2011-05-04 Windward Planning Commission Hearing Transcript SMA 221

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Position in Response to the Sixteen Intervenors’ Motion to Disqualify Planning Commissioner Ishibashi. With that, that concludes our presentation. Are there any questions? KERN: Any questions for staff? Seeing none, is there, well, we received a letter earlier from Commissioner Ishibashi, and that letter states that basically he is recusing himself from this vote. Is that correct, Commissioner Ishibashi? ISHIBASHI: If I could read the letter? KERN: Yes, please do. ISHIBASHI: Okay, just for the record. I am Wallace A. Ishibashi Jr. I live at 27-469 Old Māmalahoa Highway, Pāpa‘ikou, Hawai‘i. I am aware that the County Code of Ethics requires officers to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct in order to maintain the public's trust and confidence. It has been noted by the Intervenors that I was observed wearing a Hu Honua t-shirt at an event. I would like to state for the record that this event was an informational meeting held by Department of Health for the community input. It was open to the public and, as a resident of the area and an interested member of the community, I attended with several members of my family. At that meeting, Hu Honua gave away free t-shirts to everyone in attendance who wanted them. I did take a t-shirt and put it on during the meeting. I did not speak in support or in opposition of the project. Though I do not believe that my actions were in any way incompatible with the proper discharge of my duties on this Commission and I do not believe that my ability to act in a fair and impartial manner in this case has been impaired in any way, it has become evident that some members of the public believe that my actions make it appear that I may in some way be improperly biased. I have had no personal financial gain from Hu Honua. My interest is to learn about current technology and about alternative energy to get off our dependence of fossil fuel. Geothermal, wind, solar, NH3, biomass, are topics I find interesting for the future of our island home. Therefore, although it is not required by law, in an abundance of caution, I am requesting to be excused from participating further or voting on this matter. Mahalo, Wallace. KERN: Thank you. Commissioner Au? AU: I myself would like to make a statement. I believe it is public knowledge that I am the Big Island Field Representative for the Hawaii Carpenters Union Local 745. Although I don’t believe it is required or necessary, in order to err on the side of caution, I would like to disclose for the record that the Carpenters Union has an agreement with Hu Honua. I do not know the details of the agreement, nor was I involved in any way in its negotiation or execution. I have not had a conversation with the Applicant or any of its employees or representatives outside of the hearings before the Planning 2 EXHIBIT C