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many communities as has been spoken of before. I really like Plan 40. I appreciate it and I think it keeps a lot of things intact. There are still problems associated with it, but it is just a difficult task for the Redistricting Commission in any regard. But I'll just keep it short and say that I prefer Plan 40, I think it does a better job of keeping the island and the communities in homogeneous nature. Keep working at it, you are getting very close. Thank you so much. CHR. SIRACUSA: Thank you. We now move to Pahoa. MS. LIVELY: Thank you, we now have Pete Altomare, and he is speaking on Plan-40 and on Plan—A. PETE ALTOMARE (At this time Pete Altomare came forward via videoconference from Pahoa to address members of the Commission.) MR. ALTOMARE: I would like to say good morning to the Commission. Thank you for your time and trouble and your efforts over the last few months. Pretty much what I would like to say is that since we are down to Plan _40 in its most recent iterations and Plan A, I have to strongly support Plan 40, with some reservations regarding Volcano. I believe due to their participation in the Puna Community Development Plan, and the feelings there that they belong to Puna, should remain in Puna; but that is something for further discussion on the part of the Commission. I have serious problems with Plan _A in terms of what it does to Hamakua. I do not want Hilo to have three districts, since Puna and Central South Hilo have 45,000 residents and are essentially entitled to the same representation. Attempts to expand representation on the part of either Puna or South Hilo are not acceptable. I think that Hamakua should be pretty much retained as is. I think Waikoloa should remain as a part of North Kohala. I would add, parenthetically, the request to the Redistricting Commission to please recognize the possibility, that since there has been so much discussion, that it is so difficult to properly redistrict, and take everybody's interests into account, that it might be worthwhile to request, or ask, or put on the table, as I certainly am to the Redistricting Commission at this point, an expansion in the number of districts as allotted in this County to allow for proper representation of all the people here. I am thinking along the lines of instead of nine districts, we would have at least 15 or 17 districts to properly allow for representation that everybody seems to be requesting. I think that smaller districts, and more face to face contact between the elected representatives and their constituents is important. I understand that may be, or can, but I am requesting that you make that recommendation. Whether you want to or not, that is up to the Commission. CHR. SIRACUSA: Thank you. That would be a change in the County Charter, and we couldn't do it this time around. Our next testifier is here in Hilo, and that is Billie Whitney. BILLIE WHITNEY (At this time Billie Whitney came forward to address members of the Commission.) 10