COMM. 42.12 from Matty Keith - Laserfiche WebLink

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9.29.11 I would like to testify regarding the proposed plans for redistricting concerning the Waikoloa, District 9 currently. Please distribute this to all members of the commission. I will also be testifying in person on Saturday, October 1, at 2pm in Waimea. As I understand it, District 9 includes a l l of South Koha la and North Koha la, these include the areas of Waikoloa, Waimea, Hawi, Kawaihae and Halaula. More explecitely it includes the Waikoloa Beach Resorts, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Hapuna, etc. I understand the need for redistricting the entire island to conform to the latest census and voting council districts. The most growth I agree with, citing West Hawaii over the last decade since the 2000 census. However, due to the economy, housing slump, and deteriorating of jobs in West Hawaii coupled with high unemployment, there has also been mass exiting from the area after the census was made. I also understand that the Resorts along the Koha la Coastline as mentioned above may have different concerns to be addressed via county council than that of Waikoloa Village, Waimea, Hawi, Kawaihae, etc. In respect to towns, Waimea, Hawi, Kawaihae may have a lot in common and would benefit from county council representation. However, some of the concerns as a member of an association first, then a community member, may differ from that of those towns. None of those towns in the existing District 9 is an Association, yet there are several in the District that are associations, but they are also gated communities, in which Waikoloa Village is not. I am particularly concerned with the idea to split Waikoloa Village in half as demonstrated by some of the plans that are being considered currently. Any plan that would keep Waikoloa Village as a whole along with other areas I would definitely be interested in, such as your plan 40 at this time. Waikoloa Village as you know has approximately 7,400 residents in the Waikoloa Village Association. The other areas that are located in the village but not a part of the wa i koloa village association is the Paniolo Estates, Kekumu low income housing, the housing complex on the side of the post office, and the new development that is being built next to Kekumu called Kamakoa Nui workforce housing. It is my interest that eventually, Waikoloa Village will have No Association and become a town like Waimea, Hawi, Kailua -Kona, etc. By spliting the council district and splitting Waikoloa Village in anyway whatsoever, would preclude the possibility of achieving this objective. If the commissioners would give consideration to these points that I have made on behalf of myself and others, we would appreciate it. Sincerely, Matilda "Matty" Keith COMM. 42.12