Kahakai also disbanded the PTSA <br /> (Parent Teacher Student Association), so community parents no longer have any means <br /> of direct communication with each other and the PrincipaINP. It has been locked since <br /> the start of the 2023-2024 school year, blocking all traffic. Several requests have been <br /> made, asking the principal to address these concerns or to schedule a meeting to hear <br /> them, as well as parents volunteering to act as safety crossing guards at the <br /> intersection during pickup and dropoff hours, but all have been denied. The Department <br /> of Education also declines to take any action regarding opening the gate. <br /> Closing Summary <br /> This gate is detrimental to the community. Its closure was imposed without a fair public <br /> comment period and without good cause. It is endangering our lives and the lives of our <br /> Keiki, by blocking emergency access and evacuation and causing other unnecessary <br /> risks, and we urge you to hear this request to remove it. <br /> Testimony submitted by Jenisa Barr, a resident of Stardust Lane and a Parent of a <br /> Kahakai Elementary student. <br /> Attachment images: <br /> Image 1. County of Hawai'i Department of Civil Defense Tsunami Evacuation Map <br />