2011-05-04 Windward Planning Commission Hearing Transcript SP 11-115

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education for many Puna students who would not have the opportunity for such a rich learning experience elsewhere. The given property is in the proximity of central Pāhoa town, allowing Puna district students with limited transportation options to easily access the school. Since HAAS offers an education teeming with classes and programs befitting the needs of a range of many people, from aspiring athletes, to future science scholars, it provides an optimal choice for many. This means that children who would otherwise be stuck in unhappy school situations due to restraints such as transportation out of Puna or financial issues have an enriching classroom environment that is free of charge and close to home. Other students (such as myself) commute all the way from Hilo (or even Papaikou) to come to programs at the ASC/HAAS property that serve them. I have gone to quite a few Hawaii schools, none of which suited me. After never staying at the same school for more than a year in a row my mother and I came across one of HAAS’ programs, and decided to give it a try. The school was great, the education and academics superb, and the teacher(s) stellar. It is, by far, my favorite school I have attended so far. I have made very close friends, and bullying rates seem to be much lower than at other schools I have attended. This is probably because HAAS actually approaches the bullying problem and has even implemented itself in a school-wide anti-bullying program to prevent harassment. HAAS is the first school I have stayed at for multiple school years. I have been to multiple HAAS programs, all of which inspired me to learn. HAAS also has allowed me to excel into higher grades, which gives me the opportunity to learn things important to me. This shows HAAS’ commitment to accommodate its students as best as it possibly can. HAAS offers unique programs such as Hui Malama, which has a hands-on based educational philosophy. Their students do field work, much of it beneficial to their learning and also supportive of the Hawaiian Ecosystem, such as tracking sea turtles. If all this doesn’t clarify why HAAS is such a wonderful school deserving to be left running and intact, maybe this will. What are we going to do if HAAS does close down? Where will we all go? It will be no easy task to fit a couple hundred students into Pāhoa schools. Now that would be a disaster! In additional all of HAAS’ previous students will be deprived of the good education they had. Also, what would it say about the values of our community? We are willing to permit a Kentucky Fried Chicken and Longs Drugs, but not a school? (Clapping) HAAS has given me, and many more, a wonderful education and has helped me grow to be a more helpful, intelligent person intent on giving back to our community. Please let HAAS remain the ripe tree of knowledge it is today, so that more generations of our children can play, grow, and learn in the HAAS community. (Clapping) KERN: Thank you very much. Very impressive. I wish I could speak that good even at 30 (Audience laughing). Any questions for the testifier? Seeing none, thank you. Brooks Maloof. MALOOF: My name is Brooks Maloof. I’m on the ASC Board as a volunteer, and I’m proud to be there, and this is a real good example of why I am proud. Along with Steve Hirakami, I followed the development of the school over the years; and it’s just an amazing program and opportunity for Puna’s, and actually the East side, students. I’m a little concerned after reading the Planning Department’s recommendations. I think they did a great job analyzing the situation. However, again, just concurring 11 EXHIBIT A